Sr. Director, Labor Relations and HR Compliance (Employee and Labor Relations)

Job Details

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

We are seeking a Sr. Director of Labor Relations and HR Compliance to provide leadership for the university’s labor relations and HR compliance functions. This role develops labor strategies that support the university’s mission and serves as a lead negotiator or advisor during collective bargaining. Working closely with the Office of General Counsel and university leadership, the Sr. Director ensures the consistent application of contracts, manages grievance procedures, and provides training to managers on maintaining professional relations with unionized staff. A key priority is building stable, collaborative relationships with union leadership and university stakeholders.

Additionally, the Sr. Director oversees the university’s adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws, including employment eligibility verification. Responsibilities include updating HR policies, managing the annual Affirmative Action Plan, overseeing I-9 compliance, and monitoring legal trends to provide proactive guidance. The role manages a team of HR professionals.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Labor Relations

• Develops and implements labor relations strategies that foster a workplace environment consistent with the values and mission of the university.
• Successfully negotiates collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in partnership with the Office of General Counsel and university stakeholders.
• Oversees labor relations issues involving contract interpretation and union management relations, including administration of collective bargaining agreements and coordination with managers of bargaining unit employees.
• Provides training and guidance to management and employees on labor relations issues, including contract interpretation and grievance procedures.

HR Compliance

• In partnership with HR leadership and internal stakeholders, designs a comprehensive HR compliance framework that prioritizes the modernization of the university’s HR policies. Utilizes data, analysis, strategic thinking, and knowledge of compliance and legal standards, including federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Partners with central HR leadership, HR Directors, the Office of General Counsel, and Risk Management to design, develop, implement, and maintain HR policies in alignment with regulatory requirements and institutional standards across the university workforce.
• Monitors emerging employment law trends and recommends proactive policy and process enhancements.
• Oversees the university’s I-9 employment eligibility verification program, ensuring compliance with federal requirements, maintaining audit-ready documentation, and coordinating with HR teams on proper completion, retention, and re-verification procedures, including administration of the university’s E-Verify program.
• Oversees the annual process for developing JHU’s Affirmative Action Plan, as required by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Leadership and Strategy

• Takes a consultative, solutions-oriented business partner approach to labor relations by building strong relationships with university and union leaders and HR partners.
• Leads and mentors a team of HR professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, service excellence, and continuous learning in labor and employment law.
• Synthesizes complex policy, legal, and labor data and information into high-level briefings for executive leadership, demonstrating the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to non-HR audiences.
• Develops the office budget and maintains oversight of budget and operations for the function.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Ten or more years of Human Resources or related experience with a minimum of five years in a management role.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• JD or Master’s Degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, or related field.
• Five years of experience in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in labor relations, including participation in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Experience working with a unionized workforce and administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing HR policies and compliance programs.
• Experience overseeing regulatory or required workforce training compliance programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of applicable labor laws and regulations.
• Experience overseeing I-9 employment eligibility verification programs and conducting internal audits.
• Familiarity with E-Verify administration and ICE audit procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal and labor issues clearly to executive leadership and non-HR audiences.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with senior leadership and a broad range of stakeholders.
• Ability to compile, research, and analyze information and compose comprehensive reports.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.