Director of Employee and Labor Relations

Summary

Join the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) as their Director of Employee & Labor Relations! This remote, full-time position reports to the Senior Director of People & Culture and collaborates with the Chief Finance & Administrative Officer. You will oversee all aspects of employee labor relations, ensuring compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and relevant laws. Responsibilities include administering labor agreements, guiding managers on employee relations, handling misconduct, and leading grievance processes. A Bachelor's degree in a related field and seven years of experience are preferred, along with SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification. The salary is $151,661.04 (with a 12% differential for CA residents). UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) or equivalent in human resources management or a business-related field is preferred; seven years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management and employee-labor relations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, training outlines, needs assessments, operational manuals, policies, and procedures
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public
• Ability to define and articulate problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables
• Acceptance and application of the confidential nature of the position
• Extensive knowledge of state and federal labor laws and regulations, with exposure to a broad range of P&C functions, including compensation, leaves, benefits, workers’ compensation, employee relations, and training
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and achieve goals successfully
• Strong presentation, consulting, customer service, and management skills
• Strong communication (verbal and written), decision-making, interpersonal conflict resolution, and time management skills, including active listening and assessing
• Supports and advances UCS’s commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Must be detail-oriented, well-organized, and meticulous in completing all assigned work
• Ability to handle shifting priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database software
• Experience working with diverse teams
• Commitment to the organization’s mission, goals, and philosophy

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of employee labor relations
• Administer labor agreements to foster positive relationships with the UCS labor union
• Offer guidance and policy interpretation to managers on employee and labor relations matters
• Maintain high performance standards in employee-management relations and handle employee inquiries
• Collaborate with managers and supervisors to address employee misconduct, policy violations, and conflict resolution for all bargaining unit employees, ensuring effective discipline management and adherence to organizational standards
• Responsible for all updates related to bargaining unit certifications, petitions, and posting notices within the required contractual timeline
• Ensure job descriptions are accurate and compliant with UCS policies and the CBA
• Ensure the organization’s disciplinary process remains in compliance with the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for all collective bargaining unit members
• Collaborate with all managers to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards regarding members of the collective bargaining unit
• In collaboration with the Sr Director of People and Culture, provide strategic direction for compliance with CBA across all programs and departments
• Evaluate contracts and agreements for compliance with regulations and contractual terms
• Represent UCS before state and federal boards, mediators, and arbitrators
• Lead grievance and arbitration processes
• Resolves disputes, grievances, and complaints for bargaining unit members that are referred to in the P&C Department
• Developing programs to improve employee engagement and morale
• Collaborating with leadership on short-and long-term employee relations planning
• Providing information on labor legislation and market conditions for contract reviews
• Developing and implementing employee relations policies to enhance operations and communications
• Lead all internal investigations and performance improvement plans (PIP), including written and verbal performance actions, and advise on investigatory meetings related to potential discipline for all bargaining unit employees
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of People & Culture, provide support on all terminations, layoffs, voluntary and involuntary, for union members
• Partner with the Director of People Operations or their designee on any changes to employer benefits, including 403(b) plans, personnel policy development, and implementation, in consultation with the union
• Other Duties as Assigned

Preferred Qualifications

SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification preferred

Benefits

• Excellent benefits
• Rewarding work environment
• For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is $151,661.04
• CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential