Western Washington University (WWU) is recruiting a Director of Employee and Labor Relations to join their team in Bellingham, WA. This is a brand new position and a very exciting time of transition at WWU. Come lead the charge! In this role, you will set the vision, strategy, and goals for all aspects of employee and labor relations across the University and develop and streamline policies and procedures. This is an amazing opportunity to invent the ELR function at the University. Don't miss out on this chance to make a big impact in a new place. Learn more and apply today!

Another Source’s client, Western Washington University (WWU), is recruiting a Director of Employee and Labor Relations to join their team in Bellingham, WA.

Here’s a little about Western Washington University and the position they are recruiting for:

The Role:

The Director of Employee and Labor Relations is an organizational leader who provides guidance to all levels within the organization, utilizing specialized labor and employee relations expertise to resolve questions, concerns, and grievances for a large, complex group of employees in creative and effective ways. The Director represents the campus during negotiations and hearings and provides advanced professional advice and counsel to management on labor and employee relations issues, employee engagement efforts, and projects in support of a high-performance workplace. The Director works on labor and employee relations matters that are diverse and complex in scope and where analysis of data and situations requires evaluation of many factors and implications with broad impact on the organization.

What you will be doing:

This is a reimagined position wherein the Director of Employee and Labor Relations will set the vision, strategy and goals for all aspects of employee and labor relations across the University, develop and streamline policies and procedures, formally build the ELR department, strengthen relationships with unions, staff and managers, while being a leader in the exciting transformation at WWU!

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and five (5) years of human resources generalist experience including significant labor management, employee relations, and complaint investigation experience in both union and non-union environments
• Strong negotiating skills to settle issues and maintain harmony in the team
• Experience managing a dispute resolution program or grievance program
• Demonstrated experience with mediation and effective conflict resolution, facilitation, and consultation skills are required along with skills in fact-finding, analysis, problem-solving, and consulting to identify problems and recommend solutions
• Applicants must have the ability to exercise considerable judgment and discretion in establishing and maintaining good working relationships across the University
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, research, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to build effective teams through goal setting, defining responsibilities, empowering team members, providing feedback, and adhering to deadlines
• Ability to use high-level discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality in handling problems of a sensitive nature and security of confidential records
• Demonstrated experience managing collective bargaining agreements
• Familiarity with the uses of databases, data analysis, and modeling as management tools required Meticulous attention to detail
• Working knowledge of applicable state and federal employment and education laws and regulations
• Applicants must possess thorough knowledge, technical mastery, skill, and judgment in the application of relevant federal, state, and local employment and labor laws and regulations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced organization with competing priorities and distractions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Postgraduate degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or Law
• Certification in Labor Relations Management
• Employee and/or labor relations experience in a higher education and/or public agency setting

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs.

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Please also see WWU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including COVID vaccination by time of hire and Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to [email protected] if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.

Please view the full position announcement on the WWU Careers website

https://hr.wwu.edu/careers-staff?job=499814