Labor Relations Director

DescriptionSeize the opportunity to lead impactful labor relations, while enjoying the dynamic and vibrant lifestyle of Silicon Valley! The County of Santa Clara is seeking an experienced Labor Relations Director/Chief Negotiator (Classification: Labor Relations Director). This Director will lead the Labor Relations Department’s 28 full-time staff, negotiate contracts with 17 labor unions that represent the County’s approximately 23,000 employees, and oversee a $7.2 million budget. The ideal candidate will have an extensive background in California public sector labor negotiations, preferably including substantial experience representing management interests. They will have a strong understanding of the techniques of public sector collective bargaining under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA), with a focus on advancing labor relations strategies and improving collective bargaining processes. This Director will be a diplomatic, decisive, and resolution-focused leader, excelling in communication, change management, and stakeholder engagement. This role offers a significant opportunity to advance processes and efficiency, drive organizational progress, and contribute to making the County of Santa Clara a desirable place to work. Drive a transformative vision for labor relations in an innovative environment – apply today!View the full recruitment brochure here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/a26493f6-6b57-411c-bc5f-a61ffcde4df5HOW TO APPLY For first consideration, apply by December 5 th at : https://wbcpinc.com/job-board/Secure The Dates• Round one virtual interviews will take place on January 6 th . Finalists will move forward to round two in-person interviews on January 17 th . C andidates invited to interview must be available for both days.QUESTIONS? Please contact your recruiter, Lauren Gerson, with any inquiries:• lauren@wbcpinc.com• 866-929-WBCP (9227) toll free• 541-664-0376 (direct)STAY UP-TO-DATE ON OUR LATEST EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP RECRUITMENTSSubscribe to our Executive Leadership Careers Newsletter! Click hereOr Follow Us OnInstagram Instagram.com/SCCExecRecruitmentFacebook facebook.com/SCCExecRecruitTypical Tasks• Plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates employee and labor relations functions and recommends the development, revision, and implementation of employee/labor relations policies, programs, and methods of service delivery to the Employee Services Agency Director or designee;• Develops and directs the implementation of short and long-term goals and objectives; evaluates and implements changes in work methods and standards, and establishes measures of effectiveness; develops and monitors departmental budget;• Establishes and facilitates cooperative and constructive working relationships with County departments and agencies, labor organizations, community organizations, and groups concerned with personnel practices and employee relations;• Represents the Labor Relations Department in meetings of the Board of Supervisors and in discussions with County department officials;• Oversees Labor Relation’s staff in the representation of the County before the Personnel Board, and in discussions with employee organizations, public and private agencies and community organizations, conferences, and workshops;• Serves as the County's Chief Negotiator in matters relating to labor relations and the collective bargaining process and formulates management strategies for County labor negotiations;• Manages grievance processes, investigations of employee complaints and concerns, disciplinary hearings and procedures, leaves administration, and performance management; works with representatives of employee organizations and meets with County managers and supervisors to resolve problems;• Interprets, applies, and ensures compliance with laws, regulations, rules, and policies; and coordinates with employee health and welfare programs, policies and regulations, including retirement and employee benefits, working in close partnership with the Office of the County Counsel;• Keeps current on new trends, best practices, court cases, and legislation in the labor relations and compensation fields, with particular expertise and emphasis on public sector labor relations matters; drafts, reviews, and analyzes existing and proposed codes, rules, and ordinances affecting areas of specialty, and recommends and implements changes as needed;• Advises and trains department heads, managers, and supervisors on labor relations issues, policies, interpretation of various rules and agreements, disciplinary actions, grievances, employee coaching, counseling, performance monitoring and evaluation, employment laws, and policies.• Oversees Labor Relation’s staff in the preparation for and participation in arbitrations and impasse procedures such as mediations and fact-findings;• Directs the preparation and analysis of reports and studies to provide appropriate cost analyses;• Selects, hires, coaches, counsels, and disciplines staff and makes other employment decisions;• Plans, organizes, evaluates, coordinates, and directs the work of labor relations professionals and technical staff, and prepares and delivers performance evaluations for direct reports;• Directs and oversees special studies and projects;• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;• Performs other related duties as assigned.Employment StandardsConsiderable training, education and experience which would demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks and the possession of the following knowledge and abilities.Note: The required knowledge and abilities would typically be acquired through education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field and four (4) years managerial and administrative experience directing labor relations programs and dealing with a wide variety of complex issues for a large and diverse public organization.Knowledge Of• Theories, principles, and practices of employee and labor relations; labor law and other laws and regulations applicable to collective bargaining, labor negotiations, arbitration, and labor contract administration in the public and/or private sectors, including federal and state labor legislation applicable to local government;• Standard principles of collective bargaining, including representation rights, management rights, unfair labor practices, scope of bargaining, and impasse procedures;• Negotiation techniques and dispute resolution principles and practices, including grievance resolution, mediation, arbitration, and fact finding;• Current trends and practices in employer-employee relations, including recent court decisions, legislation, and new developments and approaches;• Public sector collective bargaining principles, employee representation rights, and management rights;• Functional responsibilities of a labor and/or employee relations department;• Principles of organization and management applicable to local government;• Leaves management processes and practices;• Salary administration and modern methods of setting salary and other compensation; research methodology, report writing, and basic statistics;• Principles and methods of public administration, organizational development, management analysis, and personnel, fiscal, and program management, and administrative problem solving;• Federal, State, and local employment rules and regulations on public employment and labor relations administration;• Principles and techniques of employee management, supervision, training, and development;• Community and agency consultation methods and procedures.Ability To• Plan, direct, administer, manage, and evaluate employee and labor relations programs and functions;• Establish and maintain effective working relationships;• Lead negotiations and facilitate dispute resolution;• Understand, interpret, apply, and explain memoranda of agreements, labor laws, County ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies related to employee and labor relations;• Analyze situations, select alternatives, and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations;• Work effectively under very stressful situations involving confrontation and conflict;• Communicate effectively orally, demonstrating skill to present findings, recommendations and policies before public officials, other officials, employees, and employee representatives;• Communicate effectively in writing, including the preparation of clear and concise reports;• Take initiative, reason logically, and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas;• Plan, organize, control, and evaluate labor relations services and leaves management programs, processes, and practices;• Oversee and/or conduct investigations and train staff on effective investigative techniques;• Supervise staff performing management, administrative, and organizational analyses or employee/labor relations work and coordination of labor contract negotiations with recognized employee organizations on an organizational-wide basis;• Recognize, identify, and resolve conflicts or problems of a sensitive or political nature;• Supervise and coordinate resources and activities.• Train, develop, and motivate staff; plan and assign workloads clearly and effectively;• Communicate and interact effectively with a variety of government and community officials, at all levels, and with individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences;• Consult with and advise departments on activities and status of projects;• Manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure;• Make public presentations to small or large groups within and outside of County government;• Develop short- and long-range budget plans that accurately reflect department/organizational needs.