City of Philadelphia · 1 week ago
Deputy Director of Labor Relations
Philadelphia, PA, US
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$125K/yr - $125K/yr
6+ years expThe City of Philadelphia is a vibrant employer that values inclusion and innovation, offering numerous opportunities for career growth. The Deputy Director of Labor Relations will lead the Labor Relations Unit, providing expert guidance on labor laws and managing labor-management relationships while overseeing contract negotiations and training initiatives.
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Responsibilities
Directs and manages the grievance and arbitrations process for the LRU and provides expert testimony at arbitrations and interest arbitration hearings
Applies knowledge of the contracts, Pennsylvania public labor laws, and federal employment law in daily work providing counseling and guidance to City leadership
Conducts supervisory training and advanced labor management training and specialized or department-tailored labor relations training
The Deputy Director is responsible for fostering a positive labor-management relationship, ensuring effective onboarding processes for new employees, and maintaining operational efficiency
Provides strong initiative and a comprehensive understanding of various union contracts, their history, and the local labor environment to those internal and external to Department of Labor
Provides strategic and technical consultation and guidance to City leaders on contract interpretation and implementation, as well as corrective action support
Directs the work of LRU team members
Frequently communicates with and advises senior level officials, exerting influence on the labor management relationship City-wide and all other duties as assigned
Act as a key member of the City’s bargaining team during contract negotiations
Draft and evaluate contract language proposals and administrative documents
Collaborate with team members to analyze and interpret collective bargaining agreements, maintaining comprehensive knowledge of their history and implications
Counsel and guide City leadership on labor relations matters, ensuring adherence to Pennsylvania public labor laws, municipal union contracts, and federal employment law
Advise managers throughout the City government on labor management issues or employee relations matters
Advise Senior Administration Officials with respect to labor strategy and high-profile labor management or employee relation issues
Supervise staff members who conduct grievance hearings for municipal union members and review their subsequent reports
Conduct training sessions on Labor Relations and related training for supervisors and managers
Work with OELR’s Director to develop labor and employee relations policies, strategies, and initiatives; meet with Managers to identify problem areas and make recommendations to address those areas of concern
Provide testimony as needed at interest and grievance arbitrations and unfair labor practice hearings
Serve on City’s negotiation teams that bargain with the municipal unions for successor agreements
Meet frequently with Law Department and outside attorneys in preparation for legal proceedings against the City
Field requests from Union officials regarding various actions/policies taken by departments to determine compliance with collective bargaining agreements. Mediate disputes or concerns within departments
Monitor and analyze workload demands across the LRU, ensuring effective distribution of tasks and prioritizing essential projects to maintain productivity
Step in to manage or complete tasks in cases of short-staffing, high workload, or unforeseen absences, supporting the team in meeting deadlines and quality standards
Assume accountability for the LRU’s output, ensuring the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of all reports, agreements, and labor-related documentation
All other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
A Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, Human Resources, or related field
At least six years of progressively-increasing responsibility, in labor relations, human resources, collective bargaining, contract negotiations or grievance resolutions, with at least two years of which was in a management-level position
Advanced knowledge of Pennsylvania labor laws and federal employment law
Comprehensive understanding of collective bargaining processes, labor contracts, and relevant labor laws
Familiarity with Microsoft Office and database management systems used in case management
Knowledge of data organization, storage, retrieval, security, and integrity protocols for electronic record-keeping
Proficient in conducting legal research and applying findings to labor relations strategies
Deep understanding of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations and compliance requirements
Expertise in arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution processes under labor laws
Strong understanding of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), ADA, FLSA, and other relevant federal statutes
Strong analytical skills for interpreting complex union agreements and historical labor data
Proficient in conflict resolution, negotiation, and managing labor-management interactions
Strong organizational leadership skills for motivating and managing staff, setting goals, and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders
Exceptional communication and writing skills for effectively expressing information to individuals or groups
Proficiency in developing and conducting labor relations training programs
Adept at developing and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) related to labor relations
Experienced in creating labor relations strategies that align with organizational goals and compliance requirements
Ability to identify systemic issues within labor relations and recommend sustainable solutions
Demonstrates initiative and flexibility to work both independently and as part of a team
Maintains open communication with employees, union representatives, and management to facilitate positive labor relations and a cohesive department culture
Builds and maintains effective relationships with diverse individuals, showing understanding, friendliness, tact, and empathy
Ensures compliance with organizational policies, collective bargaining agreements, and labor laws through detailed review and supervision
Demonstrates the ability to analyze labor market trends, historical negotiation outcomes, and workforce data to inform strategic decisions
Benefits
Transportation : City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Generous retirement savings options are available
Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Company
City of Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the fifth-most-populous city in the United States.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
A
Alan Burstein
Chief Surveyor
A
Alba Collazo-Irwin
Chief Deputy
Recent News
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