Employee Relations Consultant - Open Rank

About the role

The Employee & Labor Relations Consultant and Senior Employee Relations Consultant positions at UMass Chan Medical School provide guidance, support, and expertise in employee and labor relations matters. These roles aim to ensure legal compliance and adherence to UMass Chan policies and procedures while minimizing liability to the institution. The positions collaborate with other HR team members to address organizational needs and contribute to HR strategies.

Responsibilities

• Performs contract administration and interpretation, grievance processing, preparation of disciplinary action, participation in labor-management committees, impact bargaining sessions, and training.
• Counsels management and staff on the performance management process.
• Interprets and applies UMass Chan policies and procedures, applicable federal and state laws and regulations to decisions impacting employer-employee relations.
• Minimizes organizational exposure by ensuring consistent application and interpretation of contractual provisions and related human resources policies.
• Promotes and maintains positive employee and labor relations through partnerships with employees and managers.
• Develops and maintains good working relationships with UMass Chan labor representatives.
• Provides managers with expert technical assistance, problem-solving, letter writing, and early intervention with labor relations/employee relations issues.
• Manages and resolves sensitive and complex employee & labor relations matters.
• Administers various meetings and hearings; schedules, prepares for, and participates in hearings and arbitrations; communicates and corresponds with unions, UMass Chan leaders, the University of Massachusetts, UMass Chan's clinical partners, and other Labor & Employee Relations Consultants.
• Conducts investigations regarding potential misconduct and violations of UMass Chan policy.
• Writes comprehensive fact-finding reports on investigative findings.
• Participates in employee training programs as required.
• Ensures employee & labor relations case management systems are accurate and complete.
• Partners/collaborates with other HR centers of excellence to deliver optimal service to the customer.
• In consultation with the Director of Employee Relations: prepares proposals, counter proposals, costing information, and other information and documentation necessary for contract negotiations and participates in negotiations.
• Investigates and settles grievances under established grievance procedures.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation of briefs for arbitration and mediation cases and conducts presentations at hearings as needed.
• Facilitates the creation of settlement agreements to include Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) on behalf of UMass Chan.
• Collects, analyzes, and summarizes data and trends.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of employee relations experience.
• 1-3 years of labor relations experience.
• Ability to provide credible HR guidance to and influence management at all levels.
• Proven experience coaching and counseling all levels of staff on a wide variety of issues, and a thorough understanding of employment law.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates credibility and integrity in communications.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation.
• Demonstrated team player.
• Strong customer focus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to successfully interface at all levels of the organization.
• Computer skills in MS office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), PeopleSoft and HRIS.
• Strong business acumen and a working knowledge of multiple HR disciplines.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to analyze data, understand trends, develop recommendations.
• Ability to travel between business locations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Public sector or higher education labor relations experience.
• PHR or SPHR certification.
• Lever experience a plus.
• Prior experience in a lead role or with facilitating large complex projects.
• Prior experience with electronic case management systems.