USC Human Resources is currently searching for exceptional team members to help us fulfill our mission: Developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit.
USC Human Resources is evolving to a newly imagined, world-class HR function through a high-impact service delivery model, that will elevate the employee experience through the enhancement of HR services.
We aim to instill efficiencies through re-designed processes and policies, innovative tools and industry-leading systems.
The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities.
A global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles.
This role enables the high priority, strategic projects in critical areas which support our multi-year ongoing transformational work.
Job Summary
The Executive Director, Employee & Labor Relations leads employee and labor relations services across the university and plays a key leadership role in programs aimed at proactively addressing workplace concerns and improving employee engagement and workplace performance.
The Executive Director, Employee & Labor Relations is responsible for designing and implementing an employee & labor relations strategy focused on cultivating employee and labor relations aligned with USC’s culture and values.
This role will represent university interests in system wide contract negotiations and will be responsible for implementation and administration of collective bargaining agreements and relevant policies.
This role will develop a close relationship with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Office of Professionalism and Ethics (OPE) and the Office of Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX to provide a comprehensive and consistent employee experience.
.The Executive Director of Employee & Labor Relations will work to implement proactive employee and labor strategies to improve employee engagement and reduce risk and will advise and educate university staff and faculty on labor and employee relations matters to ensure compliance by overseeing activities, policies, processes and education across the university.
This role will execute USC’s mission and vision while championing USC’s culture and values.
Minimum Qualifications
The candidate for the position of Executive Director, Employee & Labor Relations must meet the following qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in business, psychology, communications, employment law, industrial relations or another related field.
Twelve or more years of experience in one or more of the following fields: human resources (supporting union and non-union workforces), employee and labor relations, employment law, HR client service.
Six or more years of experience leading teams in a management or leadership role.
Experience in areas of employment law and employee and labor relations issues.
Extensive knowledge of collective bargaining, grievance processes, contract administration, contract negotiation, and labor and management relationships.
Extensive knowledge of current major employment and labor laws such as ADA, FMLA, National Labor Relations Act, Taft-Hartley, etc.
Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing both reactive and proactive labor and employee relations strategies and plans in close collaboration with organizational leadership.
Knowledge of best practice procedures used to investigate and resolve employee grievances and workplace concerns including best practices as they relate to reducing bias during the investigation process.
Experience working closely with senior leadership and executives to identify needs, define strategy, develop action plans, identify deliverables, present results, measure outcomes, and provide recommendations.
Experience ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Experience establishing collaborative initiatives with multiple departments.
Experience managing a team by providing feedback, assessment, and encouragement to achieve goals and drive positive change.
Demonstrated experience building and managing exceptional teams and providing consistent feedback to achieve results in line with near and long-term strategic goals.
Demonstrated excellence providing a customer experience including the design and implementation of metrics to measure service effectiveness.
Demonstrated project management experience, providing effective oversight across the design, delivery, and outcome stages.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage time, prioritize tasks, work independently and maintain confidentiality.
Excellent communication and facilitation skills, proven track record of building strong collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate for the position of Executive Director, Employee & Labor Relations has the following qualifications:
Advanced degree in human resources, psychology, communications, law, industrial relations or another related field, or Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
Fifteen or more years of experience in one or more of the following fields: human resources (supporting union and non-union workforces), employee and labor relations, employment law, HR client service.
Eight or more years of experience leading teams in a management or leadership role.
Experience in higher education.
Experience as the lead negotiator in contract renewal negotiations and a track record of success in establishing credibility with unions across multiple collective bargaining issues.
Prior experience working in a director-level role overseeing employee and/or labor relations.
Knowledge of best practices as they relate to reducing bias during the employee relations investigation process.
Ability to identify knowledge, skills and resource gaps and to recommend related action plans utilizing industry trends.
Track record of positive influence of department culture including employee engagement during change through communications, trust-building and inclusion.
Ability to train staff on emerging industry trends and ensure quality baseline of department knowledge and skills.
Experience with i-Sight case management software or other case management software.
SHRM, PHR, or similar human resource management or labor relations certification
Job Responsibilities
The candidate for the position of Executive Director, Employee & Labor Relations will be responsible for:
Mitigating or maximizing the potential impact of employee and labor relations issues, while cultivating dedicated employee and labor relations efforts to create alignment, consistency and accountability across the university.
Administering and interpreting labor and union contracts for compliance with requirements and for providing ongoing guidance to university managers and supervisors on meeting responsibilities as defined by collective bargaining agreements such as but not limited to union notices, union business leaves, requests for information and meet and confer obligations.
Designing and implementing ethical, equitable and inclusive processes appropriate for employee concerns, complaints or grievances.
Overseeing the fact-finding and investigation in response to employee complaints or grievances in a timely manner, and regularly endeavoring to reduce bias across all investigative stages.
Determining the appropriateness of proposed disciplinary action to address employee misconduct and overseeing the disciplinary process to ensure compliance with university polices, collective bargaining agreements, federal, state, and local laws and/or regulations.
Overseeing the maintenance of records for employee concerns, formal investigations, and complaints ensuring compliance with all university policies and state and federal regulations.
Maintaining knowledge of the broad range of relationships and other areas that could impact the employee/employer relationship including knowledge of federal, state and local laws, university policies, practices and other obligations to investig