Associate Director, Labor Relations

Position OPEN until filled. We're still accepting applications after Initial Review Date (IRD)

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link. Position OPEN until filled. We're still accepting applications after Initial Review Date (IRD)

The IRD for this job is: 5/25/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Staff Human Resources (SHR) is dedicated to building a strong and healthy university by propelling the university mission, engaging and developing people, empowering our campus partners, building trust and teamwork and providing excellent Human Resource services. SHR is responsible for providing leadership to the campus and Staff Human Resources (SHR), in the areas of Benefits, Business Administration and Operations, Compensation and Classification, Learning and Development, Talent Acquisition and Employee and Labor Relations. Employee & Labor Relations (ELR) serves as a professional resource to managers, supervisors and employees for work related issues, serves as a liaison to campus labor unions, and represents the campus in employment matters and system-wide contract negotiations.

More information can be found at: https://shr.ucsc.edu/elr/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Employee & Labor Relations (ELR) Director, or designee, the Associate Director of Labor Relations serves as the campus expert and coordinator for labor relations matters. The individual provides strategic planning and expert level professional analysis, consultation, coaching and training to campus clients and team members regarding interpretation and application of labor contracts.

Works collaboratively and establishes highly effective working relationships with clients, campus leaders, system-wide labor relations colleagues, Staff Human Resources team members and union representatives. Provides campus advocacy and representation on employee and/or labor relations matters. The position is responsible for handling and overseeing grievances, responses to union information requests, participating in systemwide bargaining and representing the university in arbitrations, mediations and other proceedings. This position supervises Labor Relations Analysts.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $160,000 - $170,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: LABOR REL REPR 5 (000261), Grade 26

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Analysis and Consultation

• Leads and conducts extremely complex and varied analyses of issues or concepts and develops resulting recommendations.
• Advises campus managers, leadership and HR liaisons on labor relations and employment law implications relating to extremely complex individual and system-wide issues or courses of action.
• Responsible for administering extremely complex collective bargaining agreements and for interpreting the agreements, taking appropriate steps to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Works with all levels of management to recommend position on settlement options and attaining appropriate settlement authority.

40% - Bargaining and Advocacy

• Applies expert labor relations concepts to represent the campus objectives at system-wide and local bargaining. Has authority to make binding agreements with all unions, utilizing an understanding of campus and system-wide goals and priorities.
• Represents UC Santa Cruz in proceedings, grievances and arbitrations.
• Establishes and maintains effective employee and labor-management relations.
• Works with campus management and employee representatives (union business agents, shop stewards, attorneys) as needed to resolve complaints and/or grievances.
• Performs duties across multiple modalities-including in-person, virtual, or hybrid environments-as required to effectively support bargaining, proceedings, and relationship management.

15% - Supervision

• Supervises Labor Relations Analysts who provide strategic and consultative labor relations services to the campus community and leadership team.
• Establishes clear unit priorities, communicates expectations, and ensures accountability across assigned functions.
• Plans, assigns, directs and prioritizes staff activities, tasks and projects to ensure adherence to procedures and an appropriate distribution of labor based on departmental goals.
• Ensures staff work is accurate, timely, complete, and in accordance with unit standards.
• Conducts performance evaluations and establishes measurable goals. Provides coaching and feedback to team members.
• Identifies training needs and coordinates professional development opportunities. Trains staff in unit processes and procedures. Develops and maintains Labor Relations training and reference material.
• Initiates disciplinary actions in compliance with university policies, collective bargaining agreements and campus procedures.
• Makes recommendations for salary actions of direct reports.
• Functions as a lead on the Employee and Labor Relations team.
• Works in a collaborative manner to build consensus among diverse entities (for example, management, employees, and union representatives).

5% - Trainings

• Plans and delivers customized presentations to build and develop skills of staff and management. Trains on topics associated with campus programs, collective bargaining agreements, policies, procedures, and best practices.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Expert knowledge of system-wide and campus policies, collective bargaining agreements, and procedures.
• Expert knowledge of Labor Relations and understands how work impacts other areas in Human Resources and the system.
• Expert knowledge of dispute resolution and grievance procedures and expert knowledge of administering and ensuring adherence to union contracts.
• Expert knowledge of legal requirements needed to minimize exposure.
• In-depth knowledge of other areas in human resources; capable of developing, interpreting, implementing and administering organization-wide human resources policies and processes.
• Expert negotiation skills necessary to bargain complex issues involving significant costs to the university and represents its interests effectively.
• Expert analytical skills to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organization and problem-solving skills.
• Highly developed verbal communication skills to provide guidance and information to managers on complex and significant labor relations issues.
• Highly developed written communication skills.
• Highly developed presentation skills.
• Expert conflict and change management skills.
• Project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle the most difficult or volatile situations and/or individuals effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise excellent judgement in confidential matters.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train and lead team members.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in related field, or Juris Doctorate degree
• Experience in higher education
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CALPELRA) certifications, and/or certificate in alternative dispute resolution.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• This position requires a hybrid work schedule, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement. A fully remote option will be considered if the selected candidate resides in the state of CA and can report to campus to work in-person as operationally required, with reasonable notice as determined by your manager; travel expenses not covered for travel to primary UC Santa Cruz work location.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.