Labor Relations Specialist

UMass Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Labor Relations Specialist serves as a dedicated HR partner supporting the University's Labor Relations function in a complex, unionized higher education environment. This role focuses on collective bargaining administration, labor relations processes, and operational support, including research, documentation, case coordination, and stakeholder communication.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree and at least two years of professional HR experience, with strong written and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field.
• Minimum of two years of professional HR experience, preferably with exposure to labor relations or unionized workforces.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, matrixed HR environment.

Responsibilities

• Liaison between Labor Relations and shared-service HRBP teams to ensure coordination and alignment on labor-related issues.
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements and labor-related policies.
• Provide labor relations guidance to HR colleagues and campus partners.
• Support consistent labor relations practices across departments.
• Assist with labor negotiations activities before, during, and after sessions.
• Coordinate intake, tracking, and administration of labor grievances and related cases.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Discretion with confidential info

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Title: Labor Relations Specialist

Executive Area: Human Resources

College/School/MBU: Human Resources

Department: Office of Human Resources

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement:Hybrid

Job Summary

The Labor Relations Specialist serves as a dedicated HR partner supporting the University's Labor Relations function. This role focuses on collective bargaining agreement administration, labor relations processes, and operational support within a complex, unionized higher education environment. This position supports Labor Relations leadership through research, documentation, case coordination, and stakeholder communication.

Essential Functions

• Labor Relations Support The Labor Relations Specialist serves as a liaison between Labor Relations and the shared-service HRBP team, ensuring coordination, information flow, and alignment on labor-related issues.
• Assists with the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of agreement, and labor-related policies.
• Provides labor relations guidance to HR colleagues and campus partners, escalating complex issues to Labor Relations leadership as appropriate.
• Supports consistent labor relations practices across departments in alignment with University policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Supports labor negotiations activities before, during, and after collective bargaining sessions.
• Grievance & Labor Case Coordination Supports the intake, tracking, and administration of labor grievances and other labor relations cases.
• Prepares documentation, correspondence, timelines, and summaries related to grievances, hearings, and arbitration.
• Coordinates meetings, hearings, and related logistics in partnership with Labor Relations leadership.
• Maintains accurate, confidential records and case files.
• Liaison to Employee Relations (ER) Acts as a point of coordination between Labor Relations and the shared-service HRBP teams.
• Ensures relevant information is exchanged to support contract compliance, grievance handling, and consistent application of policies.
• Assists in identifying when matters should transition between ER and LR, in alignment with established protocols.
• Supports communication and follow-up between ER, Labor Relations, and other HR stakeholders.
• Collective Bargaining & Contract Administration Assists Labor Relations leadership with contract administration and bargaining preparation.
• Supports data gathering, research, and analysis related to bargaining, grievances, and labor trends.
• Helps track contract provisions, deadlines, and implementation requirements.
• Assists with drafting and maintaining labor-related documentation, guidance materials, and summaries.
• Collaboration & Compliance Partners with HR Business Partners, Payroll, Benefits, Faculty Affairs, and other campus stakeholders to ensure coordinated labor relations support.
• Supports compliance with applicable employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, and University policies as they relate to labor relations.
• Assists with audits, reporting, and process improvement initiatives related to labor relations.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional Human Resources experience, preferably with exposure to labor relations or unionized workforces.
• Demonstrated experience using workplace technology and software applications, with the ability to learn and adapt to new systems, tools, and platforms quickly and effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, matrixed HR environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a unionized environment, preferably in higher education or the public sector.
• Foundational knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor relations principles.
• Familiarity with Massachusetts public sector labor relations.
• Experience supporting grievance administration or collective bargaining activities.
• Experience with Workday or comparable HRIS systems.

Additional Details

Competencies

• Labor Relations Fundamentals
• Contract Interpretation and Administration
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Coordination
• Judgment and Discretion
• Organization and Case Tracking
• Clear and Effective Communication

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

Pay Grade:PSSAP Grade 26

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This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.