Strategic Employee & Labor Relations Partner

WWU College of Business & Economics; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Washington University is seeking an Employee and Labor Relations Partner to provide employee relations and labor relations services across the university, consulting on policies and CBAs, and supporting grievance administration. The role gathers information, prepares documentation, and advises HR leadership on appropriate next steps while safeguarding confidential data.

Responsibilities include guiding supervisors, managing case records, coordinating with HRIS and Payroll, and supporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Three years of relevant human resources experience, including employee relations, labor relations, or workplace policy interpretation.
• Experience responding to workplace concerns and researching and applying employment policies or collective bargaining agreement provisions.
• Experience working with HR information systems and employee data, including running reports and protecting confidential information.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with employees, supervisors, and representatives.

Responsibilities

• Respond to assigned employee and supervisor questions, gather information, identify applicable policies, and recommend practical next steps.
• Provide guidance to supervisors on performance expectations, documentation, and routine workplace concerns.
• Support fact finding by organizing records, interviewing participants, and preparing summaries and recommendations.
• Maintain accurate case records and tracking information.
• Research and explain collective bargaining agreement provisions for supervisors, and assist with grievance intake and administration.
• Support communication with union representatives and labor-management meetings; coordinate notes and follow-up actions.
• Support bargaining preparations and negotiations with data gathering and meeting notes.
• Develop resources and training for supervisors on policies and union basics.
• Track recurring questions and improve guidance and forms.

Skills

HR experience

Policy interpretation

HRIS

Data management

Communication

Labor relations

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree or HR certification (preferred)

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Western Washington University is seeking an Employee and Labor Relations Partner to provide employee relations and labor relations services across the university, consulting on policies and CBAs, and supporting grievance administration. The role gathers information, prepares documentation, and advises HR leadership on appropriate next steps while safeguarding confidential data.

Responsibilities include guiding supervisors, managing case records, coordinating with HRIS and Payroll, and supporting