Position Title: Director of Employee Relations & Engagement

Employee Classification: Dir,Employee & Labor Relations

College/Division: Administration and Finance

Department: 510100-OFFICE OF PEOPLE RELATIONS

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  $77,235 - $84,958; To commensurate with qualifications

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  New Mexico State University is seeking a collaborative leader to guide employee and labor relations across campus. This role provides strategic consultation to departments, oversees workplace investigations and performance management, and serves as the primary resource for collective bargaining agreements.

If you are skilled in conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and building an engaged workplace culture, we invite you to apply and help shape the employee experience at NMSU.

Classification Summary:
The Director, Employee & Labor Relations (Dir. People Relations) provides leadership, direction and strategic management for the Office of People Relations. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Human Resource Services (AVP-HRS) and serves on the AVP-HRS leadership team, the Director provides accurate, responsive and efficient HR consultation on employee matters to the university departments. Serves as consultant on the following areas, which include but are not limited to, dispute resolution/mediation communication, bargaining unit contract negotiation/interpretation, and policy development/interpretation. Position is also responsible for providing oversight of university disciplinary process including performance management and provide ongoing development and training for New Mexico State University managers, supervisors and employees, including faculty employee relations matters.

Classification Standard Duties:
Oversees the day-to-day management of the operations and programs administered in the Employee & Labor Relations office (Office of People Relations). Provides individual and/or group advice, guidance, professional support with respect to interpretation and application of employee relations and associated policies, practices, and procedures. Responds to and coordinates resolution of policy-related inquiries from department constituencies or employees. Participates and/or provides leadership and consultation in Human Resources and interdepartmental employee-related investigations; assists in the review of legal cases as requested by University Counsel. Provides assistance, advice and guidance to employees under the provisions of University policy; provides or coordinates provision of a range of work-related dispute resolution services as required, to include mediation, negotiation, and/or formal arbitration. Identifies training needs, and plans, develops, and delivers informal training to University management and/or employees on a variety of labor relations, employee relations, and associated topics.The Director interprets and provides advice and guidance regarding the terms of the university's collective bargaining agreements to ensure University-wide administrative compliance. Participates in labor negotiations during the collective bargaining process; assists in the development and implementation of collective bargaining parameters, guidelines, and procedures on behalf of the University. Provides direct liaison and assistance as appropriate in the resolution of individual workplace disputes. Reviews and advises as appropriate on employee suspensions, demotions, layoffs, and discharges to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, policies, procedures, and acceptable management practices. Supervises personnel which typically includes recommendations for hiring, firing, performance evaluation, training, work allocation, and problem resolution. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience:Five (5) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency:None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge and understanding of federal and state employment and labor laws, regulations, procedures, and standards. Knowledge of administrative and adversarial hearing procedures and processes. Knowledge of formal and informal dispute resolution methodology, procedures, and techniques.; SKILLS:Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Program planning and implementation skills. Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures. Excellent communication and professional leadership skills. Investigative and problem solving skills. Employee development and performance management skills.; ABILITIES:Ability to design and implement systems necessary to collect, maintain, and analyze data. Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments. Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Director of Employee Relations and Engagement Provides leadership, direction and strategic management for People Relations and NMSU Human Resources leading the creation and sustaining of an employee-centric work environment . Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources, the Director provides accurate, responsive and efficient consultation of employee and labor relations matters to the university departments. The position serves as primary point of contact and consultant for matters pertaining to the three bargaining unit contracts, providing interpretation of collective bargaining agreements and coordination of grievances; provides oversight of university's disciplinary process, performance management, conflict of interest, unemployment claims, involuntary separations, workplace investigations, employee and labor relations related training, and appeals/grievances for all faculty, staff and student employees; provides data to leadership related to case trends, statistics on performance evaluations, employee engagement, and other employee matters; helps to oversee and mediate employee relations matters effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Bill Dial, bdial@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.