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Director of Labor and Employee Relations

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job # 040690
Department Code 19002-7220
Department Office of Human Resources
Job Title Director of Labor and Employee Relations
Location Syracuse, NY
Pay Range $120,000 - $152,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level S6
FLSA Status Exempt
Hours
Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type Full-time
Campus Syracuse, NY
Unionized Position Code Not Applicable
Job Description
Syracuse University, a private research University in Central New York seeks to hire a talented professional to fill a leadership position for a University-wide Human Resources Department. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced professional to join a team dedicated to transforming the way in which HR supports the mission, vision, and academic priorities of the University. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Labor and Employee Relations, the Director of Labor and Employee Relations will be an approachable, interactive leader who will strive to promote and create positive work environments across the university in both union and non-union sectors, supporting employee engagement, promoting grievance avoidance, providing guidance on labor relations and contract management, while simultaneously providing strategic support for business units in other employee areas.
Qualifications
  • JD or Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Human Resources, or Labor Law.
  • SPHR Certification preferred.
  • Eight (8) years of labor relations experience, including substantive experience in managing and administering collective bargaining agreements.
  • Minimum of two (2) years experience in alternate dispute resolution.
  • Five (5) or more years of supervisory human resources experience.
  • Experience working with faculty, research staff, and support units in higher education.
  • Leading or participating in union negotiations.
Job Specific Qualifications
  • Experience demonstrating senior-level competencies in collective bargaining conflict resolution, mediation facilitation.
  • Ability to “think outside of the box.”
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Proven ability to think critically.
Responsibilities
  • Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Labor and Employee Relations, the Director of Labor and Employee Relations will provide guidance and oversight on labor relations and contract management matters while providing strategic support for business units in other employee areas.
  • On labor matters, functions as a primary advisor on labor policy, negotiations, and issues arising from collective bargaining agreements.
  • Provides leadership in collective bargaining-related functions and is responsible for executing the University’s comprehensive labor relations strategy for developing and maintaining effective academic and employee labor/management relations.
  • Will also play an active role in contract negotiations and may serve as lead negotiator.
  • Responsible for the administration and implementation of university complaint and grievance resolution procedures.
  • May serve as the University representative at labor arbitrations.
  • Supervises some staff and is skilled in creating and maintaining effective teams.
  • Fosters collaborative and collegial working relationships across the entire University community.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop curriculum training and to deliver training effectively.
  • Subject matter expertise in applicable federal and state labor and employment laws and the agencies regulating those laws with demonstrated ability to brief leadership on complex and/or emerging legal issues.
  • Knowledge of administrative proceedings and due process requirements.
  • Knowledge of union activities/relations in the private sector, NLRB procedures, and collective bargaining theory in general.
  • Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive and confidential matters with tact and
    discretion; and other duties as required.
  • Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements as well as federal and state labor and employment laws; analyze, interpret, apply labor and employment laws; draft complex legal documents and communications about legal issues to senior leadership; manage administrative proceedings and due process requirements.
  • Partner with senior leadership to develop and implement effective HR policies and practices that will support the strategic growth of a business.
  • Offer thought leadership regarding organizational and people-related strategy and execution.
  • Provide timely information and/or education for all levels of a company on HR issues.
  • Educate, coach, and partner with managers on performance management and employee development goals.
  • Provide HR expertise in the areas of feedback, employee relations, development and coaching, compensation, and organizational development.
  • Participate in the continual development of HR programs, such as recruiting, retention, compensation, benefits, and Learning & Development.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community
Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.
Quick Link https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/103821
Job Posting Date 03/11/2024
Application Deadline
Full Consideration By
Job Category Staff
Message to Applicants

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you first find out about this position?
    • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
    • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
    • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
    • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
    • Women’s Opportunity Center
    • Jubilee Homes
    • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
    • Interfaith Works
    • JobPlus
    • Syracuse.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • Indeed.com
    • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
    • LinkedIn Job Posting
    • Facebook
    • Job Fair
    • Search Firm
    • Referred by an SU Employee
    • Other
  2. If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position.

    (Open Ended Question)