Senior Director of Employee Relations

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed. Job Summary The Senior Director of Employee Relations will provide management oversight and supervision to the employee relations partners and provide guidance to all employees on a wide variety of employee relations topics. Drive culture change using Employee Relations group by aligning daily workplace practices with core values, helping managers handle team conflicts early and building trust and shift from just enforcing to partnering. Duties & Responsibilities Employee Relations Strategy & Leadership Develop and execute the Employee Relations strategy aligned with business goals and critical stakeholders by leading the Employee Relations team to establish standards, governance, and service delivery models Develop and execute sustainable, scalable initiatives, mechanisms, and programs that drive long-lasting change at all levels of the organization Swiftly produce high-quality executive level communications that concisely analyze challenges and move solutions from concept to execution, translating complex employee relations issues into actionable solutions. Set and maintain consistent investigative standards, documentation protocols, and ER governance frameworks to ensure high-quality, uniform ER practice across the Authority. Leadership & Influence Influence leaders to secure alignment, build support, and cultivate positive change agents across the organization Build constructive relationships with critical stakeholders and peers to share information, influence change, and leverage resources to deliver results. Lead organizational culture change initiatives that foster employee engagement, accountability, and a respectful workplace. Drive culture change by utilizing employee relations information to educate leaders and managers regarding issues and problems being reported to the employee relations and guide proactive strategies of how they can be addressed. Work with other workforce internal groups (such as business partner team and training team) to ensure a cohesive internal strategy of joint culture change throughout the MBTA business groups Lead, mentor and provide strategic direction to Employee Relations professionals in advising HR Business Partners (HRBPs), managers, and leadership on workplace conflicts, performance management, workforce assessments, organizational restructures, job descriptions, employee complaints, and mediation efforts. Coach management and serve as a trusted advisor on difficult employee situations, conflict resolution, leadership effectiveness, organizational change, and difficult conversations. Work with Training Leaders to design manager training on investigations, documentation, performance management, respectful workplace, harassment prevention, conflict management, and employment law compliance. Design solutions for a single person, site, station, or situation, and then translate, design, and launch sustainable mechanisms for the entire agency. Challenge current practices, industry status quo, and generate creative mechanisms that bring about large-scale solutions to improve organizational effectiveness. Work in ambiguous situations and persevere through internal and external barriers to drive resolutions. Assessment, Data Analytics & Analysis Assess workforce trends, organizational dynamics, behaviors, and relationships to proactively identify workplace risks and gaps/opportunities to establish a positive employer-employee relationship and promote a high level of employee morale Analyze employee relations metrics including investigations, grievances, turnover, complaints, litigation, engagement, exit interviews, and performance trends to identify root causes and drive solutions Develop executive dashboards, reports, and data-driven recommendations that support strategic decision-making and provide guidance to leadership using workforce analytics to strengthen workplace culture, improve employee engagement, and enhance retention. Support the annual employee engagement survey by participating in planning, implementation, training, analysis, and action planning. Establish success measures and evaluate the effectiveness of Employee Relations programs and initiatives. Employment Law & Risk Management Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws; partner with Legal on litigation, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) / Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) charges, agency responses, subpoenas, to proactively reduce legal risk. Partner with Legal, Office of Diversity and Civil Rights (ODCR), and other stakeholders regarding litigation, agency responses, investigations, subpoenas, discrimination complaints, harassment allegations, and employment-related risk. Identify compliance risks and recommend changes to HR policies, employee handbooks, codes of conduct, disciplinary guidelines, workplace standards, and complaint procedures. Partner with Leave Administration to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reasonable accommodation requirements. Risk Detection and Mitigation Apply employee relations expertise to proactively identify emerging workplace risks and develop mitigation strategies that reduce legal and organizational exposure Proactively work with ODCR to review and identify organizational trends and recommend preventative programs that improve workplace climate and reduce employee relations issues. Ensure accurate reporting to ensure MBTA and ODCR cases are addressed and closed out timely and proper communication to employees. Provide strategic leadership during crisis-oriented employee relations matters while exercising sound judgment and leadership under time-sensitive conditions. Support organizational retention efforts through trend analysis, workforce assessments, and targeted intervention strategies. Workplace Investigations Oversee complex, sensitive and high-risk investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics, misconduct, workplace violence, hostile work environment and complaints to ensure consistent investigative practices and documentation. Continuously improve investigation protocols, frameworks for coaching, corrective action, terminations and documentation, and advise leaders on complex performance situations to reduce claims and ensure consistency. Develop investigative strategies, gather facts, interview witnesses, document findings, recommend corrective actions, and ensure consistent implementation of disciplinary measures. Direct the Authority's EthicsPoint program by assigning investigations, monitoring case progress, participating in EthicsPoint governance meetings, and ensuring timely resolution of reported concerns. Partner closely with Legal, Labor Relations and ODCR on investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other protected class matters. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Partnerships Work closely with HRBPs, ODCR, Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Benefits, Legal, Security, Compliance, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and executive leadership. Partner with Labor Relations on grievances, arbitrations, disciplinary actions, bargaining issues, contract interpretation, and union strategy. Build constructive relationships with critical stakeholders to share information and influence change. Cultivate collaborative partnerships across departments to promote consistent employee relations practices and a positive workplace culture. Maintain strict confidentiality of information to include, but not limited to, conversations, documents, files, complaints, and investigations. Performs all other duties and projects that may be assigned. Additional responsibilities may include focusing on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions. Supervision Directly supervise Employee Relations team members Minimum Requirements & Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree required from an accredited institution Ten (10) or more years of progressive legal responsibilities with experience in FTA regulations, ADA, Title VI, DBE, EEO, employee relations, labor relations, human resources, employment law, workplace investigations, or a related field Seven (7) years managerial, supervisory, and/or leadership experience Demonstrated expertise interpreting and applying federal, state, and local employment laws, including Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and related regulations, and partnering effectively with legal counsel on complex employment matters Strong awareness of state and federal employment regulations Understanding of collective bargaining agreements (CBA’s) as it relates to employee relations and grievance processes Resourceful, analytical, and problem-solving aptitude Excellent communication, consulting, and influencing skills Demonstrated experience responding to clients with a customer service attitude Strong ability to work independently, lead teams, and manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong attention to detail required Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality Proficiency with Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable learning new technical systems as needed Substitutions A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement. An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement. A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience. A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience. Preferred Experience & Skills Master's degree (MBA, MPA, MSHRM, or related field). Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent professional certification. Mediation or workplace investigation certifications. Experience with HRIS systems. Job Conditions Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program. Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role. Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences. Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required). Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers. Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies. Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection). Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings. Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service. Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program. Disclaimers And Definitions General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io . Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions . Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops. #J-18808-Ljbffr MBTA