Deputy Director of Labor Relations

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Labor builds partnerships between management and the labor organizations representing City employees. The department also oversees matters related to the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and workplace anti-harassment policies, FMLA, ADA, and other EEO areas. As the City’s main point of contact for the labor community, we:

• Handle negotiations between City unions and City management.
• Respond to unfair labor practice charges filed against the City.
• Investigate complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination from any City employees, applicants, former employees, or members of the public.
• Represent the City in union disputes.
• Make sure employers with City contracts pay prevailing wages.
• Resolve minimum-wage waiver requests.
• Administer and enforce the City’s worker protection laws.

The Department of Labor includes the Office of Employee Relations, the Office of Labor Relations, the Office of Worker Protections, the Office of Labor Standards, and the Living Wage Working Group.

Position Summary

The Deputy Director of Labor Relations is a member of the Office of Employee and Labor Relations (OELR) executive leadership team and leads the Labor Relations Unit (LRU). 

The role involves expert application of labor laws, municipal union contracts, and federal employment law to guide City leadership in fostering positive labor-management relationships, ensuring operational efficiency, and promoting an effective and collaborative workplace culture. This position also includes direct involvement in contract negotiations, labor relations training, and developing initiatives to enhance labor relations practices citywide. An employee in this position provides strategic and technical consultation and guidance to City leaders on contract interpretation and implementation, as well as corrective action support.

This role directs the work of LRU team members and has frequent communication with and advises senior level officials on labor management best practices.

Work is performed under the direction of the Department of Labor’s First Deputy Director, who is also Director of OELR.

Essential Functions

• Directs and manages the grievance and arbitrations process for the LRU and provides expert testimony at arbitrations and interest arbitration hearings.  
• Applies knowledge of the contracts, Pennsylvania public labor laws, and federal employment law in daily work providing counseling and guidance to City leadership.
• Conducts supervisory training and advanced labor management training and specialized or department-tailored labor relations training.
• The Deputy Director is responsible for fostering a positive labor-management relationship, ensuring effective onboarding processes for new employees, and maintaining operational efficiency.
• Provides strong initiative and a comprehensive understanding of various union contracts, their history, and the local labor environment to those internal and external to Department of Labor.
• Provides strategic and technical consultation and guidance to City leaders on contract interpretation and implementation, as well as corrective action support.
• Directs the work of LRU team members. 
• Frequently communicates with and advises senior level officials, exerting influence on the labor management relationship City-wide and all other duties as assigned.
• Act as a key member of the City’s bargaining team during contract negotiations.
• Draft and evaluate contract language proposals and administrative documents.
• Collaborate with team members to analyze and interpret collective bargaining agreements, maintaining comprehensive knowledge of their history and implications.
• Counsel and guide City leadership on labor relations matters, ensuring adherence to Pennsylvania public labor laws, municipal union contracts, and federal employment law.
• Advise managers throughout the City government on labor management issues or employee relations matters.
• Advise Senior Administration Officials with respect to labor strategy and high-profile labor management or employee relation issues.
• Supervise staff members who conduct grievance hearings for municipal union members and review their subsequent reports.
• Conduct training sessions on Labor Relations and related training for supervisors and managers.
• Work with OELR’s Director to develop labor and employee relations policies, strategies, and initiatives; meet with Managers to identify problem areas and make recommendations to address those areas of concern.
• Provide testimony as needed at interest and grievance arbitrations and unfair labor practice hearings.
• Serve on City’s negotiation teams that bargain with the municipal unions for successor agreements.
• Meet frequently with Law Department and outside attorneys in preparation for legal proceedings against the City.
• Field requests from Union officials regarding various actions/policies taken by departments to determine compliance with collective bargaining agreements. Mediate disputes or concerns within departments.
• Monitor and analyze workload demands across the LRU, ensuring effective distribution of tasks and prioritizing essential projects to maintain productivity.
• Step in to manage or complete tasks in cases of short-staffing, high workload, or unforeseen absences, supporting the team in meeting deadlines and quality standards.
• Assume accountability for the LRU’s output, ensuring the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of all reports, agreements, and labor-related documentation.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Advanced knowledge of Pennsylvania labor laws and federal employment law.
• Comprehensive understanding of collective bargaining processes, labor contracts, and relevant labor laws.
• Familiarity with, Microsoft Office and database management systems used in case management.
• Knowledge of data organization, storage, retrieval, security, and integrity protocols for electronic record-keeping.
• Proficient in conducting legal research and applying findings to labor relations strategies.
• Deep understanding of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations and compliance requirements.
• Expertise in arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution processes under labor laws.
• Strong understanding of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), ADA, FLSA, and other relevant federal statutes.

Skills:

• Strong analytical skills for interpreting complex union agreements and historical labor data.
• Proficient in conflict resolution, negotiation, and managing labor-management interactions.
• Strong organizational leadership skills for motivating and managing staff, setting goals, and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication and writing skills for effectively expressing information to individuals or groups.
• Proficiency in developing and conducting labor relations training programs.
• Adept at developing and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) related to labor relations.
• Experienced in creating labor relations strategies that align with organizational goals and compliance requirements.
• Ability to identify systemic issues within labor relations and recommend sustainable solutions.

Abilities:

• Demonstrates initiative and flexibility to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Maintains open communication with employees, union representatives, and management to facilitate positive labor relations and a cohesive department culture.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with diverse individuals, showing understanding, friendliness, tact, and empathy.
• Ensures compliance with organizational policies, collective bargaining agreements, and labor laws through detailed review and supervision.
• Demonstrates the ability to analyze labor market trends, historical negotiation outcomes, and workforce data to inform strategic decisions.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, Human Resources, or related field. 

At least six years of progressively-increasing responsibility, in labor relations, human resources, collective bargaining, contract negotiations or grievance resolutions, with at least two years of which was in a management-level position.

We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, references.

Salary: $125,000 

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx