Director of Labor Relations

Maimonides Medical Center Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 155,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Maimonides Medical Center seeks a senior Labor Relations leader to oversee development, execution, and management of the hospital’s labor relations strategy. This role partners with management, unions, and employees to resolve disputes, develop policies, and ensure regulatory compliance across the organization.

The incumbent will lead LR Managers, drive workforce flexibility, and build cooperative relationships with union representatives to foster a stable, productive environment aligned with

Qualifications

• 12 years’ of Labor Relations experience required, with 5+ years in a leadership role
• Demonstrated success in joint labor management settings
• Experience in hospital or healthcare organizations preferred
• Extensive experience in union negotiations, contract management, conflict resolution, and employee relations
• Strong knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and industry trends

Responsibilities

• Lead LR Managers and ensure their growth and success as strategic labor partners
• Redesign and execute the hospital’s long-term labor relations strategy
• Create strategies for workforce flexibility in response to labor trends
• Build relationships with union leaders to facilitate open communication
• Implement proactive labor management to reduce disruptions and address issues early
• Oversee arbitration and mediation to resolve disputes in the hospital’s best interests
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws in policies and agreements
• Collaborate with Legal, HR, and business leaders to align labor policies with goals
• Coordinate with HR and operations to support talent acquisition and retention
• Lead monthly union meetings to discuss labor issues and solutions
• Develop labor strategies to improve morale, engagement, and productivity in unions
• Create cooperative labor-management committees for joint problem solving

Skills

Negotiation

Conflict resolution

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

BA/BS

JD/MA/MS

Job description

About Us

We’re Maimonides Health, Brooklyn’s largest healthcare system, serving over 250,000 patients each year through the system’s 3 hospitals, 1800 physicians and healthcare professionals, more than 80 community-based practices and outpatient centers. At Maimonides Health, our core values H.E.A.R.T drives everything we do. We uphold and maintain Honesty, Empathy, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork to empower our talented team, engage our respective communities and adhere to Planetree's philosophy of patient-centered care. The system is anchored by Maimonides Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest independent teaching hospitals and home to centers of excellence in numerous specialties; Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital (formerly New York Community Hospital), a 130-bed adult medical-surgical hospital; and Maimonides Children's Hospital, Brooklyn's only children's hospital and only pediatric trauma center. Maimonides' clinical programs rank among the best in the country for patient outcomes, including its Heart and Vascular Institute, Neuroscience Institute, Boneand Joint Center, and Cancer Center. Maimonides is an affiliate of Northwell Health and a major clinical training site for SUNY Downstate College of Medicine.

Overview

This position is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the development, execution, and management of the hospital’s labor relations strategies. This role ensures alignment with hospital goals while fostering positive, collaborative relationships between management and union leadership and employees. The role will lead all aspects of dispute resolution, policy development, and compliance with labor laws. Additionally, the role will manage employee relations, mitigate labor-related risks, and proactively address issues to maintain a productive and harmonious environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of LR Managers, ensuring their growth, engagement, and success as strategic labor partners to the business
• Lead the redesign and execution of the hospital’s long-term labor relations strategy in alignment with organizational goals, corporate culture, and industry trends.
• Create strategies for workforce flexibility and agility, ensuring that the organization can quickly adapt to shifts in labor demand or union dynamics.
• Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with union leaders and representatives to facilitate open communication and cooperation.
• Implement proactive labor management techniques to reduce workplace disruptions, enhance labor engagement, and address potential issues before they escalates into conflicts.
• Implement and refine processes to effectively manage labor disputes, including arbitration and mediation, ensuring timely resolution in the best interests of both the hospital and employees.
• Integrate labor law compliance into all labor management strategies, ensuring that all policies and agreements adhere to federal, state, and local regulations while supporting the hospital’s strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with Legal, HR, and business leaders to craft policies that reflect labor laws, company values, and strategic goals.
• Work closely with HR and operations leaders to align workforce strategies with labor market trends, ensuring that labor agreements and policies support the hospital’s talent acquisition and retention strategies.
• Lead strategic initiatives to drive change within the labor relations function, ensuring the organization remains adaptable in a rapidly changing labor environment.
• Lead monthly meetings with union representatives to discuss key labor issues, identify emerging concerns, and collaborate on potential solutions.
• Develop labor strategies that focus on improving employee morale, engagement, and overall productivity within unionized environments.
• Create a framework for cooperative labor-management committees that facilitate joint problem-solving and decision-making on issues such as workplace safety, training, and benefits.

Qualifications

Education: BA/BS Required

JD/MA/MS Preferred

Experience: 12 years’ of Labor Relations experience required, with 5+ years in a leadership role

Demonstrated success working in a joint labor management setting

Proven track record of developing and executing labor relations strategies that drive positive employee outcomes

Extensive experience in union negotiations, contract management, conflict resolution, and employee relations

Demonstrated experience working with mid-level leaders

Experience working in a hospital or healthcare organization is preferred

Skills: Deep knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and industry trends, with the ability to interpret and apply them to evolving hospital needs

Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills with a demonstrated ability to manage complex labor relations issues

Strong organizational skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities effectively

Excellent communication skills—written, verbal, and interpersonal

Pay Range

USD $154,500.00 - USD $164,800.00 /Yr.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Maimonides Medical Center (MMC) is an equal opportunity employer.