Senior Staff and Labor Relations Specialist
- Employer
- University of Pennsylvania
- Location
- Left Bank-Facilites & Real Estate Services
View more categoriesView less categories
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The University of Pennsylvania is implementing a campus transformation entitled Penn Connects (http://www.pennconnects.upenn.edu). This comprehensive, award winning effort is expanding the campus over the next 20 years, including the construction of new academic research and recreational facilities. In addition, the University has secured $300M in Century Bond funding and continues to upgrade existing facilities over the coming years. https://www.facilities.upenn.edu/ Information.Job Description
Senior Staff and Labor Relations Specialist
The University of Pennsylvania’s Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services is seeking an experienced and dynamic individual to serve as the Senior Staff and Labor Relation Representative. Reporting to the FRES Director of Human Resources, with a dotted line to Core Human Resources Executive Director for Staff and Labor Relations, this role will be responsible for maintaining positive and productive relationships with Housekeeping/Hard Surfaces/CDL (Local Union 115) (approximately 575 FTEs) and Trades (Local Union 835) (approximately 230 FTEs) represented by two different unions within the University's diverse workforce. This role encompasses both strategic and operational responsibilities, with a focus on promoting effective communication, conflict resolution, and collaborative labor-management initiatives. In addition to labor relations, this role will encompass responsibilities related to the training and development of management that supervise staff represented by unions on topics and programs that impact labor relations.
Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with Core Human Resources (HR) and the FRES Director of HR, develop and implement comprehensive labor relations strategies in alignment with the university's mission and values.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for labor union representatives, cultivating relationships built on trust, respect, and open communication.
- In collaboration with Core HR develop and execute negotiation strategies for collective bargaining agreements with trade union labor and housekeeping union labor.
- Provide guidance and expertise on labor law, regulations, and compliance matters, ensuring the university's practices are consistent with applicable laws.
- Lead efforts to prevent, manage, and resolve labor disputes, grievances, and conflicts in a fair and constructive manner. Oversee the administration of labor contracts, including monitoring contract compliance, grievance procedures, and arbitration processes.
- Advise and oversee labor relations matters in collaboration with other University departments, including contract interpretation, disciplinary actions, and workforce management, ensuring equitable and consistent treatment. Provides guidance and expertise on labor law, regulations, and compliance matters, ensuring the University’s practices are consistent with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- In collaboration with the FRES Director of HR, develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for union staff, supervisors, and managers on matters related to labor relations with a strong commitment to DEI.
- Design and implement training initiatives to enhance the skills, safety, and knowledge of union staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to track and assess the effectiveness of training programs provided to union staff, ensuring they align with DEI principles.
- Represent FRES interests with Office of Risk Management and Worker’s Compensation, Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, Fire and Emergency Services, and others to ensure adherence to all relevant policies and procedures, including, but not limited to, new employee training, routine/annual mandatory training covering workplace safety.
- Stay updated on industry trends, labor market developments, and best practices in training and labor relations.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation related to labor relations activities, training programs, and negotiations.
- Prepare reports and presentations for university leadership regarding labor relations activities, challenges, and accomplishments.
- Conduct recurring monthly management meetings with union leadership.
- Coordinate protocols to monitor and track employees who are out of the workplace due to STD/WC/FMLA/LTD with Operating Director’s, FRES support staff, and other University departments.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors of Arts or Bachelors of Science and 5 to 7 years of progressively responsible and varied experience in the Human Resources/Labor Relations field or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
- Demonstrated experience in labor relations, with a demonstrated track record of successful negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Strong knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and practices, with the ability to interpret and apply them effectively.
- Demonstrated experience working within a unionized environment, preferably in an academic or large institutional setting.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build rapport and manage relationships at all levels.
- Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, drive results, and navigate complex and sensitive labor situations.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Demonstrated experience in using HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and other relevant software applications.
- An understanding of the importance of DEI in a university setting and commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in labor relations practices and training programs.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay
Organization
Welcome to the University of Pennsylvania! Penn is the largest private employer in Philadelphia and is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation.
Across our 12 highly-regarded schools, more than 25,000 students, and more than 4,000 faculty members, we become one university: a wide-ranging, ever-changing community that draws its strength from a multitude of races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, historical traditions, ages, religions, disabilities, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Penn carries on the principles and spirit of its founder, Benjamin Franklin: entrepreneurship, innovation, invention, outreach, and a pragmatic love of knowledge. Franklin's practical outlook has remained a driving force in the university's development. To learn more, visit About Penn.
Vision
As engines of knowledge and new ideas, universities have the unique potential to define the future rather than be defined by it; to pioneer change rather than merely manage it. To do so requires a plan both visionary and pragmatic. The Penn Compact 2022 motivates community members to innovate, be radically inclusive, and positively impact their local, national, and global communities.
Penn’s fundamental priorities — increasing access, integrating knowledge and engaging locally, nationally and globally — are supported by the three core values that make us uniquely Penn: inclusion, innovation, and impact.
Learn about the signature initiatives of the Penn Compact 2022:
- Global Connections President’s Engagement Prizes President's Innovation Prize Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professors
Diversity
Understanding and appreciating diversity is one of Penn's most important priorities and is fundamental to success in today's world.
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
To learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at Penn visit:
- Diversity at Penn Resources Supporting Diversity Penn Diversity Facts and Figures Penn's Diversity Timeline 1740-1997
Benefits
Penn offers a wide range of benefits and perks - from Penn's retirement Matching Plan to bike repair stations to access to the full LinkedIn Learning library to adoption assistance to workshops at the letterpress and book arts studio and much more!
- Penn HR Benefits Be in the Know Wellness Campaign Penn Home Ownership Services Campus Shuttles & Buses Resources for Cyclists Deals@Penn Common Press
Campus and Beyond
We invite you to explore our campus and its stately buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Penn Park Morris Arboretum Penn Campus Arboretum: 6,800 Campus Trees Penn Recreation Penn Libraries Shop Penn
Try our self-guided tour! Come and visit!
Learn about sustainability at Penn.
News
Stay up-to-date with Penn's response to COVID-19: Coronavirus Information & Resources.
Penn supports news publications that tell the ongoing story of the University community, communications services for external media, telephone and video services, and other media resources: Campus Media
Connect with us!
- Telephone
- (215) 898-7372
- Location
-
3451 Walnut Street
Philadelphia
PA
19104
US
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