Overview
DIRECTOR / EMPLOYEE & LABOR RELATIONS Jobs in Mount Pleasant, MI at Central Michigan University
The Director of Employee and Labor Relations serves as the university’s chief spokesperson in staff collective bargaining negotiations and labor relations and is responsible for fostering constructive labor-management relationships that support the university’s strategic goals and financial sustainability. The Director oversees the administration of collective bargaining agreements, provides expert guidance on employee relations issues, and plays a key role in promoting a fair, respectful, and effective workplace culture.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in labor and industrial relations, human resource management, business administration, or a related field.
Six years of relevant professional experience, specifically in human resources or directly associated field of employee relations management.
Three years of experience in labor/employee relations.
Experience with collective bargaining and grievance resolution and conducting sensitive workplace investigations.
Ability to interpret and apply complex collective bargaining agreements and employment policies.
Knowledge of labor and employee relations laws.
Strong organizational, decision-making, and analytical skills, along with conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with the ability to build trust and collaborate.
Ability and willingness to establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships.
Demonstrated competence in using personal computers and computer software applications.
Ability to perform the essential functions and requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Law (JD), or a related field.
Demonstrated experience as a chief spokesperson or lead negotiator in union contract negotiations.
Experience working in a higher education environment.
Training or certification in workplace investigations, conflict resolution, or mediation.
Familiarity with HRIS systems.
Experience administering performance management processes.
Duties & Responsibilities
Serves as the university’s chief spokesperson in staff collective bargaining negotiations, developing and executing strategies aligned with institutional strategic goals and supporting financial sustainability.
Prepares, maintains, and archives data and documentation for collective bargaining purposes.
Reviews and recommends updates to contract language.
Administers collective bargaining agreements, ensuring compliance with labor laws, university policies, and negotiated terms.
Advises departments and leadership on interpretation and application of contract provisions.
Oversees the grievance and dispute resolution process, including informal resolutions, formal hearings, mediation, arbitration, and special conferences with union partners.
Provides strategic recommendations on exceptions to policies and advises leadership on grievance settlements and related labor issues.
Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with union representatives to proactively address and resolve issues of mutual concern.
Advises supervisors and department leaders on a wide range of employee relations matters, including performance management, discipline, layoffs, involuntary terminations, and referrals to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Conducts investigations into workplace misconduct, including allegations of harassment, violence, or violations of university policies, ensuring accurate documentation and maintenance of employee relations and investigative records.
Represents Employee & Labor Relations/Human Resources on university-wide committees and coordinates the election process for staff representatives to the Police Oversight Committee.
Manages communications related to employee and labor relations matters, including recurring university-wide notifications.
Maintains fiscal oversight of the Employee Relations unit budget and assigned cost centers.
Collaborates with HR leadership to advance Human Resources initiatives in alignment with strategic goals, regulatory requirements, and collective bargaining agreements.
Performs other similar and related duties, as assigned.
Supervision Exercised
None.
Message to Applicants
Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering a broadly diverse and inclusive campus that respects all social identities, experiences, and perspectives. In an effort to further this initiative, we are especially interested in candidates who will advance and promote an inclusive and supportive environment for every member of our university community.
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.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit recommendation letters. If you wish to include recommendation letter(s) that are not required, please utilize Recommendation Letters.
Employee Group
Professional & Administrative -Salary
Staff Pay Level
Pay Range
$120,000 – $135,000 per year
Division
Finance and Administrative Services
Department
Human Resources – Employee Relations
Position Status
Regular
Position End Date
Employment Status
Full-Time
FTE
1.00
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
About CMU
Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.
We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.
CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.
Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.
CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.
Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.
CMU Leadership Standards
Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.
We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.
Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.
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Title: DIRECTOR / EMPLOYEE & LABOR RELATIONS
Company: Central Michigan University
Location: Mount Pleasant, MI
