Careers

Title: Associate Director of HR & Labor Relations

Department: Human Resources

Duration: Indefinite

Employment Status: Full Time (40 hours/week)

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer (AVP/CHRO), the Associate HR & Labor Relations Director is responsible to expertly perform internal workforce management business partnering, advising and relationship management for a wide variety of academic, research, and business communities at Occidental College (Oxy). This professional delivers advising services across various organizational arenas, in addition to coordinating and managing requests for deeper levels of subject matter expertise with HR functions including Labor Relations, Employee Relations, Training and Organizational Development; and HR Operations. With a specific focus on labor and employee relations, the Associate Director provides development, advising and guidance to senior management and organizational partners in the design/development, negotiations/implementation and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, workforce management policies, procedures, programs and application of related Oxy and external governmental policies, laws and regulations. Coordinates and/or leads workforce management related projects across organizational boundaries. Represents the Office of Human Resources on college-wide teams and committees as assigned. Leads department efforts in the absence of the AVP/CHRO.

Job Duties

• 35% - Under the general direction of the AVP/CHRO, and serving as a collaborative workforce management subject matter expert and partner to college leadership and staff, serves as primary labor relations/employee relations/training & development liaison and strategic workforce consultant between organizational units and the Office of Human Resources providing specific subject matter expertise in the areas of labor and employee relations, training & development; with a generalist background and knowledge of recruitment and employment, classification and compensation, benefits, performance management, strategic planning, organizational development, process improvement. - (Essential)
• 30% - Provides subject matter expertise, counsel and guidance in labor/employee relations to unit and senior management related to the College, State and Federal policies, practices, rules, regulations, and laws. Participates in collective bargaining negotiations related to five (5) union represented units (non-tenured track faculty, professional/administrative, student works (2), and campus dining/facilities maintenance staff). Provide accurate and timely advice to units regarding discipline process; conduct disciplinary review conferences and advice on appropriate outcomes. Investigates and responds to employee, external agency and internal compliance related complaints as assigned. Collaborate and inform senior management and the General Counsel’s Office in the investigation and identification of potential employee litigation. Represent the College at unemployment compensation hearings as needed. - (Essential)
• 15% - Participates in the design, development and implementation of innovative workforce retention programs focusing on the identification and strategic alignment of required competencies to enhance organizational effectiveness and achievement of institutional goals and objectives. Routinely evaluates program effectiveness and implement adjustments as needed. Ensure continued program evolution and process improvement in order to further enhance effectiveness and accelerate achievement and outcomes. - (Essential)
• 15% - Partners with organizational units to ensure timely and effective delivery of HR services to the Oxy Community. Coordinate requests for deeper levels of subject matter expertise in strategic planning, information, and problem management with applicable HR services including Recruitment and Employment, Classification & Compensation, Benefits, HR Operations, EAP/Work/Life Resources, etc. Develops and maintains effective and collaborative partnerships within the institution, with other Oxy components and offices, regulatory State and Federal offices, etc. Ensures timely reporting to and compliance with all Oxy, local, State and Federal agencies, policies, rules and regulations. - (Essential)
• 5% - Increases the use of technology solutions while partnering with efforts to measure, profile and segment the College’s workforce. Provides timely, knowledgeable and accurate decision-support data and metrics. Performs other assigned responsibilities and duties associated with a specified service area with the Office of Human Resources. - (Marginal)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business or related fields.
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience at practitioner to senior level in human resource operations with particular emphasis in the areas of union negotiations and relationship building and labor/employee relations.
• Demonstrated experience in providing effective leadership in the design, development and implementation of innovative workforce management programs and policies focused on developing and retaining a highly effective, productive, and qualified workforce.
• Demonstrated business knowledge and understanding of unique business-related challenges and up-to-date applicable workforce management trends and strategies enhancing organizational effectiveness.
• Experience in consistently providing tools, process improvement and information that enhance individual, departmental, and organizational performance.
• Demonstrated talent in facilitating, influencing and negotiating agreements and collaborations between various business groups and individuals.
• Experience in the development and delivery of influential business presentations accommodating the diverse needs of various organizational groups including executive and senior leadership, middle management and supervision, and employee groups.
• Demonstrated skills in leading and developing change management strategies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
• Strong commitment to a quality work product.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.
• Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree and/or relevant Human Resources certification, i.e., SPHR, etc. and/or Juris Doctorate with labor and union law experience.
• Previous Labor Relations/HR experience within an institution of higher education.
• Experience with Banner or similar Human Capital Management (ERP) programs and functionality.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in developing human resources programs.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE:  $90,000-$130,000/yr

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.  We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.