Human Resources Business Partner I - Labor Relations

Title: Human Resources Business Partner I
- Labor Relations

Executive Area: Human Resources

College/School/MBU: Human Resources

Department: Office of Human Resources

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement:Hybrid

The HR Business Partner I (HRBP I), Labor Relations serves as a dedicated HR partner supporting the University’s Labor Relations function. This role focuses on collective bargaining agreement administration, labor relations processes, and operational support within a complex, unionized higher education environment. The HRBP I supports Labor Relations leadership through research, documentation, case coordination, and stakeholder communication.

• Serves as a dedicated HR Business Partner supporting the Labor Relations function.
• Assists with the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of agreement, and labor-related policies.
• Provides labor relations guidance to HR colleagues and campus partners, escalating complex issues to Labor Relations leadership as appropriate.
• Supports consistent labor relations practices across departments in alignment with University policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Supports labor negotiations activities before, during, and after collective bargaining sessions.

• Supports the intake, tracking, and administration of labor grievances and other labor relations cases.
• Prepares documentation, correspondence, timelines, and summaries related to grievances, hearings, and arbitration.
• Coordinates meetings, hearings, and related logistics in partnership with Labor Relations leadership.
• Maintains accurate, confidential records and case files.

• Acts as a point of coordination between Labor Relations and the shared-service HRBP teams.
• Ensures relevant information is exchanged to support contract compliance, grievance handling, and consistent application of policies.
• Assists in identifying when matters should transition between ER and LR, in alignment with established protocols.
• Supports communication and follow-up between ER, Labor Relations, and other HR stakeholders.

• Assists Labor Relations leadership with contract administration and bargaining preparation.
• Supports data gathering, research, and analysis related to bargaining, grievances, and labor trends.
• Helps track contract provisions, deadlines, and implementation requirements.
• Assists with drafting and maintaining labor-related documentation, guidance materials, and summaries.

• Partners with HR Business Partners, Payroll, Benefits, Faculty Affairs, and other campus stakeholders to ensure coordinated labor relations support.
• Supports compliance with applicable employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and University policies as they relate to labor relations.
• Assists with audits, reporting, and process improvement initiatives related to labor relations.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional Human Resources experience, preferably with exposure to labor relations or unionized work forces.
• Demonstrated experience using workplace technology and software applications, with the ability to learn and adapt to new systems, tools, and platforms quickly and effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, matrixed HR environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

• Experience in a unionized environment, preferably in higher education or the public sector.
• Foundational knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor relations principles.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts public sector labor relations.
• Experience supporting grievance administration or collective bargaining activities.
• Experience with Workday or comparable HRIS systems.

The HRBP I does not independently manage employee relations…