Our Impact

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

  You will work on-site with some opportunity for hybrid work.

  Responsibilities*

  • As an individual contributor reporting to our three Executive Vice Presidents, the Executive Director of Labor Relations and Special Advisor will provide strategic leadership and coordinate overall labor matters across the university in partnership with the Associate Vice President Human Resources and our three labor relations teams responsible for negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, recognition of new bargaining units, and labor contract administration.
  • With unions representing employees in academic, health care and other operational settings, you will regularly report on and discuss labor strategy and negotiations and other labor activity with university leadership and the Board of Regents and the Associate Vice President Human Resources. Provide input and advice on university decisions affecting or affected by labor relations. 
  • Build collaborative relationships internally with university administration and executive leadership, and inform the Board of Regents, President, EVP's, Chancellors, HR leaders, and other internal and external stakeholders, including union leaders, concerning the status of, and recommended strategies for engaging with unions representing University of Michigan employees. Work with other university offices with whom labor issues may overlap, including general counsel, academic affairs, business and finance, governmental relations, and public affairs.
  • Coordinate through the labor relations teams and Office of General Counsel the provision of sound, practical and timely advice on day-to-day issues cognizant of labor laws, regulations, the "Board Resolution Regarding Employer Neutrality, Cooperative Determination and Recognition of Bargaining Units, and Notification of Agreements", and overarching strategies, including in policy application, communications, interpretation of union contract provisions, jobs actions, processes such as due deduction and pay practices, in grievance and arbitrations, and operational needs impacting labor commitments.
  • You will advise, coordinate, and provide synchronization with labor teams in Staff HR, Academic HR, and Michigan Medicine HR.
  • Educate and advise on Labor-Management/Collective Bargaining concepts

  Required Qualifications*

  • Ten years of relevant work experience within a governmental, public higher education or labor organization, or a similarly complex organization, with progressive leadership responsibilities. Preferably will have broad industry experience in higher education, healthcare and general industry in contract negotiations representing either labor and/or management and developing labor strategy    
  • Ability to influence at the executive level and in a matrix organization to drive change
  • Thorough understanding of the relationship between a major public university and the state and federal regulating, sponsoring and governing bodies as it relates to labor relations, and in-depth knowledge of national and state labor law
  • Comprehensive knowledge of and experience working in collective bargaining agreements, and the approaches to effective process and decision models that result in agreements responsive to employee and organizational needs
  • Experience managing labor relations issues, resolving disputes, and fostering positive labor-management relationships with union officials, elected representatives, organization and operational leaders and staff at all levels
  • An advanced degree in Law, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration or related field

  Modes of Work

  Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

  U-M EEO/AA Statement

  The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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