Director of Labor Relations, Academic Human Resources

Location: Kingston

Position Information

Posting Number SF02159 Job Title Director of Labor Relations, Academic Human Resources Position Number 107271 FTE 1.00 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union Non-Union Classified Staff Pay Grade Level Grade Level: 17 Pay Grade Range Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Department Information

Department Provost for Academic Affairs Contact(s)

Please note:

Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).)

Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Kingston Grant Funded No Extension Contingency Notes

Job Description Summary

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by June 26, 2026. Applications received after June 26, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

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About URI:
The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community.

URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

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POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Labor Relations, Academic Human Resources serves as the lead for the Office of the Provost on academic personnel and labor relations matters. This includes working closely with Deans and their teams on faculty recruitment and hiring, overseeing sabbatical review and approvals, and tracking key metrics related to faculty. On the labor relations front, this position will represent the Office of the Provost and work in collaboration with the Office of Human Resources in collective bargaining with unions representing faculty, part-time faculty, and graduate assistants.

It will also serve as the lead for Academic Affairs in administering collective bargaining agreements with faculty, part-time faculty, and graduate assistants, including discipline and grievance procedures.

This is an on-site position with limited opportunity for remote work.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Faculty Hiring, Retention, and Performance

Working in partnership with the Office of Human Resources, ensure an effective hiring process for faculty, deans, and other Academic Affairs personnel that facilitates timely and competitive hiring and retention of academic personnel.

Advise and consult with Deans on all matters relating to the hiring of faculty, including starting salary, start-up packages, relocation expenses, and offer letters.

Oversee sabbatical review and approvals, including chairing the sabbatical review committee.

Work with Deans on exceptional salary increases and other faculty performance and retention matters.

Labor Relations

Serve as the lead in the Office of the Provost on labor relations strategies, contract negotiations, and the administering of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with faculty, part-time faculty, and graduate assistants.

Serve as the University lead in collective bargaining with the part-time faculty and graduate assistants unions; support Human Resources in negotiations with the full-time faculty union (AAUP).

In close consultation with Human Resources and the Office of General Counsel, manage all disciplinary processes, grievances, and arbitration under the CBAs with faculty, part-time faculty, and graduate assistants.

Develop solution-oriented relationships with union leadership and staff to aid in resolving issues outside of the grievance procedure.

Personnel Metrics

Work in collaboration with the Colleges and Institutional Research to track data related to faculty and academic personnel.

Provide the Office of the Provost and the Office of Human Resources with data and analysis related to faculty, academic personnel, and academic CBAs to assist with strategic planning and decision-making.

OTHER

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform other duties as assigned.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers and software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Required Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED:

1. Master's or other advanced degree.

2. Minimum of seven years of experience in labor relations (including responsibility for contract administration and general human resources management, as well as direct experience leading disciplinary proceedings and grievance processes).

3. Knowledge of and participatory experience in collective bargaining.

4. Strong written and verbal…