Entry Level Employee Relations Specialist Jobs

Title: Employee Development and Relations Specialist

Application Review Date: August 3, 2026

Campus Location: Radford City - Main Campus

Job Description

The Employee Development and Relations Specialist supports the University’s employee development, performance management, and organizational effectiveness initiatives through supervisor coaching, leadership development, workplace learning, and employee engagement strategies. This position serves as a resource to supervisors and employees by providing consultation, coaching, and training to strengthen leadership practices, improve employee performance, enhance workplace communication, and promote effective working relationships. The Specialist oversees and supports the University’s performance management process, develops resources and learning opportunities, and partners with departments to identify opportunities for organizational improvement. The position collaborates with Employee Relations and Compliance partners on workplace concerns, ensuring appropriate consultation and coordination when matters involve policy interpretation, employment compliance, or formal employee relations processes.

Required Qualifications

Strong professional experience in human resources with responsibility for employee development, performance management, talent management, employee relations, or a related area; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Demonstrated experience providing consultation, coaching, and guidance to supervisors, managers, and employees regarding performance management, workplace communication, conflict resolution, employee development, and strategies for addressing workplace concerns. Strong ability to build effective working relationships, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and handle sensitive employee matters with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, organizational development, industrial/ organizational psychology, higher education administration, or related field.
Experience working in a higher education environment or other complex organization.
Experience designing, facilitating, and evaluating leadership development or supervisor development programs.
Experience utilizing LMS and performance management systems.
Experience using employee engagement data, performance trends, or organizational assessments to identify opportunities for improvement and develop solutions.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employment Conditions: Must be willing to work some evening and weekends as required.

Is this position Grant Funded: No

Is this position restricted: No

Is this position eligible for telework: No (May be eligible for up to 1 day per week after probationary period)

Hours Per Week: 40

Months per Year: 12

Statement of Economic Interest Required: No

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Classification: Classified Staff

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. may include evenings and weekends as needed

Employee Classification: Human Resources Analyst II

Department: Human Resources

Salary: $59,700-$70,000

Department Contact Name: Leah Taylor

Department Contact Phone: 540-831-5008

Department Contact Email: lataylor3@radford.edu

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Radford University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years’ of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at Radford.edu/police. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the Radford University Police Department located at 810 East Main Street PO Box 6883, Radford, VA, 24142.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation in the application process please contact the hiring department.

Criminal Background Check Statement

Radford University is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all employees, students, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of our hiring and screening process, we conduct criminal background checks in compliance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389 and other applicable state and federal laws. Successful candidates will be required to have a criminal background check.