Strategic HR & Labor Relations Partner

University of New Haven; West Haven (CT); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Welfare Programs

Wellness & Fitness

Tuition assistance

Employee discounts

Work/Life benefits

Job summary

The University of New Haven seeks an experienced Senior Human Resources Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor on employee and labor relations. You will partner with university leaders, managers, and employees to provide guidance on performance management, investigations, separations, and policy interpretation within a higher education context.

You will administer collective bargaining agreements, support grievance and arbitration processes, and help design practical HR solutions that

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field required; graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible HR experience, with demonstrated employee and labor relations experience; higher education experience preferred.
• Experience advising managers on performance management, corrective action, workplace conflict, employee complaints, and sensitive employment matters.
• Demonstrated experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations required.
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements, grievances, labor-management matters, and/or arbitration preparation required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary HR advisor to leaders and employees on employee and labor relations, including performance management, coaching, corrective action, disciplinary matters, workplace conflict, and employee concerns.
• Conduct and support workplace investigations, including interviews, document review, fact assessment, and preparation of findings and recommendations.
• Advise on employee separations and workforce changes, including involuntary terminations, position eliminations, reorganizations, and restructuring.
• Review employment and disciplinary actions for consistency with University policies, collective bargaining agreements, applicable laws, and established practices.
• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements and participate in grievance administration, disciplinary proceedings, arbitration preparation, labor-management matters, and contract negotiations. Develop effective working relationships with union representatives and leaders.
• Partner with leaders to identify employee and organizational challenges, assess employee-relations implications, and develop practical HR solutions.
• Interpret and administer HR policies and assist with the development and revision of policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance on applicable federal and state employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, paid leave, and anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation requirements.
• Identify emerging employee and labor relations issues and recommend appropriate strategies to HR leadership.

Skills

Employee relations

Labor relations

Performance management

Workplace investigations

Policy interpretation

Training & coaching

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/related field

Graduate degree preferred

Job description

The University of New Haven seeks an experienced Senior Human Resources Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor on employee and labor relations. You will partner with university leaders, managers, and employees to provide guidance on performance management, investigations, separations, and policy interpretation within a higher education context.

You will administer collective bargaining agreements, support grievance and arbitration processes, and help design practical HR solutions that