Program Director Labor Relations

University of Maryland; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Human Resources seeks a Labor Relations Program Director to lead labor relations, manage bargaining agreements, and oversee MOUs education initiatives. The role partners with management and unions to minimize conflicts and support university-wide HR strategies.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of labor relations experience; five years in supervisory roles. JD or Master’s preferred. This position is based at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Ten years of professional experience in labor relations or collective bargaining.
• Five years of supervising or managing professional staff.
• Knowledge of labor relations, employment laws, and related regulations.

Skills

Labor relations

Mediation

Conflict resolution

HR policies

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s or JD preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization’s Summary Statement:

University Human Resources is seeking a highly qualified Labor Relations professional with proven experience in building strong relationships between management and unions. The University currently has three bargaining units with two labor unions - Fraternal Order of Police, and an exempt and nonexempt bargaining unit with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. This position reports to the Director of UHR Workforce Relations and is responsible for continuing to improve the quality of the working relationship with the labor unions through regular proactive communication between management, the unions representing members of the bargaining units, the UHR Staff Relations consultants, and the University System of Maryland HR office. The incumbent works collaboratively with managers and local union leadership to minimize conflicts, solve workplace issues, manage the collective bargaining agreements, and play a key role in labor negotiations at the local level and in the consolidated bargaining process at the University System of Maryland level. The Labor Relations Program Director works on crisis oriented situations under pressing time constraints. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for developing education and training on the MOUs between the labor unions and UMD, as well as federal and state labor and employment laws. This position will be responsible for the supervision of staff positions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Ten (10) years of professional experience in labor relations or collective bargaining. Five (5) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable human resources related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Knowledge of management-labor relations; the principles and practices of labor relations, collective bargaining, conflict resolution, employment laws, and skill in their application.
Skill in the effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to reconcile labor relations issues in the context of both existing labor agreements and desired future states of labor relations at the University of Maryland College Park.

Additional Job Details

Preferences: Master’s or Juris Doctorate Preferred

Required Application Materials: Resume, Cover Letter, List of References

Best Consideration Date: October 20th, 2026

Posting Close Date: NA

Open Until Filled: Yes

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

Yes

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland’s State Ethics Commission website.

Department

VPA-University Human Resources

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$180,000-216,000

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regardingdisclosablebackground checkinformation. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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