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PEOPLE RELATIONS CONSULT SR DUHS
Job Title: PEOPLE RELATIONS CONSULT SR DUHS
Job Code: 5699
FLSA: E
Job Level: H1
Revised Date: 05/22/2026
Supervisory Responsibility: No
General Description of the Job Class
The People Relations Senior Consultant serves as a lead subject matter expert within DUHS People Relations, independently managing complex and high risk employee relations matters across DUHS entities. This role partners closely with HR Business Partners, operational leaders, Legal, and other stakeholders to provide advanced consultation, conduct complex investigations, and support consistent application of employment policies and practices. The Senior Consultant also serves as a mentor and escalation resource for other People Relations team members.
Duties and Responsibilities of this Level
Advanced People Relations Consultation - Serves as a senior subject matter expert providing advanced, independent consultation to executive leaders, HR Business Partners, and operational leadership on the most complex, sensitive, and high risk people and labor relations matters. Advises on issues involving significant organizational, reputational, or legal risk, balancing workforce strategy, employee experience, and regulatory compliance within a highly complex academic medical center environment.
Complex Investigations & Strategic Case Oversight - Leads and oversees the most complex investigations, including allegations of serious misconduct, systemic workplace issues, discrimination, retaliation, or repeat patterns of concern. Determines investigative strategy, conducts or directs fact finding, evaluates evidence, and develops defensible findings and recommendations. Provides oversight and guidance to Consultants and Associate Consultants on investigation approach, documentation standards, and risk considerations.
People Relations Expertise & Escalation Support - Provides advanced labor relations expertise, including interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, grievance strategy, and support for complex labor matters. Partners with People Relations leadership and Legal on labor-related escalations, including grievance resolutions, arbitration preparation, or negotiations support, as appropriate. Serves as an escalation resource for labor matters requiring advanced judgment or system-wide alignment.
Risk Assessment & Executive Advisory Role - Conducts sophisticated risk assessments related to people and labor relations matters and advises senior leaders on mitigation strategies and potential downstream impacts. Identifies system-wide trends, emerging risks, and structural issues, elevating insights to People Relations leadership to inform strategy, policy, or operational changes.
Mentorship, Quality Assurance & Practice Leadership - Acts as a mentor and quality assurance resource for the People Relations team by coaching Consultants and Associate Consultants on case strategy, investigative rigor, documentation quality, and professional judgment. Reviews complex cases to ensure consistency, equity, and defensibility across DUHS. Contributes to the development of tools, guidance, and best practices that strengthen People Relations capability system-wide. Contributes to the development of tools, guidance, and best practices that strengthen People Relations capability system-wide.
System-wide Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives - Partners closely with People Relations leadership, HR Business Partners, Legal, and other stakeholders on system-wide wide initiatives, policy interpretation, and complex workforce challenges. Supports the development and implementation of People Relations strategies, training, and continuous improvement efforts aligned with DUHS values and long term organizational goals.
Required Qualifications at this Level
Education
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Law, or a related field is required. Master's degree or professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM- CP, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
Experience
Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible experience in employee relations, labor relations, human resources, or a related field, including independent management of complex and high-risk employee relations matters and investigations. Experience in a large, complex healthcare, academic medical center, or similarly regulated environment is preferred.
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of employment laws, HR policies, and employee relations best practices.
Proven ability to independently conduct complex investigations, assess organizational risk, and provide sound, well-reasoned to senior leaders.
Strong consultation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills with the ability to influence outcomes in sensitive situations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear investigative summaries and guidance.
Ability to mentor and guide other People Relations team members and serve as an escalation resource.
High degree of judgment, discretion, and professionalism required.
Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level
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.
Duke University 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, (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 ideas-an 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.
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.
