Senior & Labor Relations Specialist

Senior Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

Stanford University is one of the world’s premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives.

Reporting to the Employee & Labor Relations Manager, the Sr. Employee & Labor Relations Specialist is a demonstrated subject matter expert in complex employee and labor relations matters and responsible for leading investigations, writing investigative reports, advising on performance management and workplace concerns, interpreting and drafting policy and contract language, and providing guidance on corrective actions, separations, and grievances. The Sr.

Employee & Labor Relations Specialist serves as a trusted partner to university leadership, faculty, and staff and is critical in fostering a fair, consistent, and legally compliant workplace. The role provides advice, counsel, and training to Human Resources representatives, managers, employees, and other members of the Stanford community.

The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws, and collective bargaining agreements, exercises sound judgment, maintains strict confidentiality, and applies strong analytical and interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and concerns in alignment with the university’s mission and values. As part of our dynamic and collaborative Employee & Labor Relations team, the role will ensure the university remains an inclusive, supportive, and productive environment for all employees.

This position is currently hybrid, on-site minimum two days per week, at Stanford’s Redwood City campus location.

• Manage local efforts in coordination with legal counsel related to complex or highly complex employment matters, litigation, and government agency charges.
• Provide advice and counsel regarding leave administration, e.g., FMLA, CFRA, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the requirements under this law, e.g., the interactive process.
• Manage all facets of employee relations, including investigations and resolutions of employment disputes. Manage accurate documentation of investigations or other employment or labor matters.
• Ensure sound and consistent employee and labor relations decisions.
• Act as an objective and confidential intermediary for employees and supervisors. Manage conflict resolution, mediation facilitation, problem solving, and negotiation with/between supervisors and employees.
• Act as a trusted expert for managers, supervisors, and employees on university policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Conceive, design, and deliver training for employees, supervisors, managers, and local human resource managers pertaining to employee relations and related compliance (e.g., training regarding policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and/or applicable state and federal legal requirements).
• Participate in the development of policies, processes, and communications applicable university-wide.
• Manage collective bargaining agreements for a school/unit or university-wide basis, including managing contract negotiations, responding to grievances and information requests on behalf of the university, and assisting with arbitrations.
• Manage multiple university-wide employee and labor relations programs such as grievances, reduction in workforce, and terminations.
• Provide policy/contract advice and counsel to schools/units in all areas of policy/contract administration, including policy application. Advise in labor contract management and policy administration, and development.
• Manage university-wide reduction in workforce programs and approve locally proposed reductions in workforce and terminations to ensure compliance with university policies.
• Review research pertaining to trends and practices in labor/employee relations – synthesize conclusions, endorse, and develop programs that will…