Job Description

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, the Assistant Vice President, Employee and Labor Relations is a senior leader within the Human Resources department accountable for overseeing a high volume, complex, employee and labor relations environment across a multi-site organization. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for all employee relations matters, labor union engagement, and workplace investigations, ensuring consistency, compliance, and risk mitigation.

The Assistant Vice President will lead a team of three Assistant Directors and oversee Employee and Labor Relations support across more than 20 locations spanning all boroughs. This role requires deep expertise in managing complex employee relations issues, cultivating productive relationships with union leadership, and partnering closely with internal and external legal counsel.

This position operates in a fast-paced, high volume, high accountability environment and requires a leader with exceptional judgment, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to navigate sensitive matters with professionalism and rigor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Oversight

• Shape and execute Employee and Labor Relations strategy aligned with organizational priorities
• Advise executive leadership on complex employee relations and labor matters using data, trends, and risk analysis
• Establish consistent frameworks, standards, and practices across all locations

Employee Relations Management

• Oversee a high-volume caseload of complex employee relations matters (investigations, discipline, terminations, conflict resolution)
• Ensure consistent, compliant, and equitable handling of all cases
• Maintain meticulous, audit-ready documentation within HCM systems
• Analyze case data to identify trends and proactively mitigate organizational risk

Labor Relations and Union Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with union leadership and key representatives
• Lead labor relations strategy, including interpretation and application of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)
• Oversee grievance processes, mediations, and dispute resolution efforts
• Track and analyze grievance and arbitration trends to inform strategy and improve outcomes

Investigations, Mediation and Conflict Resolution

• Lead complex workplace investigations with rigor, objectivity, and attention to detail
• Apply strong mediation skills to resolve disputes and drive constructive outcomes
• Ensure all investigative documentation meets legal and audit standards

Legal and Compliance Partnership

• Partner with internal and external legal counsel on employee relations, litigation, and risk mitigation
• Prepare detailed case summaries, reports, and documentation to support legal strategy
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of three Assistant Directors
• Provide oversight to Employee & Labor Relations staff supporting 20+ locations
• Foster a high-performance, accountable, and service-oriented culture
• Establish clear expectations for documentation, system utilization, and case management rigor

Field Operations and Multi-Site Support

• Oversee Employee & Labor Relations support across all boroughs and locations
• Ensure consistent application of policies and procedures in a decentralized environment
• Partner with operational leaders to address site-specific workforce challenges

Process Excellence, Systems & Reporting

• Utilize HCM systems (e.g., Dayforce, ReportIt) for case tracking, documentation, and reporting
• Develop and maintain Excel-based dashboards to monitor case volume, trends, and resolution timelines
• Create executive-level PowerPoint presentations to communicate insights and recommendations
• Leverage Outlook and related tools to manage high-volume communication and coordination
• Continuously improve processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance

Communication and Influence

• Demonstrate exemplary verbal and written communication skills
• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively to executives, legal counsel, and union representatives
• Influence outcomes through credibility, professionalism, and data-driven recommendations

Other

• Perform additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field; or comparable experience (Master’s degree preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive Employee and Labor Relations experience in high-volume, complex environments
• Demonstrated experience cultivating relationships with labor union leadership
• Strong experience managing grievances, mediations, and dispute resolution
• Proven experience leading complex workplace investigations
• Experience working with internal and external legal counsel
• Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams
• Experience supporting multi-site, decentralized operations

Required Competencies

• Meticulous attention to detail and strong documentation practices
• Exemplary technical expertise in employee and labor relations
• Strong judgment and ability to navigate sensitive situations
• Ability to operate with rigor in a fast-paced, high demand, high volume environment
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and workload management capabilities
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite:
• Strong experience with HCM systems and data-driven decision-making

Preferred

• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) highly preferred

*Hybrid work schedule, three days in office.

The organization currently operates under a hybrid work model for designated roles. Work schedules are subject to change based on business needs. The organization reserves the right to modify work location expectations at its discretion.

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled