Director Employee and Labor Relations

We are seeking a Director Employee and Labor Relations who will be responsible for handling all labor relations issues across JHU. Reporting to the Sr. Director, Employee & Labor Relations, this position will manage JHU’s labor relations programs, including contract administration, grievance resolution, and fostering positive relations with labor unions. The role involves strategic planning and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. This position requires broad and extensive labor relations experience and a thorough understanding of labor law, grievance resolution, negotiating, and arbitration. The Director implements and evaluates the university’s labor relations initiatives, across all divisions to ensure entity compliance with workplace agreements, rules, and policies. The Director will serve as an advisor to JHU management on complex labor relations issues and bring positive resolutions while maintaining productive working relations across JHU.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as labor relations subject matter expert and provide advice and counsel across JHU to address and resolve complex labor relations matters in a timely manner.
• Direct and support HR Directors/HR Business Partners regarding the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions.
• Manage the grievance process, including conducting fact findings, facilitating grievance hearings, rendering decisions, supporting timely and appropriate resolution of labor issues, and working with management and union officials to resolve issues in a timely and effective manner while mitigating risk to JHU.
• Develop and implement labor relations training strategies/courses across JHU to ensure managers and supervisors have guidance on labor relations issues, contract administration, and effectively managing relations with union representatives.
• Serve as member of JHU’s collective bargaining team during negotiations, including working with the Sr. Director ER/LR/Compliance to develop negotiating strategy, preparing proposals, supporting negotiations in collaboration with Legal, HR and Operations, and ensuring final CBA language aligns with JHU goals.
• Oversee and direct a team of labor relations specialists in their day-to-day activities while providing direction, guidance and support to assist in resolving escalated and more complex labor relations issues.
• Handle special projects and assignments as directed by the Sr. Director, Employee & Labor Relations.
• Maintain records and monitor compliance with relevant labor laws and regulations.
• Analyze labor relations data, trends, and metrics to provide insights and recommendations to senior management. Prepare reports and presentations as needed.
• Collaborate with Centers of Excellence leadership (Total rewards, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, etc.) to ensure that matters specific to BU employees are clearly understood and taken into consideration when LR considerations are made.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration or related field.
• Seven years of experience in labor relations, including significant experience in collective bargaining, contract administration, and counseling management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration or related field or Juris Doctor (JD).
• Previous experience in a higher education environment.
• Specialized experience in handling grievances, negotiations, employment, employee relations, and employment law.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent verbal/written communication and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Able to influence outcomes with patience, follow-through, professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to facilitate diverse groups and lead others in collaborative efforts.
• Able to work in partnership environment and cooperatively with labor organizations.
• Experience in drafting and writing contractual language.
• Ability to influence change and compliance, in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment.
• Knowledge of employment/labor laws, regulations, case law and their application.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
• Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.
• Occasionally lifting, carrying objects weighing 10lbs. or less.
• Occasionally pushing and pulling objects weighing 30lbs. or less.

Classified Title: Director of Emp Rel & Labor Rel
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director Employee and Labor Relations
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PH
Starting Salary Range: $116,600 - $204,000 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F/8:30-5:00
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/Eastern High Campus
Department name: Employee and Labor Relations East Balt
Personnel area: University Administration