Latin School of Chicago is seeking an experienced Assistant Director of Human Resources with Labor Relations experience to join our team.

Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence.

This position will serve as a critical member of a small HR team that wears many hats and is committed to providing exceptional service and support to the School. This is a hands on role and the work will span various HR responsibilities including labor and employee relations, project management, HR Generalist duties, employee life-cycle support including but not limited to onboarding/offboarding, HRIS administration, payroll, and compliance related activities. This role requires someone who thrives in a fast paced environment where grit and reliance are valued as highly as operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the planning and preparation process for labor contract negotiations, including the development of the Schools proposals and bargaining strategy and analysis of key bargaining items.
• Oversees and administers the collective bargaining agreement and labor policies.
• Work collaboratively with all employees and senior administrators to support an environment that delivers positive employee relations and increases in employee engagement
• Ensures that fair and equitable treatment of all employees is consistent with the Schools mission and values.
• Handles employee complaints, manages the bargaining unit grievance procedure and facilitates issue resolution with all stakeholders.
• Administers and supports the administration of labor contracts, provides interpretation of labor contracts to managers and bargaining unit employees and oversees processes for review and resolution of employee grievances.
• Develops, advises and trains management in best employee and labor relations practices for managing workplace issues and employee grievances.
• Leads or participates in projects focused on continuous improvement within the HR function.
• Help drive and support compliance related activities such as audits, reporting, benefit reviews, etc.
• Builds effective relationships across the organization and provides ongoing coaching in order to help resolve sensitive employee situations. Works proactively to identify risks before they become issues and takes appropriate actions to address and resolve concerns in conjunction with the HR Director.
• Trains and communicates policies and procedures to faculty and staff, as appropriate.
• Provide counsel and direction to employees around issues pertaining to employee and labors relations, leadership development, conflict resolution, etc.
• Work collaboratively with HR Director, HR Generalist and HR Operations Specialist on day to day HR support needs of the school including but not limited to partnering on all aspects of the employee life cycle.
• Actively participate and support the team in addressing employee questions, with an ability to maintain and respect confidentiality
• Work with team to support all compliance reporting as well as HR audits related to health and welfare benefit plans.
• Help build and drive recruitment processes across the School.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelors degree
• 7-10 years of experience with labor and employee relations with proficiency in compliance, research, data analysis
• Prior experience with contract administration, grievance proceedings, performance management, disciplinary activities, as well as facilitating on-going communication and working relationships with union representatives and other stakeholders.
• Experience providing guidance on employee and labor relations issues and managing moderate to complex employee issues, investigations and writing investigative reports.
• Strong working knowledge of labor and employment laws and regulations along with the ability to appropriately interpret and apply policies, laws and practices when address employment matters.
• Strong problem solving, critical thinking and decision making skills along with the ability to objectively identify, assess and resolve issues.
• Demonstrates knowledge and experience with driving diversity, equity and inclusion work.
• Knowledge and experience working with and supporting HRIS and payroll systems
• Organized with impeccable follow up skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Strong project management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and problem solving skills
• Collaborative work style with a focus on providing exceptional service to the School and the ability to effectively work and influence cross functionally
• Must have comprehensive HR generalist knowledge, and be versed in the areas of benefits, workforce planning, recruitment and staffing strategies, wage and salary administration, employee and labor relations, workforce training and development.

Latin School embraces diversity of people, cultures, and ideas and is an equal opportunity employer.