ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CHIEF NEGOTIATOR (SPECIAL PROJECTS) - REMOTE

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Department Overview
Systemwide Labor Relations (SWLR) is responsible for negotiating and administering 19 systemwide labor agreements and 14 local agreements with 16 unions covering approximately 170,000 academic and staff employees across the UC system. This includes bargaining on first contracts, successor contracts, accretion, impacts and effects bargaining, side letters, mid-term modifications and the sunshine process. Administering the systemwide and local collective bargaining agreements also involves creating systemwide guidance around contract implementation and contract interpretation, handling formal requests for information, authoring and issuing critical union communications, and providing training, advice, and counsel to local labor relations staff across the system. In addition, Systemwide Labor Relations plays a critical role in labor disputes, including grievance processing, unfair labor practice charges, and strike preparation and responses. SWLR collaborates closely with key partners within UCOP including UC Legal (UCL) on labor-related litigation activity, the Office of State Governmental Relations (SGR) in representing the University's position on legislative, budgetary and policy matters concerning labor relations and collective bargaining, and the External Relations & Communications team to respond to media inquiries and develop messaging on labor relations and collective bargaining matters for internal and external stakeholders.

Position Summary
The Associate Director of Labor Relations / Chief Negotiator plays a critical, high-visibility leadership role across the University of California system in furthering the University's mission and labor relations goals, which includes fulfillment of its collective-bargaining obligations under the California Higher Education Employee-Employer Relations Act (HEERA). As Associate Director/Chief Negotiator, you will have ultimate responsibility for a variety of labor relations priorities as assigned by the Executive Director of Systemwide Labor Relations. These priorities include developing systemwide strategy and business processes around accretions and serving as the negotiator and primary point of contact across system-wide accretions bargaining. You will also demonstrate strategic leadership around additional other priorities and special projects, helping create business processes and standardized workflows across request for information processing, strike planning, the implementation of new legislation, notice requirements for new policies and procedures, and serve as needed as a negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, settlements, and other high-stakes engagements as assigned. As Associate Director/Chief Negotiator, you will be expected to excel in three primary areas: labor relations expertise demonstrated through professional experience and sharp strategic instincts; the ability to successfully project manage and execute on the priorities above; and a tenacious approach to fostering and maintaining effective and collegial relationships with internal and external stakeholders - including labor unions - while pursuing the University's strategic goals and objectives. You will apply sound judgment, critical thinking, problem solving, and independence in managing difficult negotiations, contract implementation, contract administration, and developing solutions to a variety of complex issues.This position is primarily remote within the state of California, with required in-person attendance at SWLR business meetings as directed by the Executive Director and required travel throughout the state for in-person attendance at bargaining sessions as needed consistent with job responsibilities. The selected candidate must reside within the state of California or be willing to relocate.

Key Responsibilities

40% COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: Serves as the University's lead spokesperson and bargaining team lead in systemwide engagements, including accretions bargaining, collective-bargaining and settlement negotiations. Develop and apply appropriate bargaining strategies to a wide variety of difficult, complex or highly adversarial situations, demonstrating a commitment to getting results while maintaining good faith relationships with UC's Unions. Lead project planning efforts to ensure that stakeholders across the UC system are engaged, informed, and provide feedback to our collective bargaining proposals and overall strategy. Effectively communicate the University's priorities, policies and strategies at the bargaining table, in written communications, and as needed to keep stakeholders informed and engaged.

40% LABOR RELATIONS SPECIAL PROJECTS: Designs and executes on strategic projects for the systemwide labor relations office, including requests for information processing, notice requirements for new policies and procedures, implementation of new legislation, strike planning, and other special projects as assigned by the Executive Director of Systemwide Labor Relations. These projects require business process improvement, change management expertise, the ability to train and build capacity in others, and the ability to draft and deliver strategic communications, as well as the ability to identify and quickly escalate issues with significant risk to leadership, as warranted.

20% COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION: Build and foster successful relationships with other University divisions including, but not limited to, campus and medical center personnel, UC Legal, Communications, State Government Relations, etc. ensure the furtherance of the University's labor relations and collective-bargaining objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, collaborating on responses to media or legislative inquiries, legislative actions, and correspondence from internal and external stakeholders regarding contract implementation, bargaining strategy, dispute resolution, and litigation. Build and foster productive relationships with labor unions towards ensuring healthy labor management relations and deescalating issues whenever possible. Maintain constant communication with key University stakeholders during impasse proceedings, strikes, and high-stakes litigation.

Experience
Required Qualifications

Minimum 10 years relevant experience in labor relations, human resources, labor and employment law or related areas, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum 4 years experience in a large, complex organization, the public sector, higher education and/or healthcare with direct experience as a chief negotiator.

Minimum 4 years experience drafting collective-bargaining proposals, contract language, and letters of understanding.

Minimum 4 years experience administering labor grievance and arbitration procedures, including dispute resolution.

Skills and Abilities
Required Qualifications

Subject matter expert in public labor relations, demonstrated through facility discussing labor relations concepts and strategies, and an approach to negotiating contracts rooted in successful professional experience.

Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to assess and competently engage in on-going problem solving including those that potentially impact the University's strategic goals, budget and/or mission, and to effectively address the most complicated issues/problems.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for a variety of audiences to formulate strategy, solicit feedback, and/or keep a wide audience informed of critical issues.

Thorough knowledge of labor and employment laws and collective bargaining terms; demonstrated working knowledge of human resources policies and procedures and federal and state rules and regulations that are relevant to public sector collective bargaining.

Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated by the ability to interact collaboratively and productively with diverse staff within UCOP, at the campuses, medical centers and with other universities and higher education associations, and proven ability to represent University positions effectively to external constituencies and other colleagues. Ability to develop and maintain positive and respectful working relationships with union leadership, including during adversarial situations.

Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in a collaborative environment, build consensus and promote the exchange of ideas among project team members, project management staff, and internal units.

Project management and organizational skills to plan and independently execute projects/tasks within specific and sudden deadlines, and successfully assess, balance, and prioritize numerous competing concerns; ability to teach, motivate, and influence others in order to accomplish a goal.

Demonstrated ability to function in a complex institutional environment. Ability to apply judgment and political acumen in problem solving; ability to understand interrelated needs of campuses, UCOP, and/or bargaining unions while being conscious of alternatives and their consequences.

Education
Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Preferred Qualifications

Juris Doctorate or Master's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or related area.

Human Resources Professional Certification (SHRM-CP or PHR) or Senior Human Resources Professional Certification (SHRM-SCP or SPHR).

Travel Requirements
25% Travel as needed for collective bargaining sessions throughout California and periodic department meetings.

Job Title
Labor Relations Representative 5

Job Code
000261

Salary Grade
Grade 26

Payscale:
$180,000 - $215,000

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is primarily remote within the state of California, with required in-person attendance at SWLR business meetings as directed by the Executive Director and required travel throughout the state for in-person attendance at bargaining sessions as needed consistent with job responsibilities. The selected candidate must reside within the state of California or be willing to relocate.

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is July 23, 2026. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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