Director of Labor Relations

📍 Newark, NJ | 🕒 Full-Time |

Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), is responsible for leading the Labor Relations team, directing the day-to-day activities for the Labor Relations Department, ensuring alignment with policies and procedures; budget development and monitoring throughout University Hospital. Responsible for contract negotiations, interpretation, and implementation.

• →Develops and executes the hospital’s labor relations strategy under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, aligning collective bargaining priorities, contract administration, and labor-management relationships with hospital operations, workforce needs, and financial priorities.
• →Provides leadership and ensures the development of department staff by providing ongoing performance assessment and feedback.
  • →Responsible for the department’s operational excellence; assures the department delivers quality services in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and professional standards.
  • →Ensures that the staff are trained and evaluated on their knowledge of and adherence to compliance policies and procedures specific to their jobs.
  • →Establishes and maintains collaborative labor-management relations.
• →Oversees data collection and analysis, formulation of reports, and communications.
• →Directs department operations and, as necessary, effects change to improve operational efficiency and budget alignment..
• →Ensures labor relations activities across University Hospital are in compliance with bargaining agreements.
• →In partnership with the CHRO Serves as University Hospital’s Chief Negotiator for collective bargaining with staff, and housestaff unions.
• →Partners with Human Resources Business Partners and Learning and Development to develop and deliver training and practical guidance for supervisors and managers on contract administration, employee documentation, progressive discipline, grievance handling, and timely consultation with Labor Relations.
• →Counsels management in the application of these and ensure consistent understanding and application of collective bargaining agreements across hospital departments.
• →Acts as subject specialist on labor relation matters to management, employees, and constituents of the University Hospital.
• →Maintains contact with the Public Employee Relations Commission and other appropriate agencies regarding labor matters to assist University Hospital negotiation planning.
• →Serves as a resource to management in providing guidelines and develops a system to monitor the utilization of the progressive discipline process. Reviews disciplinary matters for consistency supporting documentation, and contractual requirements in partnership with HRBPs and counsel.
• →Keeps the Chief Human Resources Officer informed of labor relations activities through monthly operational reports which capture measures for performance. I.e., grievance volume and aging, upcoming deadlines, significant cases, arbitrations status, negotiations progress, financial exposure, and recurring issues requiring corrective action.
• →Hires, trains, evaluates, and supervises labor relations staff (I.e., Labor Relations Coordinator).
• →Coordinates union coalition meetings to build labor management relationships and maintain open communications.
• →Responsible for interactions with the unions for University Hospital to maintain consistent communications.
• →Supports the University Hospital's goal on workplace diversity and EEO goals and objectives concerning employment and promotional opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, labor relations, industrial relations, or a related field plus at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible labor relations experience, including substantial experience in an environment with multiple collective bargaining unit agreements, within a government agency, health care or academic setting.
• Master’s degree or J.D. Degree and licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey strongly preferred plus at least five (5) years of professional experience in the practice of labor and employment law.
• Thorough knowledge of employment and labor law regulations.
• Outstanding human relations and leadership skills, and the ability to function in a team environment required.
• Demonstrated knowledge is necessary of how to accomplish superior performance in a unionized environment.
• Equivalent experience, education, and/or training may be substituted for the degree requirement.

University Hospital is the only state designated Level I Trauma Center for all of Northern New Jersey and the principal teaching hospital for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.  University Hospital delivers comprehensive primary and specialty care, trauma and critical care, emergency medical services, and community-based programs designed to improve health outcomes in Newark and across the New Jersey/New York region.  All employees are employees of the State of New Jersey and may be eligible for State Employee Health Benefits and the State Public Employees Retirement System, consistent with the conditions and requirements of those programs.

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you want to grow your career in healthcare while serving a vibrant community, we’d love to meet you.