Title: Associate Director of HR & Employee Relations
Department: Human Resources
Duration: Indefinite
Employment Status: Full Time
Job Summary
Reporting to the Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer (AVP/CHRO), the Associate Director of HR & Employee Relations is responsible for advising managers and supervisors on complex worker's compensation, ADA, leave, discipline, performance, and employer relations issues across a wide variety of academic, research, and business units at Occidental College (Oxy). In addition, this professional will coordinate with insurance providers during the worker's comp claim duration, communicate with doctors, employees and supervisors to reduce lost time. They will also focus on employee relations in a labor environment, interpreting and adhering to the collective bargaining agreements as they navigate discipline, leave administration, ADA accommodations, and performance appraisals. This professional must have a deep understanding of compliance while demonstrating a high level of EQ when advising and providing guidance to senior management and organizational partners. Must be adept at interpreting collective bargaining agreements, workforce management policies, procedures, programs, internal Oxy policies and external governmental regulations and laws. Represents the Office of Human Resources on college-wide teams and committees as assigned.
Job Duties
30% - Under the general direction of the AVP/CHRO, serves as primary employee relations liaison and strategic workforce consultant providing specific subject matter expertise in the areas of employee relations, discipline, and performance in a collective bargaining environment related to five (5) union represented units (non-tenured track faculty, professional/administrative, student works (2), and campus dining/facilities maintenance staff), worker's compensation,; Provide accurate and timely advice to units regarding discipline process; conduct disciplinary review conferences, PIPs and advice on appropriate outcomes. Conduct fact-finding and/or investigative reports. Collaborate and inform senior management and the General Counsel's Office in the investigation and identification of potential employee litigation. Represent the College at unemployment compensation hearings, as needed. They will draw from their generalist background and additional knowledge of recruitment and employment, classification and compensation, benefits, performance management, strategic planning, organizational development, process improvement. - (Essential)
20% - Manages a robust leave program, and ADA accommodation process with knowledge of applicable local, state and federal regulations while adhering to the appropriate collective bargaining agreements. Works to enhance program effectiveness and reduce response times. Coordinates with outside vendor to manage leave platforms and reporting. Partners with OGC to verify compliance to applicable laws. - (Essential)
35% - Oversees worker's compensation claims and participates in the design, development and implementation of innovative workforce programs and partnerships focusing on reduced lost time, organizational effectiveness and achievement of institutional goals and objectives. Routinely evaluates program effectiveness, 3rd party vendor involvement, claims adjusters and implement adjustments as needed. Ensure continued program evolution and process improvement in order to further enhance effectiveness and accelerate improved experience ratings and outcomes. - (Essential)
10% - Partners with organizational units to ensure timely and effective delivery of HR services to the Oxy Community. Coordinate requests for deeper levels of subject matter expertise in strategic planning, information, and problem management with applicable HR services including Recruitment and Employment, Classification & Compensation, Benefits, HR Operations, EAP/Work/Life Resources, etc. Develops and maintains effective and collaborative partnerships within the institution, with other Oxy components and offices, regulatory State and Federal offices, etc. Ensures timely reporting to and compliance with all Oxy, local, State and Federal agencies, policies, rules and regulations. - (Essential)
5% - Increases the use of technology solutions while partnering with efforts to measure, profile and segment the College's workforce. Provides timely, knowledgeable and accurate decision-support data and metrics. Performs other assigned responsibilities and duties associated with a specified service area with the Office of Human Resources. - (Essential)
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Organizational Development, Psychology, Business or related fields.
Minimum four years of progressively responsible experience at practitioner to senior level in human resource operations with particular emphasis in the areas of workers compensation, ADA, investigations, and performance management in a unionized environment. Adept at relationship building across the organization.
Demonstrated experience in providing effective leadership in the design, development and implementation of innovative workforce management programs and policies focused on developing and retaining a highly effective, productive, and qualified workforce.
Demonstrated business knowledge and understanding of unique business-related challenges, such as worker's comp, discipline, performance management, ADA and up-to-date applicable workforce management trends and strategies enhancing organizational effectiveness.
Experience in consistently providing tools, process improvement and information that enhance individual, departmental, and organizational performance.
Experience in the development and delivery of influential business presentations accommodating the diverse needs of various organizational groups including executive and senior leadership, middle management and supervision, and employee groups.
Demonstrated skills in leading and developing change management strategies.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace. Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
Strong commitment to a quality work product. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies. Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.
Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities.
Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree and/or relevant Human Resources certification, i.e., SPHR, etc. and/or Juris Doctorate.
Previous Labor Relations/HR experience within an institution of higher education.
Experience with Banner or similar Human Capital Management (ERP) programs and functionality. Demonstrated effectiveness in developing human resources programs.
EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $90,000-$130,000/yr
If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.
