Program Director Labor Relations

UM01 University of Maryland College Park (UMCP); United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland seeks a skilled labor relations professional to enhance the working relationship with labor unions, advise managers and HR staff, and support contract administration. You will coordinate joint labor-management activities, interpret collective bargaining agreements, and help negotiate at local and system levels.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and at least ten years of professional labor relations experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable HR laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of management-labor relations; collective bargaining principles and practices.
• Skill in mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.

Responsibilities

• Advise managers and employees on labor relations matters.
• Provide information and assistance on bargaining agreements and labor practices.
• Facilitate communication with unions and labor-management committees.
• Serve as subject matter expert on interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Respond to data requests from labor unions and related correspondence.
• Act as chief negotiator for local contract negotiations and support the statewide bargaining process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Labor relations

Mediation

HR policies

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement: This position 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. This position will work 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. Works with UHR Staff Relations consultants to provide interpretation of labor contracts to managers, employees, and other HR staff.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Advises managers and employees on sensitive labor relations matters. Provides information, advice and assistance to departmental Human Resources managers and staff regarding application of statutes, regulations, bargaining agreements and labor relations practices relating to their functional areas. Facilitates on-going communication and working relationships with unions including coordination of joint labor-management committees and union engagement committees. Serves as the subject matter expert on interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements. Responds to data and information requests from labor unions and other correspondence from labor unions. Serves a chief negotiator for contract negotiations with recognized employee organizations at the local level and assists and advises the University System of Maryland chief negotiator in the consolidated bargaining process. Other duties as assigned. Physical Demands: Licenses/ Certifications: 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.

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 CollegePark.

Additional Job Details Preferences

Master's or Juris Doctorate Preferred One year supervisory experience Required

Application Materials

Resume , Cover Letter , List of References

Best Consideration Date

November 17, 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 regarding disclosable background check information. 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.

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The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and 388,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation's first \"Do Good\" campus.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources

Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online

Search Firm Managed Opportunities

If you need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at one of the below options: Email: [e-mail] Phone: [phone] Maryland Relay: Dial 711 This contact information cannot be used to inquire about application status. There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities: Search Firm Managed Opportunities