**Job Description** As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. **The** **School of Medicine** **has an outstanding opportunity for a** **Employee Relations Partner** **to join their team.** **Position Summary** The University of Washington School of Medicine (SoM) is seeking a skilled and trusted Employee Relations Partner (job profile: Human Resources Department Manager/Administrator) to play a pivotal role in fostering a fair, respectful, and inclusive workplace. Reporting to the SoM HR Director, this position serves as a key advisor to the Dean’s Office and executive leadership, providing expert guidance on complex and sensitive employee relations matters that impact the School at the highest levels. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in performance management, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and compliance, combined with exceptional judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to navigate challenging, high-stakes situations with discretion. This is an opportunity to influence workplace culture, support leadership decision-making, and help ensure that employment practices across one of the nation’s top academic medical schools are equitable, consistent, and aligned with organizational values and legal requirements. **Position Purpose, Complexities, and Impact to the University** The Employee Relations Partner provides expert guidance and resolution strategies for complex and sensitive employee relations matters within the Dean’s Office and executive-level cases across the School of Medicine. This position serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, managers, and supervisors, offering consultation on performance management, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation. Through proactive engagement, fair process, and adherence to federal, state, and University requirements, the Employee Relations Partner helps foster a respectful, inclusive, and productive work environment while mitigating organizational risk. This position operates in a highly complex and decentralized academic environment, requiring the ability to navigate sensitive and often high-stakes employee relations matters involving senior leadership and staff. The incumbent must interpret and apply multiple layers of policy, including federal and state employment laws, University regulations, and collective bargaining agreements, ensuring consistent and equitable application across diverse units. Work often involves managing emotionally charged situations with diplomacy and empathy while maintaining objectivity and professional boundaries. The role demands balancing urgency and thoroughness in issue resolution, building and maintaining trust with a wide range of stakeholders, and reprioritizing workload frequently to respond to unplanned, critical issues—all while safeguarding confidentiality and mitigating legal, reputational, and operational risks to the School of Medicine and the University. The Employee Relations Partner serves as a key advisor and problem-solver for the Dean’s Office and executive leadership across the School of Medicine, influencing employment-related decisions that directly affect workplace climate, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. The position impacts a broad range of stakeholders, including staff, managers, faculty leaders, and University HR partners, by ensuring that employee relations matters are addressed promptly, fairly, and in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and labor agreements. Effective performance in this role mitigates legal and financial risk, preserves the University’s reputation as an equitable and supportive employer, and fosters a positive employee experience that contributes to retention and engagement. Decisions and recommendations made by the incumbent carry significant weight and have long-term implications for both the School of Medicine and the University as a whole. **Duties and Responsibilities** Performance Management & Corrective Action (50%) + Advise and coach managers and supervisors on performance management, corrective action, and equitable employment practices. + Partner with the SoM HR Director, HR Shared Services Manager, and Dean's Office Sr. HR Business Partner to guide the development and review of Letters of Expectations (LOEs), Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), and other corrective documentation. + Maintain an employee relations case tracker and ensure timely resolution of active cases. Complaint & Conflict Resolution (25%) + Conduct intake meetings with managers, employees, and leadership to assess complaints, workplace conflicts, or allegations of misconduct. + Mediate disputes when appropriate, and determine if escalation is necessary to UWHR Human Resources Consultants and Labor Relations or other University offices. + Conduct or assist with fact-findings, investigations, and complaint resolutions; prepare summaries and recommendations for leadership. Policy, Rule, and Law Interpretation (10%) + Provide clear, consistent interpretation of University policies, state/federal laws, and collective bargaining agreements. + Evaluate department practices for compliance and process improvement, recommending adjustments that ensure regulatory adherence while supporting operational needs and sustainable HR/ER practices. + Develop standardized resources for SoM managers and HR staff, such as templates, conversation guides, and exit interview processes. + Maintain employee relations records in accordance with University retention policies, and collaborate with SoM and university offices to respond to public record requests. Workplace Violence, Leave, and Accommodation Consultation (10%) + Serve as a resource for managers and leadership on workplace safety concerns, including coordination with SafeCampus. + Provide general guidance on leave and accommodation procedures, ensuring employees and managers are connected to the appropriate offices and resources as needed. Training & Capacity Building (5%) + Develop and deliver training for SoM managers and leaders on employee relations best practices, performance management, policy interpretation, and conflict resolution. + Share lessons learned and emerging trends to build proactive ER capability across departments. + Support the SoM HR Director in high-level or sensitive employee relations cases across the SoM. + Assist with documentation, scheduling, and case preparation for layoffs, dismissals, and other employment actions. **Minimum Requirements** + Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business administration or other related field. Four to five years of work experience in human resources preferably at a diverse, multi-faceted organization. Equivalent experience may substitute for degree requirement. _Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration._ **Additional Requirements** + Demonstrated effective leadership background including team building, strategic delegation and task management. + Thorough knowledge of HR policies, procedures, principles, and practices. Personnel and salary administration, recruitment techniques and management. + Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral). + Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to write effective, useful, and timely documentation. + Experience with Workday or other human resource information system. + Ability to communicate in a diplomatic, friendly, yet effective manner with SoM leadership, faculty, staff, and central campus offices. + Ability to analyze needs, assess potential avenues, and implement creative solutions to ensure a steady flow of high-quality, high-achieving staff. + Highly organized, demonstrate ability to multitask in a consistently fast paced environment in an organized and efficient manner. Self-motivated, flexible, creative, ability to prioritize and be solutions orientated. + Ability to creatively solve problems to meet goals and objectives. + Exhibit a proactive, service-oriented manner and ability to deal effectively with a diverse and demanding client base. + Demonstrated success in working with diverse populations. + Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team. **Desired Qualifications:** + Familiarity with UW policies and systems, including proficiency in Workday. + Human resources and payroll experience at a large University setting. + Knowledge of Washington State employment law. + Knowledge of University of Washington human resource policies. + Experience in a unionized workplace. **Working Conditions** This position requires regular availability during the core working hours of 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with flexibility on remaining hours. Work in excess of 40 hours per week may be required to complete tasks, and work must be assessed independently and carefully to complete projects promptly. **Compensation, Benefits and Position Details** **Pay Range Minimum:** $80,892.00 annual **Pay Range Maximum:** $121,332.00 annual **Other Compensation:** - **Benefits:** For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/ **Shift:** First Shift (United States of America) **Temporary or Regular?** This is a regular position **FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):** 100.00% **Union/Bargaining Unit:** Not Applicable **About the UW** Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. **Our Commitment** The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu . Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) . University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.