Employee/Labor Relations Director

Department:

Human Resources

Division:

Infrastructure

Location:

New York, NY

Job Summary:

This position has primary responsibility for directing the ASPCA’s employee relations function, including reviewing, drafting and enforcing organization-wide policies with special emphasis on managing labor relations with three collective bargaining units at the 92nd street office and all other employee relations at both Queens locations. In addition, has primary responsibility for the administration of workers’ compensation programs, safety programs, and risk management programs; maintains good communication and a positive relationship with employees to promote employee satisfaction. Helps counsel and train employees and managers on issues related to performance management and discipline.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provides advice to management in regard to employee relations and compliance with relevant employment law. Partner with department managers and legal department to ensure management’s compliance with all federal, state and local laws and team members’ compliance with company standards, expectations, policies and procedures as well as the Collective Bargaining agreements.
• Responsible for directing and/or conducting investigation of grievances and complaints or other confidential investigations involving issues of harassment, theft, or other policy/procedure violations. Administers disciplinary actions as needed.
• Conducts conflict and dispute resolution and counseling for individual employees and managers. Must protect confidentiality of individuals, while representing the interests of the ASPCA at all times.
• Administers all aspects of employee terminations including: conducting employee termination discussions; researching and creating severance/ separation packages (as appropriate); informing departing employees of benefit terminations and COBRA election rights; collecting ASPCA property; and conducting exit interviews.
• Communicates with ASPCA employees and its management, advising management on various areas of union-management relations and ensuring that the company is in compliance with the Collective Bargaining agreements.
• Trains supervisors and managers on the Collective Bargaining Agreement and how to manage in a unionized environment; distributes monthly articles to managers and/or employees on relevant Employee\Labor relations topics.
• Develops and administers the risk management, safety programs, and workers' compensation.
• Displays the highest ethical standards, and subscribes to all rules concerning confidentiality of employee and other related information.

Other

• Projects and responsibilities may be added or changed at the company's discretion.

Education:

• Undergraduate degree required, MS in Human Resources, Business Management or related field preferred

Experience:

• Five to seven years of direct labor relations experience in unionized environment in a multi-site environment is required.
• Corporate or nonprofit experience in Human Resources preferred
• Experience working with senior level management personnel preferred

Training Requirements:

• Society for Human Resource Management certification a plus.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Ability to evaluate courses of action and reach sound, non-judgmental management decisions and resolutions.
• Knowledge and practical experience in general HR operations
• Good writing skills
• Must have the ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
• Proven ability to gain credibility with and influence senior management and union leaders. Demonstrated ability to coach up, down and across the organization
• Must be capable of learning Human Resources Management software.
• Must have excellent conflict resolution skills and a high level of attention to detail.

Additional Information

• The candidate should be able to work in a team context with minimal supervision.
• Interpersonal skills are critical to relate with peers, supervisor and the public.
• Effective communication and mediation skills required.
• Sense of prioritization, confidentiality, and organization are important.
• Detail oriented; able to multi-task.
• Effective communication skills including a welcoming and patient demeanor; must possess an assertive yet tactful and respectful manner.
• Must possess strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills are necessary.
• Must be willing to commute daily between multiple New York City locations, with occasional overnight trips to the Urbana, Illinois and Washington DC offices.

Benefits:

Our generous benefit package includes the following for full-time employees and (if qualified, we offer domestic partner coverage!) Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Transit checks, Tuition Assistance Program, Training Seminars, EAP, 50% animal hospital discount, Vacation, Sick, Personal & Company Holiday time off.