Labor Relations Specialist

Department: Office of Human Resources

Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary

The Employee & Labor Relations Specialist is accountable for critical administrative processes that support both the HR Business Partner team and the Director of Labor Relations & HR Policy. Key areas of accountability include serving as the primary administrator for personnel records, employee & labor relations file maintenance, data requests, unemployment insurance claims processes, first‑line response to inquiries from employees, managers, and administrators, and maintaining seamless communication between various stakeholders including third‑party administrators, labor unions, and other Northwestern offices.

Reporting to the Director, HR Business Partners, this position provides exceptional support for comprehensive employee & labor operations within a dynamic university environment. It requires a proactive approach to process ownership, with the expectation to continuously evaluate outcomes, identify improvement opportunities, and implement enhancements. The successful candidate will gain valuable experience while contributing to critical institutional processes that directly impact employees.

Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

• Prepare and maintain University responses to routine labor union information requests, including bargaining unit roster management and dues payment documentation.
• Coordinate file and reporting requests from the Office of General Counsel as directed.
• Provide and prepare timely responses to employee personnel file requests through comprehensive document compilation and Senior HRBP review coordination.
• Leverage the personnel file management system to facilitate HR processes such as changes in standard weekly hours, terminations, & other relevant processes.
• Maintain and update HRBP shared drive systems, including comprehensive employee relations file management.
• Administer weekly exit survey processes including distribution, data analysis, and executive summary report preparation.
• Oversee HRBP activity log and coordinate with HRBPs to update the log on a regular basis.

• Serve as the University’s primary liaison with the third‑party unemployment insurance administrator.
• Comprehensive unemployment insurance claim management, including information request completion, documentation coordination with Senior HR Business Partners, and hearing notification processes.
• Identify and report fraudulent claims to appropriate staff and vendor partner.
• Develop and implement process improvement initiatives through documentation analysis, response rate evaluation, and systematic change management.

• Manage primary shared HRBP email communications, ensuring appropriate response and escalation protocols.
• Manage HRBP email inbox and function as first‑level escalation contact for askHR service center inquiries, coordinating timely resolution with Senior HR Business Partner involvement as required.
• Maintain labor union files and prepare reports as requested.
• Conduct comprehensive intake assessments for HR Business Partner matters under Director guidance.

• Provide logistical and administrative support for HR Business Partner‑led training sessions and professional development workshops.
• Assist with workplace investigations under senior HR staff supervision.
• Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures for all assigned functional areas.
• Review applicable laws and regulation updates to ensure ongoing compliance with university policies and applicable regulatory requirements in collaboration with HR leadership and the Office of General Counsel.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director, HRBP.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5 years of progressive HR operations or administrative experience, preferably in higher education or complex organizational environments.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and enterprise document management platforms, including People Soft,…