VP - Workforce Relations & Compliance

Overview The Vice President, Workforce Relations & Compliance provides strategic leadership for labor relations, employee relations, workforce compliance, policy governance, workforce accountability, and labor-management partnerships across UCSF Health and Campus. The position serves as the principal advisor to executive leadership on workforce strategy, labor relations, collective bargaining, workforce accountability, compliance, workforce policy, and workforce-related organizational risk. Working closely with the University of California Office of the President, the UC Office of General Counsel, UC Systemwide Labor Relations & Employee Relations, UCSF Campus Counsel, UC campuses, and UC Health systems, the Vice President represents UCSF’s interests in systemwide labor relations initiatives, collective bargaining strategy, workforce policy development, labor litigation, and labor‑management partnerships. The Vice President is the executive leader responsible for transforming Workforce Relations functions across UCSF by modernizing workforce policies, improving service delivery, simplifying processes, enhancing workforce experiences, and strengthening transparency, consistency, accountability, and responsiveness across labor relations, employee relations, compliance, and workforce governance programs. The position is UCSF’s designated executive accountable for enterprise compliance with collective bargaining agreements, workforce policies, arbitration awards, settlement agreements, labor‑management commitments, and workforce‑related legal and regulatory requirements, including formal governance and oversight responsibilities established through labor agreements such as the AFSCME Article 5 Responsible Executive role. Through strategic leadership, governance, executive alignment, and organizational transformation, the Vice President advances a culture of accountability, consistency, partnership, and operational excellence that supports UCSF’s mission and strategic priorities. Key Responsibilities Establish the vision, strategic priorities, operating model, and enterprise objectives for Workforce Relations functions, ensuring alignment with UCSF’s mission, workforce strategy, and organizational priorities. Lead enterprise transformation of Workforce Relations by modernizing workforce policies, improving workforce experiences, simplifying processes, strengthening service delivery, and advancing organizational effectiveness across labor relations, employee relations, compliance, and workforce governance functions. Partner with executive leadership, operational leaders, employees, labor organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen workforce accountability, improve workforce experiences, and advance organizational change initiatives. Establish enterprise service standards, performance metrics, and accountability measures that improve transparency, responsiveness, consistency, service quality, and organizational outcomes. Leverage technology, analytics, automation, and continuous improvement methodologies to modernize workforce programs and improve operational effectiveness. Build and sustain a high‑performing Workforce Relations organization through effective leadership, talent development, succession planning, and a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and service excellence. Establish UCSF’s workforce relations strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and UC systemwide labor relations objectives. Serve as UCSF’s senior representative with UCOP Labor Relations, UC Systemwide Employee Relations, the UC Office of General Counsel, Campus Counsel, UC campuses, UC Health systems, labor organizations, and executive leadership on workforce and labor relations matters. Advise and align executive leadership regarding workforce strategy, labor relations developments, organizational change initiatives, labor‑management partnerships, collective bargaining obligations, and workforce implications of strategic decisions. Monitor labor relations trends, grievance activity, employee relations issues, arbitration outcomes, unfair labor practice proceedings, and emerging workforce developments across UCSF and the UC system, identifying systemic issues and preparing the organization for future workforce challenges. Provide executive sponsorship and oversight for implementation of successor collective bargaining agreements, side letters, memoranda of understanding, and labor‑management commitments. Establish the strategic direction and governance framework for workforce accountability, workforce policy, compliance, and risk management programs. Lead enterprise policy modernization efforts to simplify workforce policies, strengthen alignment with organizational priorities, improve usability, and enhance workforce and manager experiences. Oversee an enterprise workforce compliance and governance program focused on adherence to collective bargaining agreements, UC systemwide policies, Personnel Policies for Staff Members, arbitration awards, settlement agreements, labor‑management commitments, and workforce‑related legal and regulatory requirements. Serve as UCSF’s AFSCME Article 5 Responsible Executive and provide executive oversight for workforce compliance, organizational accountability, and workforce governance obligations. Foster a culture of accountability, consistency, transparency, and continuous improvement, ensuring workforce policies, collective bargaining agreements, and enterprise expectations are applied consistently across UCSF. Provide executive leadership and strategic direction regarding unfair labor practice charges, PERB proceedings, grievance arbitrations, labor‑related litigation, settlement agreements, and other workforce disputes affecting UCSF. Partner closely with UCOP Labor Relations, the UC Office of General Counsel, Campus Counsel, external legal counsel, and UC system partners to develop labor relations and legal strategies, oversee significant arbitration and litigation matters, and ensure effective implementation of workforce‑related rulings and obligations. Assess the implications of arbitration decisions, PERB rulings, settlement agreements, UCOP directives, and significant labor relations developments across the UC system and advise executive leadership regarding resulting workforce and organizational impacts. Lead UCSF’s enterprise preparedness for and response to labor actions, in partnership with UCSF Emergency Management and executive leadership, ensuring continuity of operations, patient care, education, and research activities. Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on workforce strategy, workforce accountability, labor‑management partnerships, organizational change, and workforce‑related risks and opportunities. Lead enterprise implementation and executive alignment efforts related to new legislation, regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements, arbitration awards, settlement agreements, and UC systemwide policy changes. Ensure UCSF is positioned to address emerging workforce challenges and opportunities, including workforce transformation, technology adoption, AI‑related workforce impacts, operational redesign, and other strategic initiatives. Represent UCSF in systemwide workforce strategy discussions and contribute to the development of long‑term workforce relations approaches that support the University’s mission and strategic priorities. Qualifications Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Deep knowledge of California labor law, public sector labor relations, and union environments. Demonstrated experience building or transforming HR functions and operating models. Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization. Excellent ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals to measure effectiveness of contributions to efficient operations; excellent leadership to oversee multiple functions or departments through subordinate managers. Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques; demonstrated ability to handle extremely difficult or volatile situations or individuals effectively. Able to interpret and communicate, both verbally and in writing, highly complex and often highly technical information in a clear and concise manner; excellent communication skills with a diversity of communication styles; may make oral or written presentations. Excellent management skills that include collaboration, coaching, and developing subordinates; ability to build relationships; able to attract, develop, engage and retain staff. Demonstrated ability to execute strategies to address an identified problem. Ability to gain credibility with all levels of leadership; ability to build trusting and productive relationships with peers and colleagues. Proven track record partnering with audit and risk functions to implement compliance programs. Core Competencies Strategic Thinking & Execution Labor Relations Expertise Organizational Transformation Risk Assessment & Mitigation Policy Development & Governance Change Leadership Collaboration & Influence Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field (Required). Advanced degree (MBA, JD, or related field) preferred. 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in labor relations, employee relations, and HR compliance (Required). Experience within the UC system or large academic medical centers preferred. Experience with enterprise‑wide compliance and governance. UCSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or other legally protected characteristics. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California - San Francisco