System Director Labor Relations

The System Director, Labor Relations position is responsible for managing and overseeing the employment relationship, in partnership with Operations, for those who are represented by a union and where further unionization may occur.  This role is responsible for developing and executing labor strategies and consulting services across the Fairview Health Services healthcare continuum. The position entails ensuring precision and consistency in labor contract administration, implementing hospital policies and procedures in partnership with operations, and adhering to local, state, and federal labor laws.

Strategy

• Responsible for developing and implementing a robust and continuous labor strategy characterized by robust process orientation and cross-functional systems thinking, aimed at ensuring ongoing coherence and effectiveness.
• Aligns labor relations strategies with the overall goals and objectives of the organization.
• Assesses labor strategies to maximize opportunities for collaboration with unions, minimize disruption risks, and uphold a commitment to fostering positive employee relations.
• Collaborates with senior leadership to strategically plan for labor relations events, crafting aligned management perspectives and messages on critical labor issues. Ensures effective communication for labor relations strategy for successful implementation.
• Provides Labor Agreement center of excellence, in consultation with executive leadership and legal counsel, to leadership on contract interpretation and implementation.

Negotiations

• Leads negotiations during labor contract discussions with bargaining units; serves as the primary company advocate for labor relations matters, arbitrations, and other hearings on behalf of Fairview.
• Formulates and executes negotiation strategies and contingency plans, ensuring efficient communication on labor matters throughout the organization.
• With Fairview’s Legal department, or outside counsel if retained by Fairview’s Legal department, leads the responses to charges filed by Union represented employees with outside agencies such as NLRB and other State or Governmental entities. 

Policy Development

• Collaborating with stakeholders, develops and revises policies related to labor relations, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and organizational objectives.
• Stay informed about labor laws and regulations to ensure that labor policies remain compliant with federal, state, and local legislation.
• Partner closely with Government Relations/Public Policy to monitor, advise, and develop strategies around proposed labor legislation.

Union Relations

• Develop, nurture, and maintain relationship with unions, including employee representatives, union officers, Fairview’s in-house counsel, outside counsel, arbitrators, union funds trustees and representative, and others impacting labor relations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Fairview Health and union representatives, facilitating open communication and resolving issues effectively.

Promoting Positive Employee Relations

• Works closely with employee relations and HR Strategy teams to ensure coordinated execution of labor relations strategies and support for organizational leadership of the unionized workforce; implements and maintains proactive, positive employee relations through providing recommendations and training regarding all related issues.
• Oversees the development and implementation of strategies to maintain positive labor-management relations.
• Cultivates a culture of open communication by engaging with staff at all levels, including union representatives and department heads, to identify workplace issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Oversees the development and execution of targeted learning programs, in partnership with Human Resources, to enhance organizational competency and fostering continuous growth.
• Oversees Fairview’s response to any union organizing drives.

Team Leadership

• Guides the team in overseeing and managing all grievances, Unfair Labor Practice charges, and information/discovery requests from collective bargaining units in consultation with Fairview’s Legal department concerning employee relations issues, policies, and administrative procedures.
• Cultivates a culture of collaboration, learning, and ongoing improvement within the team.
• Inspires and motivates team members to achieve their highest potential and meet organizational objectives.
• Sets clear goals, priorities, and expectations for the team and ensures alignment with organizational goals and objectives.

Required Education and Experience

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in human resources management, labor relations, industrial relations, business administration, or related field; or equivalent work experience. 

Experience

• 10 years extensive labor relations experience in highly unionized environment with multi-contracts
• 5 years leadership experience including providing guidance, mentorship, and support to staff members.
• Demonstrated successful track record in the collective bargaining process, handling of grievances and arbitrations, managing issues related to union organizing drives, as well as establishing positive labor-management and employee relations.
• Experience with different, multiple unions
• Displays exceptional verbal and written communication skills, negotiation skills, conflict resolutions skills, influencing skills, and business judgement.
• Extensive knowledge and up-to-date trends of National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and applicable cases.
• Coaching skills and the ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with employees, managers, and union representatives across varying levels and roles. 

Preferred Education and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in human resources management, labor relations, industrial relations, business administration, or related field.
• Juris Doctorate 

Experience

• 15 years labor relations experience in highly unionized environment
• Healthcare industry experience preferred