Employee Relations and Engagement Manager

The Department of Administration's (Admin) Human Resources office is seeking an experienced and service-oriented Employee Relations and Engagement Manager to lead key employee relations, performance management, leave administration, compliance, and engagement initiatives for the agency. This role is ideal for a collaborative HR professional who exercises sound judgment, communicates effectively, and is comfortable advising leaders through complex and sensitive employee matters.

The successful candidate will help promote consistent application of HR policies, strengthen manager and employee support, and foster a positive, compliant, and productive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will bring strong employee relations experience, excellent judgment, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced HR environment. This individual should be comfortable advising leaders, interpreting policy, handling confidential matters, developing practical solutions, and building strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.

This position is located onsite in Columbia, SC.

• Provide expert guidance managers and supervisors on employee relations matters, including employee complaints, investigations, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation. Oversees the exit interview and grievance review processes and represents the agency in mediations, grievance proceedings, hearings, appeals, and other employee relations matters.
• Partner closely with the HR Director and Legal Counsel on complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations issues.
• Serve as the agency's EEO Officer, including reviewing and responding to discrimination and harassment matters, SCHAC filings or charges, and completing Admin's annual EEO reporting process.
• Manage unemployment claims and represent the agency, as needed, before the SC Department of Employment and Workforce Appeal Tribunal.
• Ensure compliance with DOT random drug and alcohol testing requirements.
• Oversee the Employee Performance Management System program in Success Factors, monitor agency compliance, provide reports on upcoming performance reviews, and ensure accurate covered status and EPMS records in SCEIS.
• Develop and maintain tools, resources, and guidance for managers and employees related to performance planning, evaluations, improvement plans, and performance management processes.
• Lead and supervise the agency's Leave and Extended Leave Program, including FMLA, ADA, leave without pay, military leave, paid parental leave, and other applicable leave programs. Ensure leave programs are administered in compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, agency policy, and required deadlines.
• Provide guidance to employees and managers on leave matters; identify and monitor extended leave needs; coordinate required documentation; and ensure timely processing in SCEIS. Collaborate with Benefits and Payroll teams to monitor leave records, ensure accuracy, and help prevent payroll over payments.
• Develop, implement, and manage agency wide employee engagement initiatives, including Public Service Recognition Week and other programs that support employee connection and recognition.
• Lead strategic and operational improvements aligned with agency goals, HR priorities, and organizational needs. Coordinate special projects and collaborate across HR functional areas to ensure successful implementation.
• Oversee Employee Relations training initiatives, including New Employee Orientation content, and partner with Internal Training leadership as a subject matter expert or trainer for ER-related topics.
• Coach, train, and support assigned staff through…