HR Consultant, Labor & Employee Relations

Job Summary

The Labor & Employee Relations Consultant provides strategic consultation and expert guidance on labor and employee relations matters, ensuring alignment with the university's goals and legal requirements. This role is vital for shaping labor relations strategies and fostering a collaborative work environment.

As a university committed to academic excellence, faculty development, and fostering strong community connections, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks visionary leaders eager to shape the future of higher education. Explore our available executive positions and learn more about the university’s goals and strategic initiatives.

Why Join Us?

• We are innovators – We push boundaries by spearheading impactful initiatives with a progressive organizational structure and service delivery model.
• We are adaptive – We champion efficiencies and continuous process improvements through initiatives like Operational Excellence.
• We are collaborators – We facilitate input from stakeholders to grow the Illinois Value Proposition.
• We are flexible – We value the whole you and embrace workplace flexibility.
• We are inclusive – Connect with one of our recruiters to learn why you belong in Champaign-Urbana.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Apply HR subject-matter expertise and organizational history to labor and employee relations issues.
  • As assigned, assist in planning, preparation, and presentation of cases before arbitrators and administrative bodies, including disciplinary cases and grievance arbitration cases.
  • Upon request, represent IHR in arbitration and Merit Board discharge proceedings, by serving as the expert witness, alongside University Counsel. Assist in the planning and preparation of cases before arbitrators and administrative bodies.
  • Represent IHR in campus-level committees.
  • Oversee and conduct grievance hearings for assigned university units and contracts. Resolve disputes to the satisfaction of all parties.
• Provide guidance to management on complex or novel issues.
  • Develop and deliver training materials that provide guidance to campus human resources practitioners and supervisors.
  • Consult with and assist departments in the interpretation and application of university and system policies and procedures.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and participate in contract negotiations.
  • Resolve disputes that bind both labor and management to specific terms and conditions of labor contracts.
  • As assigned, serve as chief spokesperson in negotiations for collective bargaining agreements with various unions.
  • Attend labor-management meetings requested by a union to discuss and resolve issues arising under a collective bargaining agreement.
  • Regularly confer with bargaining unit representatives to review labor-management relations. Represent Urbana campus administrative and management viewpoints to union representatives.
• Develop and implement performance management strategies for units.
  • Develop and recommend appropriate corrective action; advise managers on communication approaches, documentation, and dispute resolution.
  • Develop and implement documentation and reporting for administration of labor relations.
• Work with supervisors to recommend and enact disciplinary measures, ensuring consistency with best practices and policies.
  • Consult with and assist departments in the investigation of disciplinary matters, conduct pre-disciplinary meetings, and recommend appropriate disciplinary action.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, law, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree, preferably in human resources, labor relations, law, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience with collective bargaining and/or grievance resolution.
Professional experience in employee relations, including experience advising decision makers on issues related to performance management, policy interpretation and compliance.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 5/9/2025. The budgeted salary for this position is between $70,000 to $80,000.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Amanda S. Plotner ([email protected]). For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.