HR Consultant, Labor & Employee Relations - Illinois Human Resources

Illinois International; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life Insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking an HR Consultant, Labor and Employee Relations to provide strategic guidance on union and employment policies across campus. You will advise campus units, support bargaining negotiations, and help ensure compliance with state and federal laws.

The role requires a strong background in labor relations, experience advising management, and the ability to develop training materials and communication plans for university-wide audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, labor relations, law, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred in HR, labor relations, law, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Advise campus units on labor and employee relations policies and practices.
• Serve as primary central HR contact for represented employees in bargaining units.
• Develop and deliver training materials for HR practitioners and supervisors.
• Represent IHR in arbitration, Merit Board proceedings, and disciplinary cases as needed.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and participate in contract negotiations.
• Oversee grievance hearings and coordinate with unions to resolve disputes.

Skills

Labor relations

Policy interpretation

Dispute resolution

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is accepting applications for a HR Consultant, Labor and Employee Relations. This position provides strategic consultation and expert guidance on labor and employee relations matters, ensuring alignment with the university's goals and legal requirements. This role is vital for shaping labor relations strategies and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Threat Assessment Team

• Serve as primary and comprehensive support to the campus Threat Assessment Team (TAT).
• Act as case manager for cases discussed at weekly TAT meetings (gather information about persons of interest, including employment information, social media, and other sources of information).
• Prepare and distribute agendas for weekly meetings, take notes at TAT meetings, ensure that action items are completed in a timely manner.
• Develop and implement communications plan (e.g., TAT website, communications to campus, presentations to campus community, etc.).

Apply HR subject-matter expertise and organizational history to labor and employee relations issues.

• Advise campus units and employees on wide range of labor and employment policies and practices, including University Policy and Rules, Campus Administrative Manual, State Universities Civil Service System Statute and Rules, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, and other applicable state and federal labor and employment laws.
• Act as primary central human resources contact for various represented employees in bargaining units that vary in size, employee type, classifications, etc.
• Develop and implement documentation and reporting for administration of labor relations.
• Update union-related policies; recommend and implement policies and procedures necessary to establish and maintain compliance with collective bargaining agreements and general policies and procedures necessary to establish and maintain compliance with collective bargaining agreements and general human resources policies.
• Develop and deliver training materials that provide guidance to campus human resources practitioners and supervisors in areas such as Policy and Rules, FMLA, workplace violence, performance management and performance appraisals, and the Performance Partnership Program.
• Represent IHR in campus-level committees such as background investigations; coordinate programs including Employee Advisory Committee election, Staff Advisory Council election, employee recognition programs, etc.

Provide guidance to management on complex or novel issues.

• Participate in management meetings and offer guidance to campus units on labor and employee relations issues; consults with managers and supervisors in identifying and resolving problems and recommend courses of action.
• Develop and recommend appropriate corrective action; advise managers on communication approaches, documentation, and dispute resolution.
• Upon request, represent IHR in arbitration and Merit Board discharge proceedings, by serving as the expert witness, alongside University Counsel; as requested, assist in the planning and preparation of cases before arbitrators and administrative bodies.
• As assigned, assist in planning, preparation, and presentation of cases before arbitrators and administrative bodies, including disciplinary cases and grievance arbitration cases.

Interpret collective bargaining agreements and participate in contract negotiations.

• As assigned, serve as chief spokesperson in negotiations for collective bargaining agreements with various unions.
• Provide information and guidance to departments and employees regarding day-today administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Attend labor-management meetings requested by a union to discuss and resolve issues arising under a collective bargaining agreement.
• Regularly confer with bargaining unit representatives to review labor-management relations. Represent Urbana campus administrative and management viewpoints to union representatives.
• Build and maintain ongoing, long-term relationships between negotiating parties; and advocate and champion a productive management/union working environment.
• Resolve disputes that bind both labor and management to specific terms and conditions of labor contracts.
• Oversee and conduct grievance hearings for assigned university units and contracts. Resolve disputes to the satisfaction of all parties.

Work with supervisors to recommend and enact disciplinary measures, ensuring consistency with best practices and policies.

• Consult with and assist departments in the investigation of disciplinary matters, conduct pre-disciplinary meetings, and recommend appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with sound and accepted employee relations practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, labor relations, law, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree, preferably in human resources, labor relations, law, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with collective bargaining and grievance resolution.
• Professional experience in employee relations, including experience advising decision makers on issues related to performance management, policy interpretation and compliance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Familiarity with human resources management principles, theories, and concepts.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, prepare reports, analyses, and documents, and utilize quantitative and negotiation skills to facilitate dispute resolution.
• Familiarity with economic and wage data and extensive knowledge of Illinois labor and wage laws, collective bargaining procedures and related legislation.
• Knowledge of policies and practices involved in personnel/human resource functions.
• Familiarity with federal and state employment laws.
• Knowledge of University and campus structure, goals, procedures, policies, and practices.
• Understanding of college and unit level employment attributes and general human resources operations.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary for this position is $65,000- $75,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first‑generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well‑being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.