Director of Employee & Labor Relations

Baystate Health; Springfield (MA); Hybrid; USD 174,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Education assistance

Generous PTO and retirement benefits

Job summary

Baystate Health is seeking a Director of Employee & Labor Relations to lead system-wide ER and labor relations strategy from Springfield, MA. This role reports to the VP of HR Strategy & Consulting and directs a team of ER specialists, shaping fair and high-performing workplaces.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and 8+ years in ER/LR, plus 5+ years of HR leadership in a multi-site setting. Hybrid work is available with travel to Baystate Health entities as needed in MA/CT.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 8+ years of experience in employee and labor relations.
• 5+ years of progressive HR leadership in a complex, multi-site organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in employee and labor relations, investigations, and employment law.
• Strong negotiation and coaching skills with ability to advise leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise Employee & Labor Relations Strategy aligned with Baystate Health goals.
• Assess climate using data, trends, investigations, and disputes to identify opportunities.
• Develop proactive strategies to strengthen employee-management relationships and reduce risk.
• Oversee case and incident tracking, reporting, metrics and trend analysis.
• Serve as strategic advisor to senior leaders, HRBP, managers, and employees.
• Provide expert guidance on investigations, discrimination, accommodations, hiring, discipline, and termination.

Skills

Employee relations

Labor relations

Investigations

Dispute resolution

Regulatory compliance

Performance management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

Lead strategy. Shape culture. Strengthen relationships. Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, is seeking an accomplished Director of Employee & Labor Relations to lead system-wide employee and labor relations strategy in Springfield, MA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reporting to the Vice President, HR Strategy & Consulting, the Director will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, operational leaders, and HR Business Partners while leading a team of Employee & Labor Relations Specialists.
• The Director of Employee & Labor Relations serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, HR Business Partners, managers, and employees while shaping strategies and programs that foster a fair, respectful, engaged, and high-performing workplace.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead Enterprise Employee & Labor Relations Strategy: Develop and execute an enterprise-wide employee and labor relations strategy aligned with Baystate Health’s goals and values.
• Assess the employee relations climate and use data, case trends, investigations, disputes, and other insights to identify opportunities for intervention.
• Develop proactive strategies that strengthen employee-management relationships and reduce organizational risk.
• Oversee the employee relations case and incident tracking process, including reporting, metrics, and trend analysis.
• Serve as a Strategic Advisor: Partner with senior leaders, HR Business Partners, and operational leaders to address complex employee and workplace issues.
• Provide expert guidance on performance management, investigations, discrimination, disability accommodations, hiring, disciplinary actions, termination, allegations of wrongful termination, and other employment matters.
• Coach leaders and HR professionals on effective employee relations practices and appropriate approaches to workplace concerns.
• Help leaders navigate difficult situations while promoting fairness, consistency, accountability, and respect.
• Lead Labor Relations: Develop and implement the organization’s labor relations strategy, programs, and policies.
• Participate as a management representative in collective bargaining and contract negotiations.
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements while balancing organizational objectives and positive labor-management relationships.
• Oversee grievances, unfair labor practice matters, arbitrations, dispute resolution, and contract administration.
• Assess labor vulnerability and develop proactive strategies to address emerging labor relations issues.
• Drive Compliance & Risk Management: Partner with HR leadership and Legal to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee employment-related regulatory matters, including OFCCP, Affimative Action Plans, wage and hour compliance, and pay equity reviews.
• Ensure required regulatory reporting and compliance activities are effectively managed.
• Identify potential employee relations and labor relations risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Build Leadership Capability: Design and deliver employee and labor relations training and awareness programs for managers, supervisors, and HR professionals.
• Establish consistent practices for complaint handling, investigations, dispute resolution, and employee-management communications.
• Equip leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively manage workplace challenges.
• Promote open communication and a culture where employees and leaders can address concerns constructively.

SCHEDULE

Full-time Monday–Friday Occasional weekends depending on case severity

LOCATION

280 Chestnut St, Springfield, MA Will be required to travel to other Baystate Health entities as needed. Hybrid work opportunity- minimum of 3 days on-site required. Candidate must live in MA or CT

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors Degree, required 8 years of experience in employee and labor relations, preferably within healthcare or another highly regulated environment.
• 5 years of progressive HR leadership experience in a complex, multi-site organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, labor relations, collective bargaining, investigations, dispute resolution, and employment law.
• Strong experience advising leaders on complex and sensitive employee matters.
• Proven ability to develop and execute enterprise-wide HR strategies and programs.
• Strong negotiation, communication, coaching, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate complex situations with sound judgment, discretion, and a balanced approach.

The Advantages of Working With Baystate!

• Excellent Compensation
• High-quality, low-cost medical, dental and vision insurance
• Generous PTO – up to 25 days in the first year, with scheduled earned increases
• Continuing education support and reimbursement
• First Time Home Buyers Financial Packages
• Farm Share Memberships
• 403b retirement company match & annual company contribution increase based on years of service
• Free money coach advice from a certified professional
• Wellbeing programs that include but are not limited to mental, physical, and financial health
• Pet, home, auto and personal insurance
• Life insurance
• Reimbursement for a variety of well-being activities, included but limited to gym membership and equipment, personal trainer, massage and so much more!

Education

• Bachelors Degree (Required)

Certifications

• Compensation

Note

The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range.

Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum $174,283.00 - $200,324.00 - $236,891.00

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

About Baystate Health

Baystate Health (BH) is one of New England’s leading and largest integrated health care organizations, serving a population of nearly one million people throughout western New England. With roots dating back to the founding of Springfield City Hospital in 1873, Baystate Health has been providing high-quality and compassionate health care in western Massachusetts for more than 145 years. With more than 12,000 employees, a medical staff of nearly 3,100 physicians, and a net patient service revenue of more than $1.4 billion, the ever-growing health system includes five Massachusetts hospitals and the Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center in Ware: Baystate Medical Center in Springfield Baystate Children’s Hospital (located at Baystate Medical Center) Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield