HR Business Partner, Academic Affairs

HR Business Partner, Academic Affairs & Labor Relations

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title
HR Business Partner, Academic Affairs & Labor Relations

Job Profile Title
Labor and Staff Relations Specialist Senior

Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Human Resources, with a dotted line to the Executive Director for Staff and Labor Relations, the HR Business Partner for Academic Affairs and Labor Relations leads HR functions across faculty, postdoctoral researchers, students, and staff, with a focus on labor relations, compliance, and policy consistency. This role provides strategic oversight in employee relations, labor negotiations, performance management, and policy interpretation to maintain an equitable and compliant work environment. The HR Business Partner for Academic Affairs and Labor Relations collaborates closely with the Executive Director of Staff and Labor Relations and partners with Faculty Affairs to ensure HR policies and practices align with University standards and collective bargaining agreements, supporting a cohesive approach across all employee groups.

Job Description

The University of Pennsylvania is seeking a dedicated and experienced HR Business Partner for Academic Affairs and Labor Relations. This role is essential in providing HR leadership across faculty, postdoctoral researchers, students, and staff, with a focus on labor relations, compliance, and policy consistency. The HR Business Partner for Academic Affairs and Labor Relations. will play a key role in managing employee relations, labor negotiations, and performance management, ensuring an equitable and compliant work environment.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in labor law, collective bargaining, and HR compliance, as well as a strategic approach to policy development and collaboration. Working closely with the Executive Director of Staff and Labor Relations and partnering with Faculty Affairs, the HR Business Partner for Academic Affairs and Labor Relations. will lead efforts to align HR policies with university standards, fostering a cohesive and supportive workplace across all employee groups.

If you are an HR professional with a strong background in labor relations and experience in academic or unionized environments, we invite you to apply to join our team in this impactful and dynamic role.

DUTIES:

The HR Business Partner for Academic Affairs and Labor Relations will serve as the primary HR contact for labor relations matters across faculty, postdoctoral researchers, students, and staff, providing strategic guidance on complex issues. Key responsibilities include partnering on contract interpretation and labor negotiations, leading employee relations initiatives, and acting as the University's Third Step Grievance Hearing Officer. The HR Business Partner for Academic Affairs and Labor Relations will collaborate closely with Faculty Affairs and the Executive Director of Staff and Labor Relations to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and alignment with University policies. This role also involves designing performance management frameworks, overseeing HR data management and reporting, and leading training programs to enhance understanding of labor relations across the University. The Associate Director will act as an HR liaison between departments, fostering a consistent and compliant approach to HR practices and policy implementation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field and have 5-7 years of progressive HR and labor relations experience, preferably in a higher education or unionized environment; 7-10 preferred. Key qualifications include strong expertise in labor law, collective bargaining, employee relations, and HR compliance, along with a proven track record of managing complex labor issues and leading strategic HR initiatives. Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative and confidential approach, are essential to succeed in this role.

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
Provost's Center

Pay Range
$61,046.00 - $110,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and

the pay range assigned to the job profile.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
  
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
  

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay


To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/3401-Walnut-Street-BC-Wing---3rd-Floor/Senior-Staff-and-Labor-Relations-Specialist-for-Academic-and-Staff-Affairs_JR00099787





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