HR REPRESENTATIVE, SENIOR

HR Representative, Senior

The Human Representative, Senior for Facilities Management advises and supports departmental leadership and employees on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and the effective application of HR policies and procedures. This role plays a vital part in ensuring a respectful, equitable, and productive work environment by facilitating conflict resolution, supporting labor relations with unionized staff (e.g., Local 77), and driving strategic initiatives aligned with Duke University's commitment to a model workplace.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advise managers, supervisors, and employees on employee relations concerns, interpreting university and departmental HR policies and procedures.
• Recommend appropriate responses and interventions for individual and systemic concerns, including coaching, discipline, or policy clarification.
• Identify patterns or trends in employee concerns and recommend proactive solutions or policy improvements.
• Monitor and track attendance and other union-related activities for Union staff.
• Support investigations related to employee misconduct, grievances, or disputes, ensuring compliance with union agreements and institutional standards.
• Facilitate or assist with disciplinary actions and grievance processes.
• Collaborate with supervisors and HR leadership to support fair and consistent treatment of union employees.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in employee relations and labor relations within the Facilities Management environment.
• Train FMD leadership and HR staff on policy applications, conflict resolution, and respectful workplace practices.
• Stay current on HR trends and labor laws relevant to operational environments and union settings.
• Assist in the implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance employee engagement, career development, and workplace culture.
• Support university-wide projects such as employee opinion surveys, multicultural awareness programs, and conflict resolution initiatives.
• Identify organizational challenges or areas for improvement and recommend interventions.
• Regularly report to the HR Manager and Director on organizational trends, labor relations issues, and progress on initiatives.
• Prepare written documentation including reports, recommendations, and policy summaries.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3+ years of HR experience with a focus on employee or labor relations.
• Experience working with unionized workforces (e.g., Local 77), preferably in facilities, public works, or operations.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR policies, grievance procedures, and disciplinary best practices.
• Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and analytical skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and fairness.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in HR, Public Administration, or related field.
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with facilities management operations in higher education or healthcare settings.
• Experience using HRIS systems and tracking labor metrics.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $62,694.00 to USD $107,633.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideasan exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.