Job Description:

• Consults with University Units (HRPs, Managers, and Supervisors).
• Advises on work-related problems to determine if issues are employee or labor relations driven.
• Independently uses discretion to interpret UChicago HR policies and labor agreements and apply them to the facts when providing advice to HR professionals, managers, supervisors and employees, ensuring consistency.
• Analyzes, designs and recommends solutions, utilizing data and information gathered as well as professional experience.
• Conciliates and/or mediates to resolve employee relations issues.
• Assists HRPs in developing counseling and corrective action documents, performance appraisals and work rules.
• Ensures consistent and proper application of corrective action procedures.
• Advises on employment policy, labor agreement, and bargaining unit issues.
• Analyzes proposed reorganizing plans.
• Independently partners with units to investigate, formulate, and resolve complaints and issues using collaborative problem solving.
• Conducts workplace investigations; prepares investigatory reports and responses to administrative agencies and University officials.
• Refers HRPs to other HR Centers of Expertise as appropriate.
• Provides information to employees regarding HR policies and employment law, directing them to support resources.
• Serves as an advisor to colleagues in Central HR.
• Helps review and analyze a variety of HR issues (e.g., policy revision proposals, internal procedures, and protocols), providing advice to colleagues from an ELR perspective.
• Provides training to the HR Community on ELR Issues.
• Designs and presents ELR-related training programs for the broader HR community.
• Plans and facilitates information sharing programs on relevant ELR topics for HRPs, managers, and administrators.
• Plays a lead role in developing and managing large scale, enterprise-wide employee and labor relations programs.
• Serves as first or second chair on UChicago collective bargaining teams for assigned labor agreements.
• Drafts labor agreement language and represents management in meetings with union representatives.
• With appropriate direction, presides at grievance meetings and assists the University advocate in preparing for and conducting arbitration hearings.
• Advises HRPs, managers and supervisors on employee and labor relations matters. Independently uses discretion to interpret University HR policies and labor agreements, and apply to the facts to ensure consistency. Identifies innovative solutions.  
• May serve as first chair on University collective bargaining teams. Ensures completeness and accuracy of the collective bargaining record. Draft labor agreement language and represent management in meetings with union representatives. Presides at grievance meetings and assist the University advocate in preparing for and conducting arbitration hearings. Monitors compliance with agreements.
• Partners with units to investigate, formulate, and resolve complaints and issues using problem solving. Conducts employee complaint investigations, prepare investigatory reports and responses to administrative agency charges and information requests and University officials. Provides information to employees regarding HR policies and employment law, directing them to additional resources as appropriate.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in related field.

Experience:

• Seven years of experience performing labor and employee relations duties with progressively increasing responsibilities.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Expertise with Microsoft Office Suite, proficient PC skills.
• Knowledge of UChicago labor contracts, policies, practices, and procedures.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated skill in analyzing information, problems, situations, practices and/or procedures to define the problem or objective, identify relevant concerns, identify patterns and relationships, formulate logical and objective conclusions, and recommend alternatives and their implications.
• Simultaneously work on multiple complex matters for departments with varying missions across campus.
• Conducting formal investigations within unionized and non-unionized environments.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with varying levels of personnel, including colleagues, managers, etc.
• Proven skills and abilities in conflict resolution; excellent decision making, judgment and discretion skills; manage multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously and set priorities; work in a team environment.
• Work independently under pressure and to efficiently complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Strong critical and creative thinking skills.
• Interpret and apply University policy, procedures and management goals; conceptual and oral communication skills to explain University and local policies and procedures.                                           
• Familiarity with higher education and the issues unique to these settings.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3)(preferred)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

About University of Chicago (UC)

One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, the University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, UChicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping UChicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.

Connections working at University of Chicago (UC)