Director, Academic Labor & Employee Relations

Title: Director, Academic Labor & Employee Relations

Division Name: Academic Affairs

Department: Vice President & Provost

Campus

Location:

Normal, IL

The Director, Academic Labor and Employee Relations provides strategic and operational leadership to the Academic Labor & Employee Relations (ALER) section in the Provost’s Office. The ALER section will plan, negotiate, and administer labor contracts for ISU’s academic bargaining units; ISU currently has four academic bargaining units covering approximately 685 Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty, 550 instructional and clinical Non‑Tenure Track Faculty, 125 Lab School employees, and 450 Graduate Teaching Assistants.

In addition to management and oversight of academic labor contracts, the ALER section will consult with supervisory staff regarding performance issues for Tenured and Tenure‑Track Faculty, Non‑Tenure Track Faculty, Faculty Associates at the University’s laboratory schools, and Graduate Assistants.

The duties performed in this role are professional, sensitive, and related to public relations. Exceptional judgment is required for union contract negotiations, grievance administration, and discipline. The successful candidate must be able to shift priorities quickly and be comfortable with ambiguity. Problem resolution, research / investigation, analytical, and persuasive skills are vital in this role.

$135,000 – $155,000

• Advanced degree (J.D. included).
• Experience working in a labor relations environment.
• Experience serving as a chief spokesperson in union negotiations.
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements, including contract interpretation and grievance processing.
• Experience administering performance management, including coaching and counseling supervisors on discipline steps up to and including the termination/discharge process.
• Demonstrated ability to address sensitive issues with integrity and in an unbiased and effective manner.
• Must reflect the collegiality, competence, and professionalism of a senior administrator in the Division of Academic Affairs.
• Must be capable of consistently exercising professional judgment that represents the mission, values and priorities of the University and the Office of the Provost.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data and a strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience effectively managing multiple priorities and constant interruptions on a daily basis and shifting priorities as problems arise.
• Must have the ability to meet deadlines, work independently, demonstrate initiative, and self‑identify the tasks and workflow necessary to accomplish broader objectives.
• Must have the ability to use Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and have adequate keyboarding skills to allow for the efficient creation of work product.

• A record of accomplishment as a scholar or teacher at an accredited University with a doctoral degree or other terminal degree appropriate for the individual’s academic discipline.
• Leadership experience in academic administration (e.g., Chair, Director, Assistant/Associate Dean, or Dean).
• Knowledge of academic collective bargaining agreements, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA)/the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB), and current trends in labor relations.
• Experience in higher education human resources.
• Experience in higher education labor relations.
• Experience conducting compensation analysis.

A fast‑paced, productive office environment where work demands may extend beyond traditional hours of operation. The core work hours of this position are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

• Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
• Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day‑to‑day work.
• Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

April 1, 2026

• Resume / C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Reference List
• Writing Sample – provide a writing sample from a labor or employee relations…