Deputy Chief Labor Relations Officer(Administrator VII)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

15d

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth.
MassDOT’s divisions include: Highway, Aeronautics, Registry, Rail & Transit and Programs, and Planning Enterprise Services. There are approximately 4,000 employees that work in the department.
The Deputy Chief Labor Relations Officer manages the operational execution of MassDOT’s labor and employee relations functions within the Center for Labor & Employee Relations (CLER), establishing unit-wide standards for case documentation, auditing, and reporting; reviewing escalated labor matters, and promoting consistent application of collective bargaining agreements throughout the agency. The role is also responsible for overseeing the implementation of LaborSoft as the official CLER case management system, ensuring standardized case tracking, improved reporting visibility, and operational accountability.
Working closely with the CLER Manager and Labor & Employee Relations Specialists, the Deputy Chief Labor Officer strengthens operational consistency, supports complex case review, and promotes transparency and continuous improvement within the CLER function while operating under the strategic direction of the Chief Labor Relations Officer.

Requirements

• Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
• I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
• II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
• IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Nice To Haves

• Deep knowledge of public-sector collective bargaining agreements.
• Strong understanding of grievance procedures, investigatory standards, and disciplinary processes. Knowledge of federal and state labor and employment laws.
• Ability to develop and implement enterprise auditing frameworks.
• Exceptional organizational skills and follow-through.
• Strong analytical and risk assessment capability.
• Executive level written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence senior leadership and union representatives.
• Ability to foster a culture of diversity, respect, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Manage CLER Manager under the strategic direction of the Chief Labor Relations Officer (CLRO). Establish standardized procedures for grievance handling, investigations, disciplinary review, and contract administration to ensure consistent and compliant application of collective bargaining agreements across all MassDOT divisions.
• Oversee complex and high-risk grievance, investigatory, and disciplinary matters. Review case documentation, ensure contractual and legal compliance, and provide recommendations to the CLRO regarding resolution strategy and risk mitigation. Determine when matters require escalation and ensure defensible documentation standards are maintained across cases.
• Establish performance expectations, provide coaching and professional development, and ensure consistent service delivery standards. Develop and implement training programs for managers, HR Business Partners, and internal stakeholders to promote transparency and understanding of CLER processes.
• Monitor the consistent operational application of collective bargaining agreements across divisions and districts. Review trends, recurring issues, and areas of inconsistent contract application, and recommend procedural clarifications or corrective actions to support compliant labor practices.
• Lead the utilization of LaborSoft as the official CLER case management platform. Establish documentation protocols, enforce standardized case tracking practices, and ensure regular reporting visibility across all CLER matters. Monitor case timelines and performance metrics to support operational accountability and transparency.

Benefits

• When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
• Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees