Assistant Vice President, Employee and Labor Relations

Assistant Vice President, Employee and Labor Relations 505 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018, USA Job Description Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, the Assistant Vice President of Employee and Labor Relations is a senior leader within the Human Resources department accountable for overseeing a high volume, complex, employee and labor relations environment across a multi-site organization. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for all employee relations matters, labor union engagement, and workplace investigations, ensuring consistency, compliance, and risk mitigation. The Assistant Vice President will lead a team of three Assistant Directors and oversee Employee and Labor Relations support across more than 20 locations spanning all boroughs. This role requires deep expertise in managing complex employee relations issues, cultivating productive relationships with union leadership, and partnering closely with internal and external legal counsel. This position operates in a fast‑paced, high volume, high accountability environment and requires a leader with exceptional judgment, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to navigate sensitive matters with professionalism and rigor. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership and Oversight Shape and execute Employee and Labor Relations strategy aligned with organizational priorities Advise executive leadership on complex employee relations and labor matters using data, trends, and risk analysis Establish consistent frameworks, standards, and practices across all locations Employee Relations Management Oversee a high-volume caseload of complex employee relations matters (investigations, discipline, terminations, conflict resolution) Ensure consistent, compliant, and equitable handling of all cases Maintain meticulous, audit-ready documentation within HCM systems Analyze case data to identify trends and proactively mitigate organizational risk Labor Relations and Union Engagement Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with union leadership and key representatives Lead labor relations strategy, including interpretation and application of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) Oversee grievance processes, mediations, and dispute resolution efforts Track and analyze grievance and arbitration trends to inform strategy and improve outcomes Investigations, Mediation and Conflict Resolution Lead complex workplace investigations with rigor, objectivity, and attention to detail Apply strong mediation skills to resolve disputes and drive constructive outcomes Ensure all investigative documentation meets legal and audit standards Legal and Compliance Partnership Partner with internal and external legal counsel on employee relations, litigation, and risk mitigation Prepare detailed case summaries, reports, and documentation to support legal strategy Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations Lead, coach, and develop a team of three Assistant Directors Provide oversight to Employee & Labor Relations staff supporting 20+ locations Foster a high-performance, accountable, and service-oriented culture Establish clear expectations for documentation, system utilization, and case management rigor Field Operations and Multi‑Site Support Oversee Employee & Labor Relations support across all boroughs and locations Ensure consistent application of policies and procedures in a decentralized environment Partner with operational leaders to address site‑specific workforce challenges Process Excellence, Systems & Reporting Utilize HCM systems (e.g., Dayforce, ReportIt) for case tracking, documentation, and reporting Develop and maintain Excel‑based dashboards to monitor case volume, trends, and resolution timelines Create executive‑level PowerPoint presentations to communicate insights and recommendations Leverage Outlook and related tools to manage high‑volume communication and coordination Continuously improve processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance Communication and Influence Demonstrate exemplary verbal and written communication skills Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to executives, legal counsel, and union representatives Influence outcomes through credibility, professionalism, and data‑driven recommendations Other Perform additional duties as assigned MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field; or comparable experience (Master’s degree preferred) 10+ years of progressive Employee and Labor Relations experience in high-volume, complex environments Demonstrated experience cultivating relationships with labor union leadership Strong experience managing grievances, mediations, and dispute resolution Proven experience leading complex workplace investigations Experience working with internal and external legal counsel Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams Experience supporting multi-site, decentralized operations Meticulous attention to detail and strong documentation practices Exemplary technical expertise in employee and labor relations Strong judgment and ability to navigate sensitive situations Ability to operate with rigor in a fast‑paced, high demand, high volume environment Exemplary verbal and written communication skills Strong organizational and workload management capabilities Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite Strong experience with HCM systems and data-driven decision-making PREFERRED HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) highly preferred Benefits *Hybrid work schedule, three days in office. #J-18808-Ljbffr