Labor and Employee Relations Specialist

FORDHAM University; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Life insurance

Retirement plans

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Fordham University is seeking a Labor & Employee Relations Specialist to support the LER team in administering employee relations programs, investigations, and labor relations activities across the University.

Reporting to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, the role requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years in HR, with strong knowledge of laws, policies, and case management. Occasional evenings/weekends may be required as investigations or negotiations arise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum of two years’ professional HR experience in employee relations, labor relations, investigations or compliance.
• Knowledge of employment laws/policies and ability to apply them.
• Experience with HRIS, case management systems, and reporting tools.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate intake and assessment of employee relations matters and advise leadership on actions.
• Assist with interpretation/administration of collective bargaining agreements and grievance processes.
• Ensure policies comply with laws and assist with policy drafting and interpretation.
• Conduct workplace investigations and draft investigative reports with remediation recommendations.
• Support stakeholders and improve departmental programs based on feedback.
• Develop training on performance management, conduct, investigations, and policy compliance.

Skills

MS Office

HR best practices

Communication

Organizational skills

Team-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR

SPHR/PHR/SHRM certs

Tools

HRIS

Case management systems

Reporting applications

AI-enabled tools

Job description

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and generous time off. Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

The Labor & Employee Relations Specialist role will join a dynamic and supportive LER team, where we work collaboratively to support each other’s case workload. The LER Specialist will demonstrate an understanding of the University’s Jesuit mission by providing caring and compassionate attention to LER matters, enhancing the overall customer experience, and fostering a culture of excellence among the workforce. Reporting to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, the Labor & Employee Relations Specialist serves as a key resource in supporting positive employee and labor relations across the University. The Specialist assists in the administration of employee relations programs, workplace investigations, labor relations activities, performance management matters, disciplinary processes, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and compliance initiatives. Due to the nature of employee and labor relations matters, this position may require occasional evening and weekend work to support investigations, labor negotiations, employee meetings, emergency response activities, and other operational needs.

Essential Functions

Coordinates the intake and initial assessment of employee relations matters, providing actionable recommendations to leadership on performance counseling, dispute resolution, and disciplinary actions in accordance with University policy and collective bargaining agreements.

Supports positive labor-management relationships by assisting with the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, grievance processes, labor-management meetings, and contract compliance.

Ensures that departmental policies, practices, processes, and guidelines comply with laws and regulations; assists with drafting, implementing, and interpreting policies, procedures, and guidelines at the departmental level.

Conducts workplace investigations involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, policy violations, and other employee relations concerns. Interviews complainants, respondents, and witnesses; analyzes findings; prepares investigative reports; and recommends corrective actions and remediation measures.

Assists department leaders in matters relating to stakeholders’ feedback (e.g., students or special programs) and recommends strategies to improve the implementation and creation of successful departmental programs.

Drafts and presents training programs, workshops, and educational resources related to performance management, employee conduct, workplace investigations, labor relations, conflict resolution, and policy compliance.

Utilizes data analytics, reporting tools, automation technologies, and emerging AI solutions to improve operational efficiency, case management, trend analysis, documentation practices, and overall service delivery within Labor and Employee Relations.

Provides administrative and project support to the Director of Labor and Employee Relations.

Records accurate minutes during workplace investigation meetings, labor/employee relations conferences, union contract negotiations, etc.

Supports the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of labor and employee relations case management and tracking systems, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and compliance with record retention requirements. Conducts research and evaluates technology solutions that enhance productivity, reporting capabilities, knowledge management, and employee relations operations.

Essential Functions Note

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Not responsible for supervision or oversight of others.

Additional Functions

Serves as a backup for the workplace accommodations process.

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.

Minimum of two years’ professional experience in the field of Human Resources, including experience in employee relations, labor relations, workplace investigations, or employment compliance.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint Pivot)

Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply employment laws, regulations and policies

Experience utilizing HRIS , case management systems, and reporting applications.

Ability to handle and maintain confidential information with discretion

Demonstrated positive, team-oriented approach to service delivery.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information concisely and understandably to stakeholders

Ability to handle sensitive matters with confidentiality and diplomacy.

Demonstrated organizational, administrative, and project management skills.

Experience utilizing technology, automation, reporting tools, and AI-enabled solutions to improve operational efficiency, documentation, workflow management, data analysis, or service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a unionized environment and higher education setting is preferred.

SPHR , PHR , SHRM - SCP , SHRM -CP, and/or certifications in Employee Relations and Investigations.

Minimum Starting Salary

Minimum Starting Salary $75,000

Maximum Starting Salary

Maximum Starting Salary $85,000

Note

Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Is this a Union position?

No

Posting Number

Posting Number A1066P

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Start Date

Start Date ASAP

Posting Date

Posting Date 06/01/2026

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

Sitting Often

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing)

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Often

Hearing, Listening, Talking Often

Standing

Standing Seldom

Walking

Walking Seldom

Running

Running Not Required

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Not Required

Climbing stairs Not Required

Climbing ladders

Climbing ladders Not Required

Reaching overhead

Reaching overhead Not Required

Pulling, pushing

Pulling, pushing Not Required

Shoveling

Shoveling Not Required

Lifting – up to 20 pounds

Lifting – up to 20 pounds Not Required

Lifting – up to 50 pounds

Lifting – up to 50 pounds Not Required

Lifting – over 50 pounds Not Required

Work Environment Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.