Labor Relations Specialist

The University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking a Labor Relations Specialist to serve as a dedicated HR partner for the Labor Relations function at Amherst. This hybrid, full-time role supports collective bargaining administration, labor processes, and stakeholder communication within a unionized higher education setting.

The position involves coordinating grievances, advising on contract provisions, and partnering with HRBPs and campus teams to ensure policy alignment and compliant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 2+ 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.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Support the Labor Relations function as a liaison with HRBP teams.
• Assist with interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements and labor policies.
• Provide labor relations guidance to HR colleagues and campus partners.
• Coordinate grievance and labor case documentation, hearings, and timelines.
• Assist with contract administration, bargaining prep, and data gathering.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Collaboration

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree

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

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.