Director-Labor Relations

Brief Job Description

Under general policy direction from the Mayor, the Director of Labor Relations manages:

• all labor and employee relations matters for unionized employees for all city departments, including: collective bargaining with unions and managing obligations from resulting agreements, mediation, arbitration, and fact-finding; providing advice and counsel to managers and human resources personnel; investigating conduct, behavior, and performance issues in coordination with the Office of Human Resources; and representing the city in all labor litigation before arbitrators and in state courts and administrative agencies;
• the daily operations of the Office of Labor Relations, including: budget preparation and implementation, hiring, and reporting; and the legal and administrative staff in the office including: distributing and overseeing work assignments; regularly monitoring performance, providing coaching for performance improvement and development, and taking disciplinary actions to address performance deficiencies, and conduct and/or behavior issues.

Minimum Requirements

• A JD (Juris Doctor) degree from an accredited law school
• A license issued by the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers authorizing the practice of law in Massachusetts, or the ability to obtain licensure within the first six months of incumbency
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in labor law, employment law, collective bargaining negotiation, and/or public administration are required. Experience in a governmental setting or in-house environment is preferred.
• Boston residency required.

Essential Job Duties/Functions

• Managing the daily operations and staff of the Office of Labor Relations, including negotiation of CBAs and performance management of staff
• Developing strategic solutions to evolving issues, integrating solutions with other municipal goals, and implementing solutions
• Performing difficult and complex factual and legal analyses and research
• Presenting proposals and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively in internal and external meetings

• Managing labor and employee relations matters for unionized employees for all city departments
• Directing the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and managing contractual and legal compliance obligations related to CBAs of which the city is a party
• Representing the city on labor relations litigation before arbitrators and in state courts and administrative agencies
• Conducting mediation, arbitration, and fact-finding processes as necessary, including when; investigating conduct, behavior, and performance issues in coordination with the Office of Human Resources
• Providing advice and counsel to managers and human resources and/or OLR personnel related to federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to labor law, employment law, wage and hour laws, and other laws applicable to public employees including but not limited to the state ethics laws and arbitration decisions
• Analyzing, interpreting and explaining proposed legislation and programs in terms of their implications and impacts on City programs, operations and sources of revenue
• Building relationships with internal and external partners
• Exercising seasoned management and political acumen, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with complex, sensitive, and confidential issues

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the Mayor, City Commissioners, department directors, managers, elected and appointed officials of other governmental agencies, city employees, business and community leaders, the media, and city residents encountered in the course of work

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Exercising sound, expert independent judgment
• Performs related duties as required

Send resume to Katie.Myers@boston.gov