Vice President of Labor Relations

Founded in 1919, The New School is a major urban university consisting of five schools and colleges united by a common mission: to inspire and prepare over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students to make a positive impact on the world. The university hosts some of the nation's most esteemed programs in their respective fields, comprising Parsons School of Design, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, The New School for Social Research, the Schools of Public Engagement, and the College of Performing Arts, which includes three renowned schools: Mannes School of Music, the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and the School of Drama. 

At the core of The New School's excellence is its exceptional and diverse faculty. The university remains committed to attracting and retaining high-quality faculty members, which includes Pulitzer Prize and GRAMMY winners, MacArthur Genius Grant recipients, and esteemed awardees of Guggenheim and Avery Fisher Prizes. The New School is an institution dedicated to intellectual growth, social justice, and academic excellence, where students and faculty collaborate to shape a better world.

To learn more about The New School, go to https: www.newschool.edu

Reporting to the Executive Vice President of Business and Operations & Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President of Labor Relations (VP) will be responsible for planning and managing all labor relations programs in support of the university's commitment to maintaining a positive, productive, supportive workplace for the faculty, students and administrative positions covered under nine collective bargaining agreements. Drawing upon their expertise in labor law and collective bargaining, the VP of Labor Relations will work to develop and support productive and collaborative relationships with each of these unions through the application of the universities labor relations programs and policies and through collective bargaining. 

The VP will also provide guidance and coaching to other senior officers, Human Resources, deans, department managers, and others regarding labor issues at all levels and will provide leadership on the development and application of Human Resources policies, the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, and compliance with applicable labor laws and regulations. 

The successful candidate will be an innovative thinker and leader in the labor relations space, responsible for the nine collective bargaining units on our campus, and building a competent team to manage the day-to-day responsibilities and the negotiation of successor contracts.

RESPONSIBILITIES 
 

Labor Relations Strategy:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive labor relations strategy in alignment with the university's mission and values.

• Collaborate with senior leadership to promote a proactive and constructive approach to labor relations with unions representing part-time faculty, administrative staff, and academic students workers.

• Provide strategy and guidance around potential future organizing campaigns and objectives by labor unions. 

• Keep on top of national labor relations trends, laws and regulations broadly and specifically within higher education. 

Contract Negotiations and arbitration cases:

• Lead negotiations with the labor unions that represent nine groups of faculty, student and staff to ensure fair and mutually beneficial collective bargaining agreements.

• Strategize positions for bargaining in collaboration with appropriate campus leaders and using data analysis and modeling.

• Represent the university in arbitration cases related to collective bargaining or organizing campaigns.

Conflict Resolution:

• Act as a mediator and facilitator in resolving labor disputes and conflicts.

• Implement dispute resolution procedures that foster a harmonious and productive working environment.

Labor Policy Development:

• Collaborate with HR and legal teams to develop and update labor policies, procedures, and practices.

• Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends and best practices in labor relations.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with labor union representatives, university administrators, and other stakeholders.

• Foster an open and transparent dialogue on labor-related matters.

For the purposes of management, performance assessment, and span of control the VP, Labor Relations position directly supervises:

• Senior Director, Labor Relations.

• Assistant Director, Labor Relations. 

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities as deemed necessary.
 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Education: Juris Doctor required.

• Leadership Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution, including at least 8 years in a senior management role. Proven ability to lead complex labor negotiations and advise senior leadership in unionized environments.

• Labor Law Knowledge: In-depth understanding of labor and employment laws and regulations, including those specific to New York State. Demonstrated ability to design and implement labor relations strategies, structures, and work processes in compliance with legal frameworks.

• Organizational Context: Experience in higher education or similarly complex institutions, particularly those with unionized staff and student workers. Demonstrated ability to collaborate across diverse functions and constituencies, including faculty, staff, and administrative leadership.

• Operational Excellence: Success in enhancing labor relations through operational efficiencies, case management tools, and the development of data-driven reporting and analytics. Strong project management and implementation skills.

• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Recognized expertise in mediation, conflict resolution, and developing âœwin-win❠outcomes in high-stakes, high-impact labor discussions.

• Ethical Standards & Professional Integrity: A principled leader with high ethical standards and a strong sense of accountability. Able to work independently, take ownership of responsibilities, and follow through on commitments with discretion and professionalism.

• Organizational Agility & Change Leadership: Adept at navigating fast-paced, evolving, and decentralized work environments. Skilled at managing through change and fostering integration and collaboration across stakeholders.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to foster trust, inspire confidence, and engage effectively at all levels of the organization. Strong critical thinker with pragmatic problem-solving abilities.

WORK MODE

In-Person ⓠEmployees hired for this position will primarily be expected to be present on campus, with periodic and ad-hoc allowances to WFH. In those cases, the VP will exercise judgment in determining when an in-person presence is essential to fulfilling their responsibilities effectively as well as ensuring that their team understands and meets these expectations that align with specific role and University policies. #LI-ONSITE

WHY JOIN US?

This role offers the opportunity to implement some of the most strategic and entrepreneurial initiatives in decades and enhance the education, well-being, and overall experience of our students, faculty, and staff in the present and shape the future. 
 

SALARY RANGE

$180,000 - $230,000 annually