Director Employee Relations

UMass Memorial Health • Worcester, MA

12d

About The Position

Leads team of Employee Relations Partners and provides strategic and tactical Employee Relations consultation to Managers and Employees to resolve employee issues and advise on employee conflict resolution, performance management, disciplinary action and/or termination. Responsible for the implementation and administration of a positive and effective system-wide labor and employee relations program which promotes the long and short-term labor relations strategies with minimal direction. Independently advises on interpretation of personnel policies, labor contracts and State/Federal employment laws and provides guidance to line management. Conducts investigations to ensure that employee issues are resolved in adherence to all company, local, state, and federal policies, procedures, and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business-related field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of human resources theory, principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of such disciplines as the recruitment function, training, compensation and benefits administration.
• Depth of knowledge in employee relations and labor relations.
• Good communications, program management, project management, facilitation, decision-making, critical thinking and listening skills.
• Prior Employee and Labor Relations coaching/mentoring expertise, as well as a functional understanding of the organization.
• Proven problem solving, mediation and analysis experience along with the ability to lead a team.
• Self-directed and motivated.
• Ability to multi-task and manage time in a complex environment.

Nice To Haves

• JD, MBA or other relevant advanced degree.
• Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manages team of Employee Relations Partners and provides necessary training and development opportunities. Advise and coach managers and employees in assigned client groups in the application and interpretation of Human Resources policies, labor union contracts, and employee relations matters.
• Represents UMass Memorial Health Care in collective bargaining with every union representing Medical Center and member hospital employees within the system. Prepares for, conducts, and/or participates in contract negotiations and administers all provisions of the agreements. Prepares and presents contract proposals in consultation with appropriate management representatives.
• Assists in the planning and organization of a program of employee and labor relations to build a positive work environment and prevent and mediate employee disputes and grievances. Provides formal and informal education to all levels of management regarding labor relations, contract interpretation and labor and employment law.
• Leads and manages sensitive and confidential workplace investigations and drafts investigative reports, as appropriate. May designate to other internal or external resources as necessary.
• Designs and implements manager trainings on employee and labor relations topics s such as the disciplinary proves, performance improvement, managing in a unionized environment etc.
• Contributes to a working environment that is conducive to labor management harmony through the implementation and maintenance of equitable policies and procedures and programs designed to allow for effective problem solving.
• Actively participate on committees and initiatives representing both clients and human resources to ensure application of new legislation, the smooth roll-out of systems and organizational requirements, and to ensure comprehensive policy updates and implementation.
• Review data and trends to identify employee and labor relations issues and patterns.
• All other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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