Sr. Director for Employee and Labor Relations

Senior Director of Employee and Labor Relations at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) leads the university’s employee and labor relations function within a highly unionized environment. The role provides strategic vision, judgment, and expertise across collective bargaining, contract interpretation, dispute resolution, workplace investigations, policy development, faculty and staff relations, and labor‑management partnership.

Responsibilities

• Guide a workforce of approximately 2,200 employees represented by eight collective bargaining units.
• Lead collective bargaining negotiations as the first‑chair, including developing bargaining strategy, building internal consensus, negotiating agreements, and managing contract administration.
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements, labor laws, employment regulations, policies, and contractual obligations to provide practical guidance for managers, HR colleagues, employees, faculty, and institutional leaders.
• Advise senior leaders on complex workforce matters, facilitating clear, diplomatic, and sound decision‑making.
• Build and maintain credibility with union leaders, campus stakeholders, and the broader university community.
• Support the modernization of HR systems and promote a culture of proactive, solutions‑oriented labor relations.

Qualifications

• Significant progressive experience leading employee and labor relations functions within complex, highly unionized organizations, preferably in higher education, public sector, healthcare, or similar mission‑driven environments.
• Demonstrated first‑chair collective bargaining experience, including leading spokesperson duties, strategy development, and contract negotiation.
• Extensive knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, labor laws, employment regulations, and institutional policies.
• Ability to translate complex labor and employee relations matters into actionable guidance.
• Familiarity with faculty environments, shared governance, and resolution of complex personnel matters in academic settings.
• Strong technical depth, strategic judgment, emotional intelligence, resilience, and a proven track record as a trusted advisor to senior leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree, J.D., or other relevant graduate degree preferred.

Benefits

• Salary range: $200,000 - $225,000.

As an EEO employer, NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.