Job Description

The Office of Human Resources is recruiting two Senior Labor Relations Consultants to join our Employee and Labor Relations Center of Expertise and Consulting team. This position reports to the Senior Director of Employee and Labor Relations and serves as a lead or second-chair negotiator for the University in labor contract negotiations. The responsibilities include but are not limited to consulting on employee and labor relations matters, developing contract proposals, negotiating contracts, facilitating labor management committees, and oversight of the grievance process and writing grievance decisions. This position partners with senior leadership to design, update and implement effective labor relations strategies.

• Collaborates with senior leadership to develop and execute proactive labor and management relations strategies and actions to ensure productive labor relations. 
• Partners with OHR functional leaders to identify the Universityâ™s goals and principles in the collective bargaining process and develops the bargaining strategy for each bargaining round with each union. 
• Serves as lead or second-chair negotiator on behalf of the University during union contract negotiations and Bureau of Mediation Services mediation; provides information and conducts bargaining analyses with various University constituents before, during and throughout the duration of the contract negotiation process.
• Chairs or facilitates labor management committees, task forces, or related initiatives.
• Consults on contract interpretation and related labor issues to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, University policies and practices, and applicable collective bargaining agreements
• Serves as the hearing officer for union grievances at the final step preceding arbitration. Assists the Office of General Counsel as needed in preparation and presentation of grievances at arbitration.
• Collaborates with OHR senior leadership to manage University responses to union organizing activity and coordinates responses to union election campaigns, including training of management personnel, interfacing with unions and the Bureau of Mediation Services.
• Develops and delivers labor training for supervisors and HR community.

Essential/Required Qualifications:

• A BA/BS degree in Human Resources or related field plus a minimum of 8 years labor relations experience. 
• Experience must include serving as a lead or second chair in major labor contract negotiations, as well as an active role in grievance processing and advising on union contract interpretation matters and arbitrations.
• Strong understanding of labor and employment laws.
• Evidence of excellent written and oral communication skills, to include public speaking.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively participating in collaborative, team-oriented environments with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in using Google Suite and Microsoft Excel. 
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills.
• Experience facilitating and leading teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Human Resources/Industrial Relations or Juris Doctor degree.
• Experience serving on a labor management committee or other labor management initiatives. 
• Union organizing campaign experience.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota Public Employment in Labor Relations Act (PELRA)Experience working as a human resources generalist in a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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