Director of Employee and Labor Relations
SUNY Empire State University
Saratoga Springs, NY
Full-time
Human Resources
Posted on April 12, 2024
About Empire State University:
Founded in 1971 as the innovative campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), Empire State University empowers learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. We have decades of experience providing educational access through online teaching and learning, individualized instruction, mentoring, and prior learning assessment. We build on our students' experiences to promote their growth and drive upward mobility and economic development in New York state and beyond. SUNY Empire's 97,000 alumni are teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities and their fields. Visit www.sunyempire.edu and follow us on social media @SUNYEmpire.
SUNY Empire is committed to creating a multicultural, inclusive academic and work environment. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that having diverse faculty and staff is critical to academic excellence and prepares students to live and work in an increasingly global world.
Job Description:
SUNY Empire State University seeks a dynamic and influential Director of Employee and Labor Relations in the Office of Human Resources. This position will report directly to the Assistant Vice President for Human Resources.
The selected incumbent will administer two collective bargaining agreements, including discipline procedures, grievance administration, and contract interpretations. This role will also oversee employee relations and discipline procedures, up to and including termination, for Management Confidential (non-unionized) staff.
The Director will serve as the university-wide Title IX Coordinator. In this role, the incumbent will lead with integrity and will promote and empower a culture where employees own and embrace the highest level of professional and ethical standards. The Director will partner with the Chief Diversity Officer to provide leadership in fostering a climate of diversity, inclusiveness, and respect.
Major responsibilities include:
- Serve as expert and primary point of contact for supervisors and managers regarding the fair and consistent interpretation of policies, and collective bargaining agreements as well as all matters pertaining to employee relations for over 1200 employees between two labor unions and Management Confidential employees.
- Serve as the President's designee for labor relations. This includes monthly labor management meetings, coaching/counseling process, investigations, responding to grievances, and administration of the collective bargaining agreements.
- Provide pragmatic, legally sound, best practice counsel, and where necessary, ongoing support, coaching and guidance to leadership.
- Advise managers and supervisors on appropriate work behaviors. Conduct in-house training in various employee/labor relations topics, including mandatory topics per SUNY, NYS and Federal guidelines.
- Oversee performance management process following union policy and practice and developing a robust performance management program for Management Confidential employees.
- Conduct full, thorough and fair workplace investigations and interviews as related to allegations of sexual harassment, workplace violence, hostile work environment, discrimination, theft of time, bullying and other forms of employee misconduct.
- Oversee and coordinate the resolution of issues related to labor relations including advising and mediating employee grievances, arbitrations and improper practice hearings.
- Responsible for compliance with applicable federal and New York State laws and regulations, State University of New York system policies, and collective bargaining agreements, including but not limited to Title IX, NYS Civil Service and NYS Labor Law.
- Address components of the workplace culture that impede the organization and individuals' effectiveness in a proactive, respectful, and effective manner.
- Demonstrate sound strategic thinking and consulting skills in guiding the university towards the development and implementation in the areas of policies and procedures and complaint resolution.
- Work with and across all levels of the organization, including the capability to diplomatically influence executive leadership team members, and to establish and maintain a highly ethical reputation.
- Exhibit an openness to different viewpoints and communicate in a manner which demonstrates sensitivity and respect for diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Knowledge of and commitment to contemporary issues of inclusion, social justice, diversity, access, and equity.
- Ability to communicate effectively, through written and verbal communication, with all levels of the university.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- A minimum of 5 years of direct employee/labor relations experience or a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible HR experience.
- Demonstrated experience in a culturally diverse environment and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Thorough knowledge of employment law and compliance at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Experience with collective bargaining environment and labor relations in a large complex organization, public sector, or higher education.
- Advanced or terminal degree in human resources management, labor and employment relations or business administration.
- Title IX experience in higher education.
- Experience creating equitable and inclusive recruitment strategies, succession planning, workforce development, and retention plans.
- SUNY Empire provides employees with robust remote and flexible work options to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff in a dispersed work environment.
- The preferred location for this position is Saratoga Springs, NY. Other university locations that may be considered include Rochester and Selden, NY.
- Travel to university locations across New York State is required.
- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Additional Information:
Rank/Salary: Management-Confidential / $95,000-$105,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.
Empire State University is an EOE employer.
We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.
IF YOU NEED A DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE ADA COORDINATOR AT (518) 587-2100, ext. 2240. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE II CRIME AWARENESS AND SECURITY ACT, A COPY OF OUR CRIME STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY CALLING (518) 587-2100, ext. 2800. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON-LINE AT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY WEBSITE AT www.sunyempire.edu/safety-security.
Application Instructions:
Applications Due By: Applications accepted until position is filled.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit the following documents, which are required for consideration by clicking on the APPLY NOW button:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Name and contact information of three references
Returning Applicants - Please click here to login to your Empire State University Employment Account to check your completed application or to update your account.
