Assistant Director, Labor Relations
Special Instructions to Applicants
Priority consideration will be given to active UC employees from any UC location or UCLA preferential rehires. External applicants may be considered if the applicant pool is not sufficient.
- The budgeted salary range for this position is: $128,500-$217,000.
- Occasional travel is required.
- This is a hybrid position. The selected candidate will be expected to commute to UCLA and work on campus at least 2-3 days per month.
- A cover letter is required.
- A writing sample will be requested if the candidate is invited for an interview.
Reporting to the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Campus Human Resources (CHR), the Assistant Director of Labor Relations serves as a senior labor relations leader, advancing the University's strategic labor agenda and ensuring effective, legally compliant labor-management practices across the campus. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and authority, functioning as a key advisor to senior leadership and representing the University in complex, high-impact labor matters. The Assistant Director provides executive-level oversight of labor relations programs, including serving as the University's Chief Negotiator for campus-specific collective bargaining, leading labor arbitrations, administrative hearings, and proceedings before the California Public Employment Relations Board. The incumbent develops and implements negotiation strategies, evaluates institutional risk, and influences outcomes that have broad organizational, financial, and operational implications. This position directs and develops a team of Labor Relations Advocates-highly specialized professionals, often licensed attorneys-ensuring the effective administration of multiple collective bargaining agreements and alignment with institutional priorities. The Assistant Director establishes strategic priorities for the unit, allocates resources, and ensures consistent, high-quality service delivery across campus. As a trusted advisor, the Assistant Director partners with senior campus leadership, HR executives, and systemwide stakeholders to address complex employee and labor relations issues, shape policy development, and drive organizational effectiveness. The role requires advanced expertise in labor law, contract interpretation, and dispute resolution, as well as the ability to lead sensitive negotiations and influence decision-making at the highest levels. The Assistant Director also plays a critical role in shaping labor relations strategy, contributing to systemwide initiatives, representing the Director in executive forums, and leading training and organizational development efforts to strengthen management capability and mitigate institutional risk. The Assistant Director leads the University's strike preparedness and response efforts, working in close partnership with the Director and key campus and systemwide stakeholders to plan for and manage major work stoppages. This includes coordinating and staffing the Emergency Operations Center, directing response activities, and providing timely briefings and strategic guidance to the University's most senior leaders. The Assistant Director also actively manages outside counsel retained to represent UCLA in labor arbitrations or hearings before PERB.
Department Summary
Campus Human Resources provides a full range of human resource management services through its various units, including Benefits, Compensation and Classification, Employee and Labor Relations, HR & Payroll Operations Center, Learning and Organizational Development, Staff and Faculty Counseling Center, and Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning. CHR’s Employee & Labor Relations (ELR) unit works to enhance the relationship between the University and Campus employees by providing direction and guidance on unions, policies, agreements, and more. ELR works closely with managers and supervisors across campus to ensure that the correct application of policies, procedures, and laws is being used to manage UCLA’s diverse and dynamic workforce. Through various forms of intervention, ELR offers balanced advocacy to management and individual employees to protect their respective rights and facilitate a more harmonious work environment.
Position Summary
UCLA, Campus Human Resources, is seeking an Assistant Director of Labor Relations to lead the Labor Relations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to one of the world's leading public research universities and make a meaningful impact in higher education.
Salary & Compensation
*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications
- At least five years of litigation experience regarding labor and employment matters. (Required)
- Advanced knowledge of public sector labor and employment law, including HEERA, NLRA, California Labor Code, FLSA, and related statutes, as well as current legal trends and their application within a higher education environment. (Required)
- Expert knowledge of administrative processes and regulatory frameworks, including California Public Employment Relations Board procedures, unfair labor practice charges, and representation matters. (Required)
- Demonstrated expertise in collective bargaining and contract administration, including interpreting complex agreements, advising on scope of bargaining, and developing negotiation strategies aligned with institutional priorities. (Required)
- Extensive experience serving as a management advocate in high-stakes labor matters, including grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and negotiations, with demonstrated ability to develop legal strategies, examine witnesses, and present persuasive arguments. (Required)
- Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex labor relations issues, evaluate risk, interpret data and precedent, and develop strategic, legally sound solutions. (Required)
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, and persuasive legal documents (e.g., briefs, motions, grievance responses, settlement agreements) and deliver effective presentations to diverse audiences, including senior leadership. (Required)
- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to manage, mentor, and develop high-level professional staff; set priorities; allocate resources; and ensure accountability and performance outcomes. (Required)
- High-level consultation and advisory skills, with the ability to influence and guide senior leaders, managers, and stakeholders on complex and sensitive employee and labor relations matters. (Required)
- Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and lead dispute resolution efforts, including mediation of complex workplace issues and facilitating outcomes that balance legal compliance with organizational effectiveness. (Required)
- Strong organizational and operational management skills, including the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple high-risk matters simultaneously, and respond effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. (Required)
- Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information with discretion, sound judgment, and integrity, particularly in the context of labor relations strategy and collective bargaining. (Required)
- Ability to lead complex, high-impact initiatives and critical response efforts, including labor negotiations, organizational change, and strike preparedness/response, while collaborating effectively with campus and systemwide stakeholders. (Required)
Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Required)
- Juris Doctor (JD) Degree from an accredited American Bar Association (ABA) institution. (Preferred)
- Admitted to practice law in California or another U.S. jurisdiction. (Preferred)
Special Conditions for Employment
- Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
- Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
- CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".
Schedule
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Union/Policy Covered
99-Policy Covered
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