Labor Relations Director

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

Position Overview:
The University of Chicago is seeking a Labor Relations Director to provide strategic direction focused on analyzing and understanding labor relations trends within the university and externally in order to design, recommend and promote relevant labor strategies that help position the university as an employer of choice. The successful candidate will be an advocate and champion for building a productive management/ union working environment. The Labor Relations Director will develop and own the labor strategy and, at all times, represent the university's best interests in all labor matters. To do this well and successfully, the Director will be well-versed and grounded in all university labor contracts and seize opportunities during contract negotiations to clarify existing language and recommend agreements and policies that positively impact the future direction of the university/ union relationship. The Director will own and update union-related policies ensuring a currency and relevancy to current and future needs of the university.  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in a relevant field;
• JD in labor law and a member of the Illinois Bar Association or Master's degree in labor relations or industrial relations preferred;
• Ten or more years of increasingly responsible labor relations and management experience required;
• The successful candidate will have operated in a decentralized environment or at least across multiple and varied employment environments including across various cultures and labor relations environments;
• The successful candidate will be regarded as the expert within his/her field. The impact on the university is significant; therefore, the analysis and strategy recommendations this individual makes will potentially contribute to positioning the university as the employer of choice;
• Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of principles, practices, regulations and applicable federal and state laws relating to labor relations;
• Concise and clear written and oral communicator who effectively and positively interacts with employees at all levels;
• Must possess an ability to demonstrate objectivity, sensitivity and a balanced perspective when resolving labor issues;
• Strong detail orientation with the ability to prepare, analyze and produce comprehensive reports on labor issues, trends, resolutions and opportunities for improvement;
• Must possess considerable relationship management and interpersonal skills.

The University:
The University of Chicago is one of the world's preeminent research universities and has long been committed to open, rigorous, and intense inquiry and pedagogy. The work of its faculty has defined several schools of thought and has had transformative impact on such fields as economics, science energy production, mathematics, medicine, law, business, religion, policy, sociology, archeology, and historical, cultural and literary analysis. Consisting of an undergraduate college, four graduate divisions, and six professional schools, the University operates two major national laboratories, an internationally renowned medical center, an outstanding pre-K-12 private school, a charter school with four distinct campuses, a professional theatre, museums, and the nation's largest academic press. The University also has a strong global presence with its own facilities in London, Paris, and Singapore and active educational programs in locations throughout the world.  The University of Chicago offers a comprehensive benefits program with many choices to meet the diverse needs of our employees.

How to Apply:
Use the following link to apply for this position: https://jobopportunities.uchicago.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=204177

There will be no relocation assistance for this position.