Assistant Director of and Labor Relations

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, the Assistant Director provides operational leadership and oversight for Brown University’s employee and labor relations (ELR) programs. The role is central to the University’s mission of creating a collaborative, engaged, and thriving work environment that enables every employee to be high-performing and contribute to the University’s strategic goals. The Assistant Director serves as a champion for employee excellence and ensures a policy‑compliant workplace by acting as a trusted advisor to managers and HR Business Partners on matters of conduct, performance, and collective bargaining.

The Assistant Director partners with HR and campus leadership to develop and review workplace policies that promote fairness and organizational health, consults on departmental reorganizations and employee impacts, and ensures that structural changes align with University policies, contractual obligations, and best practices for a high‑performing and productive workforce.

• Negotiation & Advocacy: Coordinate and lead negotiations for successor contracts and ensure compliance with existing collective bargaining agreements.
• Regulatory Oversight: Ensure strict adherence to applicable labor and employment laws.
• Stability: Manage grievance procedures to maintain a stable, respectful labor‑management environment.
• Assist in the development and administration of labor relations strategies for approximately eleven staff and student bargaining units.
• Collaborate with the Office of Equity, Compliance and Reporting, Office of General Counsel, and Office of Internal Audit to manage and resolve complex employee relations issues, including disciplinary actions and hotline complaints, with a focus on equitable outcomes.
• Provide expert coaching on performance management and facilitate conflict resolution, fostering a culture where employees feel supported and empowered.
• Drive operational excellence by leveraging technology for case‑management tracking and developing training resources that promote policy compliance and high‑performance culture.

• ELR Operations, Policy Implementation and Compliance.
• Labor Relations Support.
• Investigations and Conflict Resolution.
• Training and Compliance Management.
• ELR Project Management and Strategic Initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field required; master’s degree or JD preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive employee and labor relations and/or human resources experience, including significant experience in a position requiring application of labor and employee relations principles.
• Expertise in navigating complex unionized employee work environments and negotiations; strong technical proficiency with HRIS systems (knowledge of Workday/Salesforce preferred).

• Labor Law & Negotiation Expertise:
  Deep understanding of federal and state labor laws (e.g., NLRA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title IX) and ELR best practices; exceptional negotiation and mediation skills with track record of mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Communication & Relationship Building:
  Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills to convey complex information to diverse audiences; proven ability to build credible, influential partnerships with management, HRBPs, and employees.
• Analytical Problem‑Solving & Integrity:
  Superior critical‑thinking skills to interpret complex situations and develop proactive, data‑driven ELR solutions; maintains highest professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Operational Agility & Technical Proficiency:
  Results‑oriented, manages multiple priorities in fast‑paced environment; proficient in Microsoft Office and HRIS systems, leveraging data analytics and case‑management tools for efficiency.
• Inclusive
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Promotes a team culture of communication and productivity while fostering inclusion, equity, and belonging within the ELR team and across the University.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Benefits of Working…