Manager of Labor Relations

About the role

The Manager of Labor Relations is responsible for maintaining an ongoing professional dialogue with all Trial Court unions, addressing issues and grievances, clarifying management policies, resolving conflicts, providing contract and personnel policy interpretation, and assisting with various human resources matters.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the hearing officer for all grievances at Step III of the union grievance procedure.
• Initiates investigations and related inquiries concerning workplace misconduct and disciplinary matters.
• Investigates claims of workplace conflict and prepares reports of findings.
• Assists in the development, negotiation, and implementation of collective bargaining provisions and personnel policies and procedures.
• Drafts a variety of legal memoranda and documents related to employment litigation as needed.
• Provides assistance and advice to judges, department heads and employees concerning employee relations, contract administration and interpretation, personnel policy and procedure interpretation, and general human resources management.
• Plans, develops and conducts training sessions for department heads and supervisors.
• Provides interpretation of personnel policies and procedures to managers and employees.
• Consults with Talent Acquisition to research and resolve questions about the hiring process including screening and interviewing of union candidates.
• Assists in instructing appointing authorities or their designees on a variety of labor issues, provisions of collective bargaining agreements, and human resources policies and procedures.
• Manages multiple complex labor relations matters or employee investigations simultaneously.
• Led special projects.
• Responds to inquiries for information and attends proceedings at the Department of Unemployment Assistance.
• Assists in the development and presentation of Labor Relations Training Programs for Managers throughout the Trial Court.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 6 years of professional labor relations experience, at least 3 of which must be management work experience.
• A law degree and admission to the practice of law in Massachusetts, or a related graduate degree is preferred.
• Professional Development: Must have a background that demonstrates a history of regular professional development; demonstrating a record of initiating best practices, the consistent application of policies, and innovative approaches to labor relations and conducting employment related investigations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally with persons at all levels, including judges, and to maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to perform human resources related activities of the most complex and non-routine nature, including researching issues and recommending feasible solutions.
• Knowledge of and ability to use personal computers and related software, including HR/CMS (Oracle/PeopleSoft) and MS Office.
• Ability to understand and administer policies and procedures of the Human Resources Department and the Massachusetts Trial Court.
• Ability to multi-task and manage a variety of assignments at once.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and develop workarounds for issues that require timely resolution.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to communicate very clearly and effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to work independently and with an attention to detail.
• Ability to travel within the Commonwealth if necessary.