Director of Labor Relations (or Assistant General Counsel for Labor Relations)

Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Department: 80200 – Govt Relations
Admin

Advertised Salary: $130,000-$140,000. Salary commensurate with education, experiences and other
requirements.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following
link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit
Plans

FLSA: Exempt

Temporary/Continuing:
Continuing

Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time

Union Group: N/A

Term of
Position: 12 Month

At Will/Just Cause: At Will

Summary of Position

The
Director of Labor Relations leads the university’s strategy regarding unionized employees, acting as the primary negotiator and liaison with
labor unions. They are responsible for collective bargaining, administering labor contracts, managing grievances, ensuring compliance with
labor laws (e.g., state laws), and maintaining positive labor-management partnerships.

Position Type:
Staff

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in labor relations,
human resources, business, or a related field.

Required Work Experience

Five years professional work
experience in the field of labor relations.

Must have experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements as the chief/assistant
spokesperson and preparing for arbitrations.

Must have demonstrated interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution
skills.

Physical Demands

• Office Environment
• Moving
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Repetitive movement

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered

Master’s
degree or Juris Doctorate or equivalent.

Professional work experience in education and/or public sector.

Essential
Duties/Responsibilities

Administer the University’s collective bargaining agreements.

Acts as the chief negotiator
for collective bargaining, interpreting and applying labor contracts to daily operations.

Advise and counsel department
administrators on procedures for addressing disciplinary issues.

Conduct or assist in conducting grievance hearings and attempt to
resolve grievances.

Interpret contract language and the results of grievance arbitrations for administration.

Represent or
assist in representing the University in grievance arbitration cases.

Work with CHRO on labor issues related to benefits, policies,
and other matters.

Assist General Counsel as needed in preparing for arbitration.

Conduct labor relations training programs
for supervisors.

Negotiate or assist in negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

Represent or assist in representing the
University in hearings before Referees of the Michigan Employment Security Commission.

Research, collect, analyze, and prepare
information for negotiations, grievance arbitration, and fact-finding.

Work closely with departmental administration and labor unions
to find mutually acceptable solutions to issues.

Establish and maintain open communication with the various bargaining
groups.

Advise management on various labor relations issues.

Assist, as requested, on faculty labor relations
issues.

Respond to union information requests (PERA, etc.)

Investigate and respond to, or assist in responding to,
grievances.

Reports directly to the General Counsel.

Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated
information.

Works in a liaison capacity with the various employee groups, and in partnership with the CHRO on labor relations as
they apply to employment and benefit issues.

Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates
individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.

Support, promote, and
develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.

Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Marginal Duties/Responsibilities

Serve on various University committees as requested

Skills
and Abilities

Expertise in collective bargaining, handling grievances, and negotiating with labor unions.
Labor Law
Compliance: Thorough understanding of federal and state labor laws, regulations, and guidelines, such as the National Labor Relations Act
(NLRA).
Conflict Resolution and Mediation: Ability to handle complex, emotionally charged disputes and mediate grievances
effectively.
Strategic Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills to articulate policies, manage internal communications, and
build trust with stakeholders, including union leaders, employees, and management.
Demonstrated successful experience working directly
with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.
Excellent communication and
problem-solving skills

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript
  1

Special Instructions to Applicants

Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of an
unofficial transcript of Bachelor’s degree.

Transcript must include: Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained and
degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY: Applications should include a
letter of interest and curriculum vitae. All applicants must also complete a full application on the Ferris website at Director
of Labor Relations (or Assistant General Counsel for Labor Relations). Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position
is filled. Confidential review of materials and screening of candidates will begin immediately. Harris Search Associates is assisting Ferris
State University for this search. Please contact Eric Christ, Senior Consultant (eric@HarrisSearch.com, cell: 614-800-9974) for further details. Phone:
614-798-8500

Initial Application Review Date: April 6, 2026

Open Until Position is Filled?:
Yes

EEO Statement

Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to
enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking
careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the
Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University
actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more
information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.

Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.

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