Executive Director: Employee Relations

Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for employee and labor relations functions across Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Directs collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance resolution, and employee relations programs that support workforce stability and organizational effectiveness aligned with the AACPS Strategic Plan and system priorities. Guides the development and implementation of labor relations strategies and serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership on labor and employee relations matters. Promotes the consistent application of negotiated agreements, Board policies, administrative procedures, and employment practices while fostering productive labor-management relationships and mitigating organizational risk.

Responsibilities

• Shapes the development and implementation of systemwide employee and labor relations strategies, priorities, programs, and accountability measures aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs.
• Serves as the chief negotiator for the Board of Education in collective bargaining and represents the school system in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, impasse proceedings, and other labor-management matters.
• Leads the administration and interpretation of negotiated agreements, providing guidance and consultation to administrators and supervisors to support the consistent application of contract provisions, Board policies, administrative procedures, and employment practices.
• Directs the grievance, complaint, and dispute resolution processes, ensuring concerns are addressed in a timely, equitable, and legally compliant manner while promoting productive labor-management relationships.
• Advises the Superintendent, Board of Education, Chief Human Resources Officer, and executive leadership on labor relations strategy, workforce issues, collective bargaining matters, emerging trends, and organizational risks, providing recommendations to support informed decision-making.
• Coordinates the development of bargaining proposals, position statements, supporting documentation, cost analyses, and related materials to support negotiations and Board decision-making.
• Facilitates cross-functional efforts with Human Resources, Legal Services, Finance, and other offices to develop and implement labor-management strategies, respond to complex employee relations matters, and support organizational priorities.
• Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with employee association representatives to foster effective communication, resolve complex issues, and support collaborative labor-management partnerships.
• Oversees the preparation, publication, distribution, and implementation support of negotiated agreements and related employee relations communications, guidance, and resources.
• Monitors labor relations trends, workforce data, legal developments, and best practices to inform recommendations, mitigate risk, and support continuous improvement efforts.
• Supervises, evaluates, and develops assigned staff; manages department resources; and promotes a culture of professionalism, collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in business or public administration, human resources management, labor relations, law, or a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10 or more years of relevant progressively responsible experience in employee and labor relations; and 10 or more years of related management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive knowledge of labor relations laws, negotiation techniques, and contract preparation.
• Knowledge of AACPS Negotiated Agreements, Policies and Regulations, and Employment Law.
• Demonstrated successful management experience.
• Ability to interpret and explain bargaining issues and to formulate bargaining positions.
• Ability to resolve disputes in accordance with established labor/employee relations principles.
• Demonstrated excellence establishing and maintaining high customer service standards.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with the use and application of computerized central record-keeping systems.
• Ability to create a positive environment that values, respects, and leverages all employee talents while providing fair advancement for all employees.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g., video/web conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint).
• Hold or be eligible for a Driver's License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required; and daily access to reliable transportation.

Leadership Role

• First-level supervisor with responsibility for 1 to 5 direct staff and indirect staff.
• Manages 1 to 2 departments.
• Interviews, selects, and trains employees.
• Sets/adjusts pay rates and work hours.
• Directs the work of employees and maintains records for use in supervision.
• Assesses employees’ performance (productivity/efficiency) to make promotional recommendations or other status changes.
• Handles employee complaints/grievances and disciplines employees.
• Plans the work and determines techniques, materials, supplies, machinery, equipment, or tools to be used.
• Apportions work among employees and controls the flow and distribution of materials or merchandise and supplies.
• Provides for the safety and security of employees or property.
• Plans and controls the budget and monitors legal compliance measures.

Schedule

• 260 days worked per year, 12 months worked, 8 hours per day.
• Based on assignment, additional work days and/or hours may be required, including flexible schedules, emergencies, evenings/nights, extended hours, holidays, outside of normal business hours, and summer hours.
• 5% day travel within the county.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Standing: under 1/3 of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Driving: under 1/3 of the time
• Lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds: under 1/3 of the time
• Work environment: Office, school, or similar indoor environment over 2/3 of the time.
• Noise level: Moderate (between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time).
• No special vision requirements.