Labor and Employee Relations Manager

California Institute of the Arts; Santa Clarita (CA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA, seeks a Labor and Employee Relations Manager to administer labor agreements, advise management, and manage grievances. This full-time, on-campus role coordinates with multiple departments to promote productive labor‑management relationships.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in HR or related field and at least five years in labor relations, including contract interpretation and investigations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, labor relations, business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Five+ years of progressively responsible labor and employee relations experience.
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements and managing grievance procedures.
• Experience advising management on labor relations matters and contract interpretation.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing written findings and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for labor relations matters related to four collective bargaining agreements (CWA and CU-UAW).
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements and provide guidance to managers and employees regarding contractual rights and obligations.
• Advise supervisors and department leaders on contract compliance, discipline, performance management, workplace issues, and labor relations best practices.
• Monitor compliance with labor agreements and identify areas of risk or concern.
• Conduct workplace investigations related to labor relations matters, contract disputes, and employee complaints.
• Develop and deliver training to supervisors and managers on collective bargaining agreement administration and labor relations practices.
• Prepare data, reports, costing analyses, and materials for negotiations.

Skills

Labor relations

Contract interpretation

Investigation

Negotiation

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Labor Relations/Business

Tools

None

Job description

• Office/Division: Division of Finance and Administration
• Department: Human Resources
• Classification: Full-time, Exempt, Confidential, Non-Represented Staff Position
• Salary Range: Grade 11: ($114,023 - $128,905) annually
• Schedule: Regular business hours, 8:30 - 5 pm with a 37.5-hour workweek; on-campus presence required

Position Overview

Position Identification

• Office/Division: Division of Finance and Administration
• Department: Human Resources
• Classification: Full-time, Exempt, Confidential, Non-Represented Staff Position
• Work Arrangement: In-person, on campus (Valencia, CA)
• Salary Range: Grade 11: ($114,023 - $128,905) annually
• Schedule: Regular business hours, 8:30 - 5 pm with a 37.5-hour workweek; on-campus presence required

Reports To: Executive Director, Human Resources

FLSA Status (exempt or non-exempt): Exempt

Employment Status (full or part-time): Full-time

Grade: Grade 11

Supervisory Responsibility: No

The Labor and Employee Relations Manager serves as the primary Human Resources contact for labor relations matters involving multiple collective bargaining agreements and for leading Employee relations matters. Reporting to the Executive Director of Human Resources, this position administers labor agreements, advises managers on contract interpretation, receives and manages grievances, conducts investigations, and supports collective bargaining activities.

The Labor and Employee Relations Manager partners closely with leaders, employees, union representatives, and Human Resources colleagues to promote positive labor-management relationships and ensure consistent application of collective bargaining agreements, organizational policies, and applicable employment laws. Cross-departmental collaboration will be essential across Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, Office of the President, General Counsel, and Provost Office.

This position requires a blend of strategic leadership and tactical, hands‑on execution. Operating without direct reports, the ideal candidate will lead broad labor initiatives while actively managing the essential administrative details that keep operations running smoothly.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Labor Relations Administration and Compliance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for labor relations matters related to four collective bargaining agreements (CWA and CU-UAW).
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements and provide guidance to managers and employees regarding contractual rights and obligations.
• Advise supervisors and department leaders on contract compliance, discipline, performance management, workplace issues, and labor relations best practices.
• Monitor compliance with labor agreements and identify areas of risk or concern.

Grievance Management

• Receive, track, investigate, and respond to grievances in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Conduct fact‑finding and gather documentation related to grievances and labor disputes.
• Coordinate grievance meetings and maintain complete and accurate records of grievance activity.
• Draft grievance responses and recommendations for review by Human Resources leadership.
• Partner with managers to resolve workplace issues before they escalat­e into formal disputes when appropriate.

Collective Bargaining Support

• Support the planning and execution of collective bargaining negotiations.
• Partner with the legal team to research and analyze contract language, labor market trends, and bargaining proposals.
• Prepare data, reports, costing analyses, and supporting materials for negotiations.
• Assist with drafting contract language, memoranda of understanding, side letters, and settlement agreements.
• Track bargaining commitments and support implementation of negotiated agreements.

Investigations and Employee Relations

• Conduct workplace investigations related to labor relations matters, contract disputes, and employee complaints.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and management to address employee relations concerns involving represented employees.
• Provide recommendations regarding corrective action, contract administration, and dispute resolution.
• Support efforts to maintain productive labor‑management relationships.

Training and Communication

• Develop and deliver training to supervisors and managers on collective bargaining agreement administration and labor relations practices.
• Educate leaders on grievance handling, progressive discipline, and contractual obligations.
• Assist in communicating negotiated contract changes and labor relations initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible labor and employee relations experience.
• Demonstrated experience administering collective bargaining agreements and managing grievance procedures.
• Experience advising management on labor relations matters and contract interpretation.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing written findings and recommendations.
• Exceptional conflict resolution, negotiation, and written/verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or other highly unionized environments.
• Experience participating in collective bargaining negotiations.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or labor relations certification preferred.
• Knowledge of California labor and employment laws.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong knowledge of labor relations principles and collective bargaining agreement administration.
• Ability to interpret complex contract language and apply it consistently.
• Excellent investigation, interviewing, and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple grievances and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong relationship‑building and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to work effectively with union representatives, employees, supervisors, and senior leaders.

Working Conditions

This position routinely interacts with employees, supervisors, union representatives, legal counsel, and organizational leadership. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required during negotiations, grievance hearings, arbitrations, or other labor relations activities.