Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist

EMPLOYEE & LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Human Resources | Planned Parenthood of Greater New York
Salary Range: $85,000-96,000

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is looking for an Employee & Labor Relations Specialist to join our Human Resources team. This is an opportunity for an experienced ER/LR professional to do meaningful, hands-on work in a complex, mission-driven healthcare environment while helping managers and employees navigate some of the moments that matter most in the workplace.

In this role, you will conduct workplace investigations, support managers through performance and employee relations matters, administer grievances and collective bargaining agreements, partner with union representatives, and help ensure that our employment practices are fair, consistent, thoughtful, and well documented.

You will report to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources and have the opportunity to manage assigned ER/LR matters from intake through resolution while partnering closely with HR colleagues, leaders, employees, union representatives, Legal, Compliance, and operational teams across PPGNY.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Conduct fair, thorough, and timely workplace investigations, including interviews, evidence review, findings, and written reports.
• Coach and support managers on performance management, attendance, corrective action, documentation, conflict resolution, and employee relations concerns.
• Help administer PPGNY's collective bargaining agreements and provide guidance on routine contract interpretation and application.
• Manage assigned grievances, including intake, investigation, deadline tracking, case analysis, grievance meetings, and draft responses.
• Build constructive day-to-day relationships with union representatives and participate in labor-management meetings.
• Support collective bargaining by conducting research, preparing comparisons, gathering workforce and compensation information, and assisting with proposals and contract language.
• Support arbitration and other proceedings by preparing timelines, exhibits, evidence, case summaries, and witness materials.
• Maintain accurate and confidential ER/LR case records, monitor deadlines, and prepare case-status and activity reports.
• Develop and deliver practical manager training on documentation, investigations, performance management, corrective action, grievances, and CBA requirements.
• Identify complex, high-risk, or precedent-setting matters and partner with the AVP of Human Resources on strategy and next steps.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible employee relations and/or labor relations experience.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Hands-on experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing clear, fact-based written findings or reports.
• Experience with grievances, performance management, corrective action, and disciplinary matters.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreement administration and contract interpretation.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, New York State, and New York City employment and labor requirements.
• Strong writing, investigation, analytical, consultation, and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage multiple sensitive matters and contractual deadlines with sound judgment and discretion.

EVEN BETTER IF YOU HAVE

• Experience in healthcare, reproductive health, nonprofit, or another complex multi-site organization.
• Experience working with 1199SEIU or another healthcare union.
• Experience supporting collective bargaining or arbitration preparation.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or another relevant HR certification.
• Formal workplace investigation training or certification.

WHY PPGNY

This role offers the opportunity to bring strong employee and labor relations expertise to an organization whose work has real impact. The person joining us will be part of a collaborative HR team supporting employees and leaders who help deliver sexual and reproductive healthcare, education, and advocacy across New York.

We are looking for someone who can combine strong ER/LR judgment with curiosity, empathy, accountability, and practical problem solving. Someone who is comfortable digging into the facts, writing clearly, having difficult conversations, working across differences, and helping managers find a thoughtful path forward.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who wants their HR work to support a larger mission and who can help us continue building a workplace grounded in fairness, respect, consistency, and trust.

$85,000 - $96,000 a year

PPGNY's benefits package includes:

Generous PTO and holiday schedule

Medical, dental and vision coverage options for you and eligible dependents

FSA, HSA, Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds

Short- and Long-Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D

401(k) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor contributions after 1 year of employment

All positions at PPGNY require:

Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases (including influenza during the flu season and Covid-19) and testing for tuberculosis. These certifications are required by the NYC DOHMH Health Code, NYSDOH and OSHA.