Senior Director, Employee and Labor Relations

OPS HR - Employee and Labor Relations

About the Department

The University of Chicago's Human Resources team is dedicated to building institutional capacity to advance the University's mission in providing excellence in education, research and innovation. As a strategic partner, we collaborate with the divisions and units to attract, develop, reward and engage diverse talent to meet their specific goals and those of the University overall. We are a team of resources working together to provide organizational leadership, advice and support to meet the changing needs of our academic and staff community.

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Employee and Labor Relations is a member of the broader University Human Resources team and directs the Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) team, who provide consultation on and resolution of employee and labor relations inquiries from academic and administrative unit leaders. As a member of the HR Leadership Team, this role fosters strategic collaborations and builds partnerships across campus that drive organizational effectiveness and superior service in support of the University’s mission and vision. Through strategic policies, procedures, labor contracts, and employment practices, the Senior Director creates a positive and collaborative work environment that unites leaders and employees around fair treatment and the consistent, lawful application of University policies and federal/state law. The Senior Director also serves as the University's chief labor relations representative, responsible for academic and staff bargaining units encompassing over 4,000 employees.

This is a strategic and operations management position reporting to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources. The Senior Director functions with a high level of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment, partnering with the AVP for HR as a principal interface to the President, Provost, and senior leadership on questions related to employee issues, while managing a complex stakeholder group to effectively influence and lead organizational change across the UChicago community. Responsibilities include administering staff policy and labor agreements covering staff and academic employees and maintaining a deep understanding of and extensive experience with employment law, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, NLRA, and state laws. In this capacity, the Senior Director collaborates with the Office of the President and Provost, academic and staff leaders, and HR professionals campus-wide to ensure compliance with University policies and employment laws, consults directly with Deans, Officers, and other University leaders on complex matters, and partners with ELR Consultants to review and conduct risk assessments for employee terminations, layoffs, and other significant adverse employment actions.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the development of structures, policies, and labor agreements that promote fair treatment and ensure University-wide compliance with laws and regulations, administered through HR professionals across campus.
• Supervises ELR Consultants' investigations of employee complaints, occasionally serving as lead investigator, and partners with the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs on investigations involving students, academic appointees, and staff.
• Provides strategic and operational leadership for labor management and employee relations programs with University-wide impact. Administers the collective bargaining agreements. Establishes and directs employee relations procedures, including grievance filings, exit interviews, and employee complaint investigations.
• Represents the University in contract negotiations with labor unions and administrative agency cases before the EEOC, Illinois Department of Human Rights, and National Labor Relations Board. Develops the strategy in arbitration hearings as the University Advocate.
• Guides and counsels deans, officers, and other University leaders on complex and strategic employee and labor relations matters. Determines strategies and tactics to address employee-related issues.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Work Experience

10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications

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Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Juris Doctor, or Master's degree in human resources or labor relations/industrial relations.

Experience

• Minimum ten years of experience representing management employing at least 1,000 employees in all aspects of labor relations, including serving as lead negotiator in collective bargaining.
• Minimum ten years of experience advising management on the full range of employee relations matters, encompassing all federal and Illinois employment law.
• Background in higher education with issues unique to higher education settings.
• Coaching and developing a team to ensure objectives are met, and personal development plans are encouraged and fostered.

Preferred Competencies

• Build credibility and trust with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and other key stakeholders while providing sound, strategic counsel on complex labor and employee relations matters.
• Superb analytical and communication skills, bringing the ability to examine challenges creatively and propose innovative and effective solutions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop team members, including determining talents and expanding responsibilities to enhance professional growth.
• Develop and apply sound strategies for complex labor, employee relations, and compliance matters.
• Develop and execute effective negotiation and advocacy strategies for collective bargaining, arbitration, grievances, and administrative proceedings.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (preferred)(3)

• The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
• When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

University Human Resources

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary ​

FLSA Status

Exempt ​

Pay Range

$225,000.00 - $240,000.00 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.