Description

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources, the Director of Labor Relations (Director) oversees the labor relations program for Lesley University ensuring that the strength and quality of relations with represented employees advance the university's overall strategic goals and reflect sound principles of human resources management. In this capacity, the Director provides guidance to managers and counseling to employees on labor relations and employee relations matters. The Director participates in negotiation activity for the university’s two collective bargaining agreements and is responsible for contract administration and interpretation, as well as providing education and guidance to constituents around adherence to contract language. The Director will administer labor relations matters in accordance with labor and employment law, regulatory requirements and university policy and serves as a key contributor to development and maintenance of comprehensive Human Resources policies and strategies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

•          As first point of contact in all labor relations matters, the Director recommends solutions that reduce risk to the organization, provide appropriate support to all employees, and ensure a fair, consistent approach to employee and labor relations practices.
•         Develops, distributes and promotes standardized processes, templates, tools and/or technologies to managing labor relations, corrective action administration and escalated issue resolution protocols.
•         Manages the administration of collective bargaining agreements.
•         Provides interpretation of labor contracts to supervisors, employees and HR staff.
•         Conducts regularly scheduled labor-management meetings in accordance with the CBAs.
•         Serves on the negotiating team in contract negotiations, applying appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts, while collaborating with relevant stakeholders. 
•         Advises supervisors on labor relations and employee relations matters, including grievance and arbitration procedures, performance issues and disciplinary actions.
•         Maintains current knowledge of employee and labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes.
•         Leverage data and reporting to support HR strategies and solutions and assist leadership with meaningful and actionable information.
•         Provides guidance to management staff by contract interpretation, investigation and advice on a full range of employee relations matters including informal and formal grievances, disciplinary issues, employee assistance referrals, and workforce changes.
•         Represents the university in arbitrations and hearings related to unfair labor practice complaints.
•         Participates in the development and delivery of management training programs regarding the university’s two collective bargaining agreements.
•         Actively supports a positive work environment, resolving workplace conflicts, managing grievances, and ensuring that all disciplinary actions and HR policies comply with labor laws. 
•         Provides one-on-one guidance to managers on handling sensitive employee issues, improving communication, and applying best practices in conflict resolution. Offers proactive support to prevent escalation of workplace concerns.
•         On all labor and some employee relations matters, manages the full investigation lifecycle, including intake, planning, evidence collection, interviews, documentation, and resolution of employee complaints, workplace misconduct, and policy violations.
•         Ensure investigations are thorough, impartial, and conducted in accordance with legal standards and organizational policies. 
•         Coordinates all aspects of the grievance process, including scheduling meetings, preparing documentation and responses, and ensuring adherence to timelines
•         Prepares detailed investigative reports and recommendations, and conducts complex investigations in consultation with the department leadership.
•         Maintains strict confidentiality and delivers timely outcomes. 
•         Assist with any other duties as needed to help drive the university’s vision, mission, and abide by the university’s values.

Requirements

•         Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or related field. Master’s degree preferred. JD or LLM degree desirable.
•         Five years progressively responsible, professional experience in collective bargaining and labor relations activities.
•         Demonstrated advanced application of labor and employment laws;
•         Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communications, listening, presentation, group facilitation; influencing and negotiations;
•         Effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques
•         Advanced understanding of general human resources policies and procedures
•         Outstanding knowledge of MS Office; HRIS systems will be a plus
•         Strong commitment to customer service, confidentiality, and professionalism 
•         Demonstrated strong organizational skills and ability to plan, prioritize and organize project work, at times with competing priorities 
•         Ability to build collaborative relationships within departments and across the university