Labor Relations Strategist Principal

Hennepin Healthcare; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 82,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards Package

Benefits program

Job summary

Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis seeks an experienced HR professional to partner with executives and bargaining teams. The role leads contract negotiations, analyzes data, and guides workforce planning to align with organizational goals.

You will respond to RFIs, coordinate training, and support leaders on employee relations. The position requires strong negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills within a complex matrix environment.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or related field
• 7 years progressive HR generalist/management experience in multiple HR disciplines including employee/labor relations
• Experience leading union contract negotiations or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of employment and labor law – federal and state statutes and regulations

Responsibilities

• Serves as chief contract negotiator during contract negotiations; leads bargaining strategy and analysis
• Provides recommendations to executive leadership on labor relations matters and bargaining status
• Chairs labor/management committees and facilitates related initiatives
• Assists with contract interpretation, MOUs, and policy statements
• Represents Hennepin Healthcare in arbitration, mediation, and related proceedings
• Develops procedures for grievance and meet-and-confer processes

Skills

Labor law knowledge

Negotiation

Coaching

Conflict resolution

Communication

Team leadership

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Baccalaureate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or related field

Job description

Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes a 473-bed academic medical center, a large outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center, and a network of clinics in the North Loop, Whittier, and East Lake Street neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and in the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St. Anthony Village. Hennepin Healthcare has a large psychiatric program, home care, and operates a research institute, philanthropic foundation, and Hennepin EMS. The system is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County.Equal Employment Opportunities: We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes and are committed to achieve optimal health for all by actively eliminating barriers due to racism, poverty, gender identity, and other determinants of health. We are committed to equitable care and working in an environment that celebrates, promotes, and protects diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to bringing in individuals with new cultural perspectives to assist in creating a more equitable healthcare organization.JOB DETAILSDepartment: HR Business PartnersFTE: 1.0Shift(s): DaysPurpose of this position: Partners closely with executive leaders, bargaining teams, and HR teams to ensure alignment between bargaining strategy, contract administration, workforce planning, and organizational goals. Leads labor negotiations, analytics, trend analysis, and risk assessments to inform negotiations, grievance patterns, and workforce climate. Serves as main point of contact for contract implementation, leading project management internally and collaborating with HR peers. Collects and compiles labor metrics and data. Responds to RFIs from unions.RESPONSIBILITIESServes as chief contract negotiator during contract negotiations; leads development of bargaining strategy, provides information and bargaining analysis with various Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS) constituents during negotiations and throughout duration of negotiated contractProvide recommendations to executive leadership regarding labor relations matters; keep executive leadership informed of bargaining statusProvides training and/or advising for leaders and administrative personnel in subject areas related to the employee relations program of HHS, such as grievance processing, contract administration, and organizational campaigns. Assists or designs related training programsChairs or facilitates labor/management committees, task forces or related initiativesAssists HR employees and leaders with contract interpretation and related labor issuesAssists HR professionals and leaders in problem solving including, but not limited to, the creation of Memorandums of Understanding, guidelines or policy statementsRepresent HHS in proceedings such as bargaining unit determination hearings and appeals, mediation and arbitration of labor agreements, arbitration of grievances, and labor management committeesCreate appropriate procedures for, and participates in, the grievance and meet and confer processesConduct research; prepare briefs and other documents for arbitration cases and conduct presentations at arbitration or mediation proceedingsProvide subject matter expertise to functional and technical staff in the development of information system programs supporting existing and new contract languagePerforms other work as assigned but only after appropriate trainingQUALIFICATIONSMinimum Qualifications:Baccalaureate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or related field7 years progressive HR generalist/management experience in multiple HR disciplines including employee/labor relationsExperience leading union contract negotiations-OR-An approved equivalent combination of education and experiencePreferred QualificationsExperience with Minnesota PELRAKnowledge/ Skills/Abilities:Knowledge of employment and labor law – federal and state statutes and regulationsAdept at problem solving and conflict resolutionSkilled in coaching and negotiationAbility to manage multiple conflicting priortiesFlexible and available to interact with employees at all levelsAbility to work in complex organizations (matrix, multi-cultural)Ability to build creditability, influence and negotiate at highest levelsStrong communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills in order to influence direction and impact decisionsSelf-directed and motivatedAbility to work well under pressure and flexible in adapting and responding to changing situationsSkilled in coordinating and leading teams through key/critical work/work processesSkilled in business acumenAdaptable to changing priorities, tasks, and work schedules to meet customer service standardsEffective use of all Windows-based applications such as Word, Excel and Power PointYou've made the right choice in considering Hennepin Healthcare for your employment. We offer a wealth of opportunities for individuals who want to make an impact in our patients' lives. We are dedicated to providing Equal Employment Opportunities to both current and prospective employees. We are driven to connect talented individuals with life-changing career opportunities, enabling you to provide exceptional care without exception. Thank you for considering Hennepin Healthcare as a future employer.Please Note: Offers of employment from Hennepin Healthcare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background checks and pre-employment requirements. Total Rewards Package:We offer a competitive pay rate based on your skills, licensure/certifications, education, experience related to this position, and internal equity.We provide an extensive benefits program that includes Medical; Dental; Vision; Life, Short and Long-term Term Disability Insurance; Retirement Funds; Paid Time Off; and Tuition reimbursement.For a complete list of our benefits, please visit our career site on why you should work for us.Department: HR Business PartnersPrimary Location: MN-Minneapolis-Downtown Campus Standard Hours/FTE Status: FTE = 1.00 (80 hours per pay period)Shift Detail: DayJob Level: StaffEmployee Status: RegularEligible for Benefits: YesUnion/Non Union: Non-UnionMin: $59.58Max: $89.36Job Posting: Sep-23-2026