Associate Director of Staff and Labor Relations

The Opportunity

The Associate Director of Staff and Labor Relations at Cornell University is a strategic, relationship-driven leadership role focused on guiding the university's staff and labor relations strategy across campuses. The Associate Director will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the design, implementation, and administration of university-wide labor and employee relations programs, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The role involves advising senior HR leadership, university administrators, and academic and operational units, and requires judgement and discretion in navigating complex matters with potential legal, financial, or reputational implications for the university.

A central component is leading the university’s labor relations strategy, including serving as lead negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, planning for union organizing activity, and coordinating with the Office of General Counsel on labor matters with legal implications. The Associate Director will help build productive partnerships that support a positive work environment and organizational success across Cornell.

The ideal candidate will bring energy, tenacity, professionalism, exceptional interpersonal and analytical skills, and the ability to navigate complexity, influence stakeholders, and lead through change. This is a senior labor relations professional role that contributes to Cornell’s values-driven labor relations function.

About Staff and Labor Relations

Cornell values its people and has over 20,000 employees worldwide. The division of the Vice President of HR provides strategic direction, leadership, and counsel in labor relations, employee relations, discipline and layoff policy administration. The SLR team serves as a trusted resource to navigate complex workplace issues and strengthen the university’s employment culture.

What We Need

• A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. Your cover letter should describe your interest in the position and explain how your experience and professional goals align with the role's objectives and opportunities for mutual success.
• A Bachelor's degree with seven or more years of experience in private sector labor relations or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

Required experience and traits:

• Effectively consulting with clients to understand HR issues and resolve related problems.
• Lead contract negotiations and resolve complaint management/investigation/resolution.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of labor contracts, personnel policies, mediation and negotiating.
• Consulting on employee relations matters and interpreting organizational policies to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Providing strategic leadership and direction.
• Successfully managing staff and labor relations related projects.
• Communicating complex information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Successfully cultivating relationships with internal and external constituents.
• Leading a team and managing highly motivated and high-functioning individuals.
• Understanding, interpreting, and applying labor laws; advanced knowledge of federal labor and employment laws, including the NLRA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and FERPA.
• Analyzing data, reviewing reports, and providing recommendations.
• Working proactively, independently, and reliably in an action- and deadline-oriented versatile environment.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you. There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• J.D. Degree
• First chair experience negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements in the private sector.
• Experience in a university setting.
• High level of organization, detail oriented and ability to time-manage across multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Leadership and people management experience.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, NY and eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Benefits include health care options, retirement contributions, wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national brands. More information about benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays, plus two floating holidays for observances. More details: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. More details: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Details

University Job Title: Director Employee/Labor Relations I

Job Family: Human Resources

Level: H

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Pay Range: $158,692.00 - $193,956.00

Remote Option Availability: Hybrid

Company: Contract College

Contact Name: Jamie Doss

Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io

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