Director of Labor Relations

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Department

Human Resources

Time Type

Full time

Work Modality

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union

Job Description:

Summary

Under the direction of the CHRO this position will manage and directs the labor relations for each of the staff bargaining units for the university. Program activities include negotiation of collective bargaining agreements; contract administration and interpretation; guidance and coordination of related management activities with HR employee relations and Provost labor relations liaison. This position will be responsible for managing grievances pertaining to the collective bargaining agreement and resolving disciplinary matters The Director of Labor Relations will serve as the first point of contact and advisor to academic and administrative departments on labor relations matters, and provide guidance relating to the interpretation and application of the CBAs and University policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• Administers and manages administration of all university labor contracts; provides guidance to managers and employees on the interpretation of labor contracts provisions to managers, employees and HR staff; oversees processes for review and resolution of employee grievances.
• Advises managers and employees on sensitive labor and employee relations matters, including grievance and arbitration procedures, performance issues and disciplinary actions; advises and assists managers in identifying employee relations issues and determining appropriate course of action, including but not limited to evaluating potential disciplinary matters, counseling employees and developing performance improvement plans and investigating, developing, and preparing witnesses and documentation for grievances, arbitrations and other employee relations matters.
• Serves as key member of the university’s team in contract negotiations and informal labor-management meetings with recognized employee unions; in coordination with the CHRO drafts and vets proposals, builds management consensus and negotiates resolutions. Maintains current knowledge of employee and labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes; conducts research necessary to support contract negotiations. Uses appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts consistent with the university’s mission, values and goals.
• Facilitates on-going communication and working relationships with employee representative unions including coordination of joint labor-management committees.
• Provides information, advice and assistance to Human Resources department managers and staff regarding the application of statutes, regulations, contracts and employee relations practices relating to their functional areas.
• Acts as a member of the Human Resources department leadership team and participates in setting the direction of human resources support activities for the university. Develops and recommends to policies and procedures concerning employee relations and practices to the CHRO.
• Represents the university in arbitrations and NLRB hearings related to unfair labor practice complaints.
• Participates in the development and delivery of management training programs designed to advance the human resources skills and understanding labor relations in the management staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Competencies

• Championing Customer Needs
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas
• Developing Plans
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions
• Building and Supporting Teams
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position has supervisory responsibility over the HR Labor Relations Team, which currently consists of one Labor Relations Advisor.
  
  

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work

• Full-time
• 35 hours/week
• Exempt
• Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily.
  
  

Salary Range

• $120,000 - $150,000 annually
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or related field.
• Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• 4-6 years of relevant experience
• At least five years of progressively responsible, professional experience in collective bargaining and labor relations activities.
• Experience must include leading contract administration, grievance processing, performance management and disciplinary activities, as well as facilitating on-going communication and working relationships with employee representative organizations and other college stakeholders.
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Juris Doctor or equivalent
  
  

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee and labor relations, collective bargaining and employment laws;
• Human Resources theories, practices and techniques;
• Supervisory principles;
• Program development and administration principles and practices.
  
  

Skill In

• Practical application of collective bargaining and employment laws;
• Effective written and oral communications, listening, presentation, group facilitation; influencing and negotiations;
• Application of processes for influencing performance management;
• Effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques;
• Computerized systems for word processing, spreadsheet applications and data bases to retrieve and analyze data and/or create reports;
• Coordinating activities with other internal departments and/or external agencies;
• Effective project and time management.
  
  

Ability To

• Reconcile labor relations issues in the context of both existing labor agreements and desired future states of labor and employee relations
• Work with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of university community;
• Manage multiple complex projects concurrently.
  
  

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.
  
  

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.