Senior Workforce Relations Strategist (Labor & Bargaining)

University of California - Irvine; Anaheim (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Irvine is seeking a Workforce Relations Consultant to provide employee and labor relations support to managers, supervisors, and HR teams, resolving workplace disputes informally and reducing employment liability.

The role serves as the expert on staff collective bargaining agreements, leads meetings with unions, represents the university in grievances and arbitrations, and coordinates with law and compliance offices.

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years of experience in labor and employee relations.
• Expert knowledge of dispute resolution and labor contract administration.
• Ability to bargain complex issues and handle volatile situations.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area (or equivalent experience).
• Juris Doctorate is preferred for this role.

Responsibilities

• Advise managers, supervisors, and HR staff on complex labor and employee relations issues.
• Facilitate meetings among union representatives, employees, and management to settle disputes informally where possible.
• Represent the university in grievances, arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, and wage claims.
• Prepare written analyses and present the university's position at hearings under the Senior Director's direction.
• Coordinate with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, Campus Counsel, Risk Management, and outside counsel on litigation and information requests from unions.

Skills

Labor relations

Dispute resolution

Grievance procedures

Labor contract administration

Negotiation / Bargaining

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Juris Doctorate preferred

Job description

University of California - Irvine is seeking a Workforce Relations Consultant to provide employee and labor relations support to managers, supervisors, and HR teams, resolving workplace disputes informally and reducing employment liability.

The role serves as the expert on staff collective bargaining agreements, leads meetings with unions, represents the university in grievances and arbitrations, and coordinates with law and compliance offices.