Academic Labor Relations Representative Senior​/Intermediate

How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, one page or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your skills and experience. Submit both a cover letter and a resume as one file, due to system limitations.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs and Senior Director, Academic Human Resources, the Senior Academic Labor Relations Representative manages complex labor relations matters across three campuses. You will support contract negotiations, resolve grievances, and ensure compliance with applicable labor laws and regulations. You will partner with Chief Negotiators during collective bargaining and provide strategic guidance to schools and colleges on academic personnel and labor relations matters.

You will work with Deans, Chairs, Directors, administrators, and faculty to advise on campus policies and HR programs.

• Serve on bargaining teams (potentially as second chair) to negotiate and renew agreements.
• Support the grievance process by conducting investigations and drafting responses in partnership with Chief Negotiators.
• Develop and deliver training on labor relations and contract interpretation.
• Partner with HR Data Analytics and campus partners to produce reports supporting negotiations and contract administration.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to resolve issues and effectively communicate contract policies and procedures.
• Oversee background checks and institutional reference checks for new faculty and graduate students.
• Support administration of the Faculty Grievance Procedure and advise the Grievance Hearing Board to ensure fair, neutral peer-review processes.

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field such as Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Labor and Employment Relations, or equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.
• 4+ years of professional experience working in an academic or similar environment with employee or labor relations responsibilities required.
• 2+ years of professional experience participating in the collective bargaining process of labor relations.
• Demonstrated work experience managing multiple projects, maintaining positive business relations, and problem-solving workplace issues.
• Demonstrated work experience in labor relations including union-management relations and the interpretation of policies or negotiated contracts.
• Expertise functioning in a team-oriented environment, in often high-stress conditions.

Experience that would be helpful in this role, but is not required: Masters or terminal degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Employment Law, Public Administration, or a related discipline and work experience demonstrating advanced knowledge of labor-management relations.

May require travel to multiple locations on & off campus. Flexible work arrangements are reviewed annually and may be subject to change based on business needs. This role will be onsite approximately 2 days per week, with ad-hoc days onsite to support negotiations.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.

This position may be filled at the Senior ($92,000 - $105,000) or Intermediate level ($73,000 - $83,000), dependent on qualifications and experience. The required qualifications reflect Senior level, but candidates with lesser experience are encouraged to apply and responsibilities will be adjusted accordingly.

To review more details about the position, please see this link:

• Generous time off, including family leave
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.