Job Details

Director, Academic Labor & Employee Relations

Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Vice President & Provost
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Director, Academic Labor and Employee Relations provides strategic and operational leadership to the Academic Labor & Employee Relations (ALER) section in the Provost’s Office. The ALER section will plan, negotiate, and administer labor contracts for ISU’s academic bargaining units; ISU currently has four academic bargaining units covering approximately 685 Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty, 550 instructional and clinical Non-Tenure Track Faculty, 125 Lab School employees, and 450 Graduate Teaching Assistants. In addition to management and oversight of academic labor contracts, the ALER section will consult with supervisory staff regarding performance issues for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty, Non-Tenure Track Faculty, Faculty Associates at the University’s laboratory schools, and Graduate Assistants.

The duties performed in this role are professional, sensitive, and related to public relations. Exceptional judgment is required for union contract negotiations, grievance administration, and discipline. The successful candidate must be able to shift priorities quickly and be comfortable with ambiguity. Problem resolution, research/ investigation, analytical, and persuasive skills are vital in this role.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$135,000 - $155,000

Required Qualifications

1. Advanced degree (J.D. included).
2. Experience working in a labor relations environment.
3. Experience serving as a chief spokesperson in union negotiations.
4. Experience administering collective bargaining agreements, including contract interpretation and grievance processing.
5. Experience administering performance management, including coaching and counseling supervisors on discipline steps up to and including the termination/discharge process.
6. Demonstrated ability to address sensitive issues with integrity and in an unbiased and effective manner.
7. Must reflect the collegiality, competence, and professionalism of a senior administrator in the Division of Academic Affairs.
8. Must be capable of consistently exercising professional judgment that represents the mission, values and priorities of the University and the Office of the Provost.
9. Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.
10. Demonstrated experience organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data and a strong attention to detail.
11. Demonstrated experience effectively managing multiple priorities and constant interruptions on a daily basis and shifting priorities as problems arise.
12. Must have the ability to meet deadlines, work independently, demonstrate initiative, and self-identify the tasks and workflow necessary to accomplish broader objectives.
13. Must have the ability to use Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and have adequate keyboarding skills to allow for the efficient creation of work product

Preferred Qualifications

1. A record of accomplishment as a scholar or teacher at an accredited University with a doctoral degree or other terminal degree appropriate for the individual’s academic discipline.
2. Leadership experience in academic administration (e.g., Chair, Director, Assistant/Associate Dean, or Dean).
3. Knowledge of academic collective bargaining agreements, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA)/the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB), and current trends in labor relations.
4. Experience in higher education human resources.
5. Experience in higher education labor relations.
6. Experience conducting compensation analysis.

Work Hours

A fast-paced, productive office environment where work demands may extend beyond traditional hours of operation. The core work hours of this position are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

April 1, 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume / C.V.
Cover Letter
Reference List
Writing Sample - Please provide a writing sample from a labor or employee relations capacity, such as a grievance response or letter. Sensitive information can be redacted.

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Applicant must possess an Advanced degree (J.D. included) at the time of application.

University Benefit Highlights:

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Contact Information for Applicants

Meghan Lugo
mmlugo1@ilstu.edu

Company

Illinois State University, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. Illinois State is a co-educational, residential university committed to fostering a small-college atmosphere with large-university opportunities and promoting the highest academic standards in teaching, scholarship, and community service. Serving more than 20,000 students, our six colleges offer 174 undergraduate majors, 97 master’s programs, 17 doctoral degrees, and 40 certificate options. We have repeatedly been named a “Great Place to Work” by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Illinois State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our mission.

Illinois State University is in the Central Illinois community of Bloomington and Normal, with a combined population of approximately 132,000, and conveniently located approximately two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis. The community is home to GROWMARK, Illinois Farm Bureau, State Farm Insurance International Headquarters, Rivian Motors, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Heartland Community College. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and educational attainment, parks and recreation, health care, job growth, economic opportunity, and low crime. Please visit the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.visitbn.org and Bloomington-Normal Advantage as www.bnadvantage.com for more information.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Company info
Website: http://www.ilstu.edu/

Position Type: Administrative, Academic Affairs, Academic Administration
Employment Level: Senior-Level
Employment Type: Full Time
Institution Type: Public Four-Year Institutions