ED, Labor Relations

Job Summary:
*This position provides executive oversight and strategic direction for the coordination, negotiation, administration, and implementation of collective bargaining agreements for across the market.
*May serve as chief negotiator for the assigned market in key negotiations in the market(s), or direct the team responsible for the negotiations.
*The position collaborates closely with assigned market operational leaders, including hospital, home health/continuum, and medical group operations leadership to achieve organization objectives.
*This position provides strategic labor relations expertise and guidance to the most senior executives in assigned Market as well as within Program Office. Leadership is provided to operations management and human resource consultants across the region, and assists in ensuring that the department business initiatives, strategies and objectives are achieved. In addition, provides leadership and expert consultation on the design, development, and implementation of programs related to the area of union expertise. Conducts research, plans negotiations, establishes objectives and manages the development of appropriate strategies and tactics to achieve cost effective and competitive labor agreements.
* This position will manage all labor relations staff in assigned Market with hard operational results to be achieved with union agreements.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Serves as chief negotiator in the conduct of collective bargaining negotiations for designated unions. Negotiates all components of the collective bargaining agreements on good faith for represented sites with appropriate union officials, ensuring that an agreement between both parties is reached. Develops proposals and counter proposals for negotiation and provides leadership and consultation to management stakeholders serving on the bargaining team.
• Oversees strategic and operational efforts to achieve and maintain effective labor-management relations
• Assumes key leadership role in shaping and executing Kaiser Permanentes Labor Relations philosophy, visions and goals.
• Analyzes Kaiser Permanente business needs, anticipates potential barriers, and successfully navigates implementation to a successful outcome. Develops the collective bargaining strategy for operations with union representation, in collaboration with operations management to support overall business objectives. Participates as an active member in ongoing forums as assigned (ie: LMP Oversight Committee, Negotiations Teams) to provide consultation, direction, information, and expertise.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of strategic planning for all activities related to the Labor Relations department. Participates in the development and management of the department operating and capital budget planning process.
• Counsels senior leadership regarding the interpretation and application of the collective bargaining agreement as well as the intent, application, and compliance requirements of labor and regulatory laws. Represents Kaiser Permanente in grievance or mediation hearings.
• Monitors changes in local, state and federal regulations and revises and updates company policies to reflect the current legislation.
• Evaluates grievances and other local conflicts resulting from the labor agreements to determine if contractual violations have occurred and implement appropriate remedies to grieving parties.
• Ensures that labor relations plans are implemented, as agreed with local management, to mitigate the potential negative impact of any issues on continued operations.
• Develops and implements early warning systems to identify labor relations issues that may escalate beyond the local level.
• Is the key strategist relating to all labor and union activity. Develops plans and approaches for all campaign efforts.
• Develops Labor Relations training programs, systems, tools and resources, incorporating best practices, to serve as resources to the medical centers and to support the creation of alignment, consistency and accountability in the management of labor issues.
• Develops sustainable relationships with senior management in order to facilitate effective dialogue to address and resolve issues and proactively implements effective workplace practices.
• Builds relationships with key labor organizations in the assigned Market, including relationships with various national and/or local labor union organizations and their key representatives, to create a positive platform to address issues as they arise and builds future positive relationships by obtaining input on a proactive basis.

Basic Qualifications:Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive employee/labor relations experience in a complex union environment.

Education

• Bachelors degree in human resources, business administration, or other related field

License, Certification, Registration

• N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrate a successful track record in increasingly responsible roles which includes chief spokesperson in a bargaining setting
• Extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal law as well as pertinent court decisions in the area of labor relations and employment law
• Ability to manage complex situations to arrive at an agreement/settlement acceptable to the parties involved
• Manages resources necessary to complete assignments and demonstrates excellent organizational skills
• Excellent communication, presentation, labor relations and consulting skills
• Excellent training skills
• Outstanding analytical skills
• Ability to work with teams in a labor management partnership, as well as a traditional union/management environment
• Strong knowledge of labor compensation and benefit practices
• Demonstrated ability to lead professionals and manage others through influence and collaboration
• Proficient with standard business applications (ie: Microsoft tools)
• Excellent relationship development skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Motivated, business-oriented professional who is customer-focused and can successfully interact with union and non- union management teams
• Holds strategic leadership skills and who is well-versed in labor relations and employment law

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree or Juris Doctor degree preferred
• Five (5) + years of senior negotiator experience in a heath care union environment preferred
• SPHR certified preferred
• Excellent communication, presentation, labor relations and consulting skills, preferably in a healthcare setting