Manager of Labor Relations

Details:

Posted: May 12, 2023
Level: Manager 2
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Closing Date: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with materials submitted by Wednesday, May 31, 2023, receiving priority consideration.

Location:

Hartford, CT area
**This position is hybrid**

Anticipated Start Date:

June/July 2023

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Labor Relations, the Manager of Labor Relations provides advice, guidance and representation to the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system in connection with both unclassified (faculty and non-teaching professionals) and classified employee labor relations, including employee counseling, contract administration and collective bargaining negotiations as a key member of the Labor Relations Center of Excellence (COE).

Incumbents must possess proven ability to effectively work with a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and student. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.)

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in management, labor relations, or a closely related field, and a minimum of four (4) years of related experience in human resources management or labor relations; or a comparable combination of experience and training.

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:

• Demonstrated ability to carry out the full range of labor relations and contract administration functions in a complex, unionized, public sector employment environment.
• Demonstrated ability to research, understand, interpret, apply and advise on complex laws, regulations and collective bargaining agreements affecting human resource management, labor relations and related fields.
• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of rules of evidence and hearings’ procedures before administrative bodies.
• Knowledge of employee classification and compensation.
• Knowledge of human resource administration; leadership skills.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of employee compensation and benefits.
• Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; negotiating skills.
• Skill in writing technical contract provisions.
• Ability to interpret and apply statutes, contracts and regulations
• Ability to prepare for and present cases at grievances or other administrative hearings; and investigative ability.
• Experience working in a team environment and collaboration with multiple constituencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and manage relationships at all levels of the organization and with staff at remote locations are essential.
• Strong problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment, handle sensitive matters, and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
• High level of integrity and dependability with strong sense of urgency and results orientation.

Substitutions Allowed:

Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications as stated are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position and by providing appropriate references. Exceptions to the degree requirements may be made for compelling reasons.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Labor Relations and contract administration experience in a higher education environment.
• CoreCT (PeopleSoft) and SCT Banner experience.

Example of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the Director of Labor Relations, the Manager of Labor Relations is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties:

• Responsible for contract and grievance administration; advises colleges with respect to unclassified and classified employee issues; serves as CSCU President’s designee for System Office Step II classified grievances; represents colleges at Step III unclassified grievance meetings; serves as CSCU President’s designee for unclassified grievances at the System level and conducts grievance meetings with union officials, issues written finding or drafts settlement agreements and/or MOA’s to settle grievance. May participate and assist in the presentation of cases at arbitration or other administrative bodies.
• Provides leadership, direction and guidance to CEO’s, Deans, CSCU Directors of HR Shared Services, Regional HR Managers, HR Generalists, and supervisors with respect to employee grievances and problems and general employee relations including but not limited to FMLA/ADA/Workers’ Compensation, and employee corrective action. Acts as a liaison between employees and managers to solve problems. Partners with other HR staff in Shared Services to appropriately deliver solutions to labor relations needs. Ensures consistency of policies and procedures and uniform interpretation and administration of agreements; and ensures compliance with applicable state and federal laws; regulations, policies and procedures. Prepares communications to CSCU institutions; gathers and compiles information in response to requests from unions, State’s Office of Labor Relations, and Department of Administrative Services; develops and implements labor relations system-wide training programs for campus leaders and supervisors.
• Assists in the investigation of employee complaints and issues; assigns, directs, reviews investigations performed by assigned staff and determines appropriate action in collaboration with CSCU campus leaders.
• Serves as Liaison with Office of Labor Relations, Department of Administrative Services and other state agencies, as well as outside legal counsel, as appropriate, on questions related to labor relations compliance.
• Provides research and support for contract administration and negotiations; may play a lead role in System-wide negotiations, gathers and analyzes data needed for negotiations with unclassified employee unions and for other labor relations functions; solicits changes and may make recommendations regarding classified contracts in connection with Statewide contract negotiations.
• Conducts research into pertinent labor relations issues to develop negotiation positions and strategies; directly negotiate settlements with union leadership to bring resolution to complex issues; reviews cost and impact analyses of union proposals; analyzes impact of non-economic proposals; and develops settlement agreements/MOA’s.
• Establishes and maintains a system-wide grievance and investigatory tracking database; analyzes complex workplace situations and issues and leverage solutions; triages crisis situations and recommends appropriate action in conjunction with appointing authority; and advises executives, administrators, managers and supervisors on collective bargaining agreements and other employee relation issues; and communicates with bargaining unit representatives and other interested parties to ensure cooperative relationships.
• Ensures consistent application of the CBA’s and that any management actions, settlements and/or MOA’s are reviewed in light of risk across the system. Escalates any issues that drive risk to the broader system due to desired agreements or actions of a single campus manager or executive.

This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full duties and responsibilities that is stated within the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Starting Salary:

$93,345-$116,681 (midpoint) approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans ; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance . You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable.

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume.

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

Selection Procedure:

Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to Interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment.

Background Screening:

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CSCU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Nicholas D'Agostino Director of Equal Employment Opportunity Ndagostino@commnet.edu

CSCU IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F