Assistant Director, Labor Relations

Description

• Provide the direction and interpretation to Senior Management and all Departments of the current Labor Agreements and/or work practices, terms, and conditions.
• Manage the grievance and disciplinary appeal process for assigned unions, including researching and drafting decisions, pursuant to the controlling agreements.
• Prepare briefs and develop litigation strategies to successfully represent Metro-North in grievance and disciplinary arbitrations.
• Supervise the Labor Relations Staff in the administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreements, which includes the grievance, discipline, and arbitration processes.  Provide direction, oversight, and guidance to ensure team and individual objectives are achieved and efforts are aligned with organizational and departmental goals.
• Assist in formulating the Labor Relations Department Strategy and long-term plan for collective bargaining. Assist in preparing Metro-North proposals for collective bargaining, mediation, and statutory processes. Represent Metro-North as the Labor Relations Professional during Collective Bargaining in the absence of Senior Leadership.
• Represent Labor Relations at inter-agency meetings and provide guidance to the CLT and ELT in the absence of the Director and/or Deputy Director.
• Oversee Labor Relations Department special projects.
• Select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Other duties as assigned.

• In-depth knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements and their application as they apply to corporate policy and procedures.
• Familiarity with drafting and preparation of Contracts and Proposals.
• Must have excellent written, verbal communication and arbitration presentation skills. 
• In-depth conflict resolution skills to reach satisfactory resolutions of Labor Relations problems.
• In-depth knowledge of the arbitration process, trial and/or hearing procedures.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and planning skills. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with all levels in the Company and outside union officials.
• Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with adherence to deadlines.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and/or comparable applications.

• Bachelor’s degree in labor or industrial relations or related major.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in Labor Contract Administration which includes arbitration, collective bargaining analysis and dispute resolution.
• Law Degree, with four (4) years related experience may substitute for the above require experience.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience managing a diverse staff or process.

• Juris Doctorate.
• Familiarity with Metro-North Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Training and/or certification in Collective Bargaining, Arbitration or Dispute Resolution.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.

• May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.