Director, Labor & Employee Relations

$129,675 - $162,070/Yr

Obama Foundation - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Director

Chicago, IL

About the position

The Director, Labor and Employee Relations at the Obama Foundation will oversee a wide range of employment-related functions, focusing on maintaining a fair and equitable workplace. This role encompasses the investigation of internal complaints regarding equal employment opportunities and adherence to workplace policies. The Director will also handle employee discipline and involuntary terminations, develop and administer workplace policies, and address various workforce matters. A key aspect of this position is to enhance existing employment practices and workplace policies to ensure legal compliance, improve employee relations, and foster an enriching work environment. In this role, the Director will utilize a comprehensive understanding of workplace best practices and organizational dynamics. They will engage with stakeholders across various locations and collaborate closely with business leaders, HR business partners, and the legal department. The Director will lead and facilitate all aspects of employee relations programs, creating a positive environment by respecting confidentiality, establishing trust, and being approachable to employees. They will also partner with legal teams to design and deliver training on compliance topics and recent employment law updates. The Director will counsel employees on concerns related to Equal Employment Opportunity laws and assist managers in understanding and implementing company policies related to performance and discipline. Additionally, they will develop a case management system to log and track employee relations cases, disciplinary actions, and metrics to identify trends and develop proactive strategies. Reporting on trends in employee relations matters and proposing strategic solutions will be essential deliverables for this role, along with managing dispute resolution processes and ensuring compliance with human resources functional areas across multiple jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate all aspects of employee relations programs and related functions.
• Create an environment of positive employee relations and coaching by respecting confidentiality and establishing trust.
• Partner with legal and other constituents to design and deliver training on employee relations compliance topics.
• Counsel employees on concerns related to Equal Employment Opportunity laws.
• Assist managers and supervisors in understanding and implementing company policies related to performance and discipline.
• Develop an employee relations case management system to log and track case progress and metrics.
• Report on trends in employee relations matters and develop strategic solutions.
• Implement employee relations and labor management training in collaboration with the learning and development manager.
• Identify creative solutions to complex matters to uphold organizational values.
• Manage dispute resolution processes and lead compliance processes related to human resources.

Requirements

• Extensive and demonstrable labor and employment experience, including drafting and managing collective bargaining agreements.
• Problem-solving mindset with ability to balance legal risk and business impact.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Thorough understanding of human resources and labor relations principles, practices, and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with employees and stakeholders.
• Working understanding of statistical concepts and methods of data collection.
• Ability to compile, research, and analyze information and present comprehensive reports.
• Ability to understand the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, and compensation practices.
• Proficient in Google Suite.
• Juris Doctorate preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a non-profit organization.
• Familiarity with multi-state employment laws.
• Previous experience in training and development related to employee relations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $129,675 to $162,070.
• Inclusive and diverse workplace culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Health and wellness programs.
• Flexible work arrangements.