Job Description

Posting number: 12M00000710

Department: Human Resources

Job classification: Human Resources Division Chief*

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Human Resources

Summary

The City of Richmond is seeking a strategic and analytical Labor Relations Manager to support labor-management relations and collective bargaining administration.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Human Resources or designee, this position plays a critical role in contract administration, grievance resolution, labor negotiations support, analytics, policy interpretation, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and Virginia public-sector labor laws. The City of Richmond has five (5) recognized bargaining units. This is a high-visibility role requiring sound judgment, discretion, analytical rigor, a proactive approach, and the ability to navigate complex labor environments in a municipal setting.

Examples of duties

• Oversee collective bargaining, contract administration, and alternative dispute resolution resulting in a coordinated and effective approach
• Proactively participate as a key representative in the employer-union relationship to ensure effective relations and achievement of business objectives and partner with the HR organization to ensure awareness of employee investigations/labor relations issues.
• Negotiate collective bargaining/employee agreements with assigned employee groups.
• Develop and maintain a collaborative relationship with bargaining unit and other group representatives.
• Develop bargaining strategies and prepare proposals.
• Analyze impact of proposals and develops alternative proposals that work for both parties.
• Achieve tentative agreements within established parameters and prepares agreements for leadership approval.
• Create and implement organized system of case management and ensures all cases are completed in a timely manner.
• Perform ongoing assessment of City labor relations positions and agreements and prepares reports.
• Provide recommendations and support for management decision-making processes.
• Recommend improvements to labor relations and contract negotiations.
• Compliance with federal and state regulations, laws regarding labor relations and human resources.
• Recognize potential employee relations issues and take or recommend necessary corrective action.
• Collaboratively integrate approaches, outcomes, deliverables, and solutions with partners in HR, Legal, and Finance

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a closely related field
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in labor relations, employee relations, or human resources within a unionized environment
• Experience supporting multiple bargaining units is preferred, as is prior supervisory or management experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong working knowledge of public-sector labor relations—preferably within the Commonwealth of Virginia—and the ability to interpret and administer complex collective bargaining agreements with precision and sound judgment.
• A master’s degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field is preferred, as is experience supporting police, fire, public works, or general government bargaining units.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of labor law
• Collective bargaining strategies and processes
• Labor relations issues in local governmental agencies with multiple unions
• Strong analytical capabilities, including experience with financial costing and impact analysis related to labor agreements and personnel matters
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements to include drafting, negotiating and interpreting agreements and leading efforts on compliance and enforcement
• Work effectively with individuals and groups regarding sensitive or controversial issues
• Strength in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and leadership, supervisory, conflict resolution, ethics, problem-solving, strategic thinking, leadership, and cultural competency.
• Thorough knowledge of labor relations practices and legal requirements
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills are essential, as is the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven and politically sensitive environment
• Proven ability working with all levels of City leadership required
• Collaborative team player
• Advanced Microsoft Office experience, including virtual team platforms for meetings, shared team documents, and instant messaging communications.