Position Information
Position Information
Posting Number
S-4024
Position Number
72885
Type of Recruitment
External
Position Title
DEPUTY DIRECTOR / EMPLOYEE & LABOR RELATIONS
Position Summary
The Deputy Director of Employee and Labor Relations supports the administration of the university's employee and labor relations programs by providing consultation, policy administration, workplace conflict resolution, training, and employee relations support to supervisors, employees, and university leadership. Serving as a key partner to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, the Deputy Director promotes consistent application of university policies, supports a positive employee experience, and assists in maintaining productive labor-management relationships. The Deputy Director serves as the primary administrator of key policies, handbooks, and management resources; leads supervisor development and employee relations training initiatives; coordinates employee governance and feedback programs; and assists with investigations, discipline, grievance administration, collective bargaining, and labor relations activities. The position helps ensure legal compliance, organizational effectiveness, and continuity of Employee and Labor Relations operations.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree, preferably in Human Resource Management, Labor and Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
Four years of relevant professional experience in human resources, employee relations, labor relations, or a related field.
Experience interpreting and applying employment policies, procedures, and workplace practices, and the ability to tie Collective Bargaining agreement provisions to University Polices and procedures.
Experience providing consultation to supervisors and employees regarding employee relations matters.
Experience developing and delivering training programs. Examples to include Contract Administration and Interpretation, Disciplinary Procedures 101 & Grievance Procedures.
Experience coordinating projects, committees, or organizational initiatives.
Strong organizational, analytical, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability and willingness to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
Demonstrated competence in using personal computers and computer software applications.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, Law, or a related field.
Experience in a unionized work environment.
Experience administering employee handbooks, policies, or employment programs.
Experience conducting workplace investigations.
Experience supporting collective bargaining or grievance administration.
Experience in higher education.
Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
Training or certification in investigations, mediation, conflict resolution, or employment law.
Duties & Responsibilities
Employee Relations:
-Advises supervisors and department leaders regarding employee relations issues, performance management, attendance concerns, workplace conflict, corrective action, and application of university policies.
-Assist supervisors in addressing employee performance and conduct concerns through coaching, counseling, and progressive discipline processes.
-Facilitates informal resolution of workplace concerns and helps promote positive working relationships across the university.
-Provides guidance regarding employee relations best practices and workplace expectations.
Policy and Handbook Administration:
-Serves as the primary administrator for the Professional & Administrative (P&A) employee group.
-Maintains, interprets, and recommends revisions to the P&A Handbook to ensure consistency with university practices and human resources policies.
-Maintains and interprets the Senior Officer Handbook.
-Administers and updates the University's Progressive Discipline Manual and related management resources.
-Leads the review, revision, development, and implementation of administrative policies impacting human resources practices.
-Collaborates with stakeholders to ensure policies align with organizational objectives, legal requirements, and operational needs.
Supervisor Development and Training:
-Develops, coordinates, and delivers supervisor and management training programs on employee relations, corrective performance management, progressive discipline, workplace investigations, policy interpretation, documentation practices, and conflict resolution.
-Develops tools and resources to support effective supervision and consistent administration of employment practices.
-Evaluates training effectiveness and recommends improvements to management development initiatives.
Employee Engagement and Shared Governance:
-Coordinates and supports the Professional & Administrative Council (P&A Council).
-Assists with communications, elections, meeting coordination, agenda preparation, and follow-up activities related to P&A Council operations.
-Serves as a liaison between university leadership and P&A employee representatives.
-Coordinates employee exit survey processes and prepares reports identifying trends, opportunities, and recommendations.
-Supports employee engagement, retention, and workplace culture initiatives.
-Supports the Police Oversight Committee.
Labor Relations:
-Assists the Director with administration of collective bargaining agreements and interpretation of contract provisions.
-Researches labor relations matters and prepares analyses, reports, and supporting documentation.
-Assists with grievance administration, labor-management meetings, and dispute resolution activities.
-Supports preparation for collective bargaining negotiations, including data gathering, analysis, proposal development, and documentation.
-Maintains labor relations records and files as assigned.
Investigations and Compliance:
-Assists with workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, policy violations, employee complaints, and other employee relations matters.
-Gathers information, conducts interviews, analyzes findings, and prepares investigative summaries and reports.
-Maintains confidential investigation, grievance, and employee relations records.
Assists in ensuring compliance with university policies, employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory requirements.
-Identifies and escalates potential employee relations risks to the Director as appropriate.
Operational Support:
-Assists with communications related to employee and labor relations matters.
-Assists with future establishment of ERP system in regard to employee relations data/workflows.
-Represents Employee & Labor Relations on committees, task forces, and special projects as assigned.
-Serves as a resource to Human Resources colleagues on employee relations, policy, and labor relations matters.
-Provides continuity of operations during the absence of the Director of Employee and Labor Relations.
-Performs other similar and related duties, as assigned.
Supervision Exercised
None.
Message to Applicants
You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position.
Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee.
This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials by November 30th, 2026.
Employee Group
Professional & Administrative -Salary
Staff Pay Level
Pay Range
$85,000 - $100,000
Division
Finance and Administrative Services
Department
HR - Employee Relations
Position Status
Provisional
Position End Date
06/30/2030
Employment Status
Full-Time
FTE
1.0
Position Type
12 month
Weekly Work Schedule
Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed
Location
Mount Pleasant, MI
About the Department
