Req #: 242065 Department: UW HUMAN RESOURCES Job Location Detail: Hybrid - at least two days per week in office Posting Date: 12/18/2024 Closing Info: Closes On 12/28/2024 Salary: $7,647 - $13,500 per month Limited Recruitment: **Open to Department employees only** Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701\_a11y.pdf) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. The Assistant Director for Labor Relations provides leadership and operational oversight for the Campus or UW Medicine Labor Relations team while actively serving as a negotiator for collective bargaining agreements. This role is critical in supporting the University of Washington’s mission to be an employer of choice, fostering productive labor-management relationships, and ensuring alignment with institutional values of equity, collaboration, and excellence. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Labor Relations, the Assistant Director plays a pivotal role in managing labor relations strategies across the University’s diverse operations, encompassing three campuses, two medical centers, and numerous other locations. The position combines team leadership responsibilities with direct engagement in union negotiations, contract administration, and labor relations projects, ensuring thoughtful outcomes that recognize the contributions of UW employees and uphold the University’s commitment to public stewardship. The Assistant Director for Labor Relations plays a pivotal role in fostering a collaborative and productive work environment at the university by managing critical aspects of labor relations. This position directly influences the university’s ability to maintain positive relationships with unionized staff, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, and addressing labor disputes effectively. The role also has a significant impact on shaping policies and practices that align with the university’s mission and values while balancing operational needs. By providing strategic guidance on labor relations matters, leading negotiations, and serving as a trusted advisor to university leadership, the Assistant Director ensures a stable labor climate that supports the institution’s academic and administrative goals. These efforts are essential to supporting an engaged, diverse workforce and ensuring the University’s continued success as a public institution of excellence. **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** **35% - Collective Bargaining and Negotiation** Serve as the chief negotiator for assigned collective bargaining agreements, representing the University in contract negotiations with unions. Develop and implement bargaining strategies aligned with the University’s goals and values, draft proposals, analyze union demands, and lead negotiation teams to consensus and final agreements. Provide historical and regional context to support negotiation strategies and ensure compliance with labor laws, University policies, and collective bargaining agreements. **20% - Team Management** Provide day-to-day supervision for assigned negotiator team(s), supervising staff to ensure effective service delivery across labor relations activities. Mentor and guide staff in handling grievances, demands to bargain, union notifications, and other contract-related matters. Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President to align team goals with labor relations strategies. Support team members in professional development, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture. **15% - Contract Administration and Union Relations** Oversee the administration of collective bargaining agreements, ensuring consistent interpretation and application across the University’s campuses, medical centers, and administrative units. Act as a primary liaison between labor unions and the University, facilitating discussions at joint labor-management meetings and resolving disputes to maintain positive, productive relationships. **10% - Compliance, Risk Mitigation, and Legal Representation** Monitor labor trends and ensure compliance with federal, state, and University labor regulations. Represent the University in mediations, arbitrations, and proceedings before the Public Employment Relations Commission to protect the institution’s rights and interests. Provide guidance to management on compliance-related matters, including contract interpretation, grievance resolution, and labor law. **10% - Internal Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement** Coordinate labor relations-related activities with other University units, including Human Resources, Academic Human Resources, UW Medicine, and administrative departments. Serve as a resource for implementing labor relations strategies that support culture and organizational change. Ensure timely and accurate communication of labor relations developments to stakeholders, aligning activities across the University’s diverse environments. **10% - Process Improvement and Training** Drive process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of labor relations services, including refining workflows, responding to union information requests, and coordinating with Compensation on classification issues. Develop and deliver targeted training programs resulting from these improvements to equip managers, supervisors, and HR professionals with knowledge of labor law, collective bargaining agreements, and best practices for dispute resolution and employee engagement. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS** • Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. Equivalent experience may substitute for the degree requirement. • At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, including serving as a lead negotiator in collective bargaining agreements. **Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.** **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS** • Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying labor laws, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements. • Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and applying labor laws, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements. • Proven ability to lead and coordinate complex negotiation teams, managing successful outcomes without direct supervisory authority. • Strong ability to guide, mentor, and influence team members and stakeholders toward shared goals. • Experience managing complex labor relations cases, including grievance resolution, arbitration, and compliance-related matters. • Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in high-stakes, fast-paced environments. • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. • Demonstrated ability to implement process improvements and align labor strategies with organizational goals. • Proficiency in using labor relations information systems, word processing, and other office technology. **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS** • Advanced degree in Industrial Relations, Law, Business Administration, or related field. • Experience in a public-sector or higher education setting, particularly with unionized workforces. • Knowledge of classification and compensation practices within labor relations. • Proven track record of developing and delivering training programs for managers and HR professionals. • Familiarity with University of Washington operations and institutional structure. **WORKING CONDITIONS** Hybrid office environment, at least two days in office per week. Extensive workload demands might require greater than a 40-hour workweek; working under pressure with anticipated and unexpected issues affecting workload management. **Application Process:** The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you log into your “My Jobs” page. If you choose to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.