Director II Employee and Labor Relations

Employee & Labor Relations

The University of Missouri System, a four-campus system of public research universities, seeks a talented and experienced Human Resources leader to join the Office of Human Resources serving as Employee and Labor Relations Director.

The Office of Human Resources provides leadership in the planning, integration, and implementation of human resource services and programs for faculty, staff, and retirees across all campuses and the health system. Collectively with our campus colleagues, we serve as a strategic and trusted advisor. Pursue continuous improvement through knowledge, collaboration and leadership.

The Employee and Labor Relations Director leads policy administration, as well as employee and labor relations, and grievance administration for the UM System. This role ensures compliance with employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and university policies while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment aligned with organizational goals.

Reporting to the Vice President for Human Resources, the Employee and Labor Relations Director will direct a small but capable team in institutional and departmental efforts across four main emphasis areas: Labor Relations, Grievance Administration, Policy Administration, and Employee Relations. Across these areas, the individual appointed will have a tremendous opportunity to impactfully contribute to the University's missions and ensure we continue to cultivate a talented workforce.

In order to be successful, the Employee and Labor Relations Director will partner closely with the University's Recruitment Center of Expertise, campus and system HR Leaders, dedicated employee relations experts and other key constituents across Human Resources and the Office of the General Counsel, as well as divisional leadership across the University.

Primary Job Duties

Labor Relations

• Lead systemwide labor relations strategy, ensuring compliance with agreements, employment laws, and university policies.
• Serve as the primary liaison for labor relations, negotiations, and agreements across the UM System.
• Partner with the VP of HR (lead negotiator) to facilitate negotiations, including wage reopeners, meet-and-confer sessions, and dispute resolution discussions.
• Provide proactive risk mitigation through effective labor relations practices.
• Deliver training for managers on labor relations, contract compliance, and dispute resolution; mentor HR staff on union-related best practices.
• Maintain consultation with internal and external legal counsel to ensure proper communication and adherence to processes.

Grievance Administration

• Oversee the systemwide staff grievance process, ensuring fairness and compliance with policies and laws.
• Serve as Appeals Officer, conducting investigations, documenting findings, and determining resolutions.
• Review campus grievance eligibility and manage case workflows.
• Administer the case management system and coordinate with faculty conduct and academic grievance users.
• Maintain ongoing consultation with legal counsel to ensure proper communication and process alignment.

Policy Administration

• Lead the development, revision, and implementation of systemwide HR policies to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Chair the systemwide policy committee; interpret policies and conduct research to support decision-making.
• Provide guidance to HR leaders and campus partners to ensure consistent policy interpretation and application.
• Draft and edit policies, prepare presentations for stakeholders, and manage the approval process in collaboration with legal counsel.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of policy decisions, changes, and approvals.
• Serve on project committees as the policy subject-matter expert.

Employee Relations

• Design and implement employee relations resources and tools to support organizational goals.
• Develop systemwide training programs for HR partners, supervisors, and leaders.
• Monitor and analyze employee relations metrics to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Manage the case management system, including security access, troubleshooting, template development, and user training.

Supervision

• Supervise assigned personnel and oversee related processes, including unemployment administration, employment verifications, labor union site visits, seniority reports, union dues, and special projects.

Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm, additional hours as needed for the project

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 8 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Masters degree in a related field and/or Juris Doctor
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• 5+ years progressive employee relations experience
• 5+ years progressive labor relations experience engaging union personnel and facilitating collaborative partnerships
• Strong leadership acumen
• Fluent understanding of employment policies, laws and regulations and the ability to exercise critical judgement in evaluating employee activities and/or actions

The University anticipates a hiring range of $135,000 - $150,000 for this position, commensurate to the selected individual's background, education and experience.

Grade: GGS 014

University Title: Director II, Human Resources

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Visa Sponsorship Information:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.