Labor Relations Specialist

This is an exciting opportunity to join a team that is shaping the future of labor relations at Tufts. Approximately 1,300 employees are represented across eight units across four distinct campuses, reflecting a diverse and complex labor landscape.

To support this environment, the university is building a comprehensive, university-wide Labor Relations function. This function will serve as a centralized resource and strategic partner for leadership across all schools and administrative units. Its purpose is to:

• Provide integrated expertise and leadership in labor relations, ensuring consistency and alignment across the institution.
• Proactively engage with employees and departments to foster positive workplace practices and reduce the risk of additional unionization efforts.
• Strengthen partnerships with existing unions, creating a foundation of trust, collaboration, and shared understanding to support university objectives.
• Develop and implement a long-term labor relations strategy that promotes a stable, constructive, and positive work environment for all employees.

Candidates will be part of a forward-thinking approach that balances organizational goals with employee engagement and well-being.

Participate in the negotiation, administration, and interpretation of Tufts' collective bargaining agreements. Serve as a point of contact for labor relations issues, including grievances, disputes, and disciplinary actions. helping managers/supervisors address grievances, conferring with labor and management representatives to resolve employee disputes; working with managers/supervisors to collect documentation/data for responding to union information requests and producing reports; attending joint labor management meetings, contract negotiations, impact bargaining sessions, arbitrations, and other meetings, recording notes and following up on action items; developing/maintaining a strong understanding of applicable collective bargaining and associated agreements, department policies, and Tufts employment policies in order to advise managers on issues of contract compliance; helping develop and schedule (and possibly conducting) training programs for supervisors/managers; drafting communications; and performing other duties as requested.

Essential Functions:

• Guide managers/supervisors regarding contract compliance and other issues related to supervising union personnel and conflict resolution.
• Investigate complaints, mediate conflicts, and advise management on labor law and policy compliance.
• Working collaboratively with labor and management representatives to resolve disputes. Participate in labor negotiations, including proposal development during collective bargaining sessions.
• Maintain accurate records of labor relations activity, including grievances, negotiations and contract changes.

Basic Requirement:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by a Bachelor's degree in HR management, labor relations, or business-related discipline; at least three years' experience either advising management on supervision of unionized employees, or with the labor

Preferred Qualifications:

Juris Doctorate preferred; ability to conduct hearings, determine relevant facts, analyze facts in relation to contract language/practices, and write clear responses to union contract grievances; strong organizational and oral and written communication skills