Director, Labor Relations at ArtCenter College of Design in Altadena, California

Job Description:

Reporting to and working with the Vice President, Employee Experience and Engagement (VPEEE), the Labor Relations Director at ArtCenter College of Design will work with the VPEEE to lead, facilitate and manage the College's labor relations program. This includes, but is not limited to, developing policies, programs, practices and procedures and providing guidance for all labor relations matters. Working with labor counsel, the incumbent will serve as the College's chief negotiator, will guide all bargaining strategies with the understanding that positive experiences and engagements of our students, faculty and staff are a priority for the College, while maintaining the financial viability of the College and the high standard of education that it's known for.

The incumbent will listen, learn and understand the needs of the College community and the guiding principles that drive our organizational culture to lead the day-to-day administration, execution and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, MOUs, side letters, including compliance and effective project management of union contract negotiations, effects bargaining, information requests, grievance procedures, and dispute resolution.

This is a full-time position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position may require flexibility to meet the demands of the work, which includes engaging with constituents at Hillside and South campuses, and on weekends or evenings, if necessary. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling, with in-person presence most days of the week.

Essential Functions

Contract Bargaining Administration - 45%

• Serve as chief negotiator for the College, including new contracts, effects bargaining, Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs), successor agreements, side agreements, settlement agreements and meet and confers
• Work directly with the union's chief negotiator(s) for bargaining schedules and processes
• Collaborate with the union's chief negotiator(s) to identify issues and possible responses associated with bargaining - both in advance of negotiations for strategic planning and during negotiations as new issues arise
• Meet with College administrators to define bargaining goals and principles, understand cultural impacts, and develop approaches and strategies for negotiations
• Hold listening sessions to collect, aggregate and analyze data from various departments and operational units to assess current business practices and the cost impact of potential bargaining initiatives
• Use information learned in information sessions and data gathering to draft proposals for negotiations; receive and assess feedback; track all revisions; record tentative agreements
• Lead contract negotiations team members during regularly scheduled team meetings from strategies to table negotiations; consult with subject matter experts on various bargaining topics to assess impacts during bargaining
• Hear and investigate all union claims of potential unfair labor practice charges or claims that require effects bargaining or a meet and confer; gather information from relevant departments and operational units to assess the merits of the claims under the collective bargaining agreement; prepare responses with clear and concise recitation of the facts, applicable law or contract provisions, appropriate analysis, and recommendations for courses of action
• Organize and document all steps of the bargaining process up to and including contract ratification or impasse protocols

Labor Administration - 45%

• With support from the Employee-Labor Relations Coordinator timely respond to information requests for bargaining, hearings, mediations, arbitrations or other matters that require the College to respond to said requests; assess what information is required under the law and within the union contract; as required, participate in said proceedings
• Maintain a labor activity portal to track all labor activities
• Lead the union-College administrators committee meetings to facilitate proactive and positive labor relations with the union; prepare objectives and agendas
• As a subject matter expert on labor relations, counsel and guide leadership, department heads, managers and supervisors on delicate and sensitive matters pertaining to union issues
• With a strong command and knowledge of the collective bargaining agreement, provide ongoing interpretation, including holding learning sessions with academic and operational leadership for compliance with and administration of the collective bargaining agreement
• In partnership with Marketing and Communications (as necessary), communicate ongoing messaging about bargaining status and other labor relations issues
• As the primary liaison for the union, establish and cultivate professional, productive, collaborative and collegial relationships with internal and external union representatives
• Oversee the grievance process to ensure compliance and facilitate any solutions before they lead to mediation or arbitration
• Comply with federal and state labor and employment laws, including the NLRB and the NLRA for all bargaining activities; consult with legal as needed
• Provide bargaining updates to the Board of Trustees, as requested

Other Duties as Assigned - 10%

• Maintain memberships and active involvement in applicable professional organizations
• Serve on educational or college-wide committees, work groups, task forces and/or councils
• Research trends, best practices and other data that will inform bargaining and labor relations practices and strategies
• Maintain bargaining records and files
• Ongoing learning on federal and state labor and employment laws

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or other related field from an accredited college or university
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in labor relations, business affairs, or legal affairs department
• Proven analytical abilities and project management skills
• A tactful and proven record of accomplishment of successful contract negotiations, with excellent interpersonal skills, professional demeanor, flexibility, and the ability to effectively collaborate while maintaining tact and diplomacy
• Demonstrated skills necessary to bargain in good faith and represent the organization's interests effectively, including in-depth wage and benefits negotiations
• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult or volatile situations and challenging conversations productively
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, proven by the ability to drive projects to successful completion without supervision
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, including grammar proficiency and persuasive writing skills
• Reliability in handling confidential information and exercising appropriate judgment and strong business acumen in executing tasks
• Ability and willingness to problem solve, prioritize, negotiate and juggle changing deadlines
• Advanced knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and court decisions regarding employment-related matters
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, and Zoom in Windows
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging into work practices within Art Center's diverse communities
• Ability to enforce and implement policies and procedures

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor in employment law or another related field
• Higher education labor relations

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