Program Director Labor Relations

Organization's Summary Statement

This position is responsible for continuing to improve the quality of the working relationship with the labor unions through regular proactive communication between management, the unions representing members of the bargaining units, the UHR Staff Relations consultants, and the University System of Maryland HR office.

This position will work collaboratively with managers and local union leadership to minimize conflicts, solve workplace issues, manage the collective bargaining agreements, and play a key role in labor negotiations at the local level and in the consolidated bargaining process at the University System of Maryland level.

• Works with UHR Staff Relations consultants to provide interpretation of labor contracts to managers, employees, and other HR staff.
• EXAMPLES OF WORK: Advises managers and employees on sensitive labor relations matters.
• Provides information, advice and assistance to departmental Human Resources managers and staff regarding application of statutes, regulations, bargaining agreements and labor relations practices relating to their functional areas.
• Facilitates on-going communication and working relationships with unions including coordination of joint labor-management committees and union engagement committees.
• Serves as the subject matter expert on interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements.
• Responds to data and information requests from labor unions and other correspondence from labor unions.
• Serves a chief negotiator for contract negotiations with recognized employee organizations at the local level and assists and advises the University System of Maryland chief negotiator in the consolidated bargaining process.
• Other duties as assigned.

Licenses/ Certifications: Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of professional experience in labor relations or collective bargaining.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of human resources policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable human resources related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of management-labor relations; the principles and practices of labor relations, collective bargaining, conflict resolution, employment laws, and skill in their application.
• Skill in the effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
• Ability to reconcile labor relations issues in the context of both existing labor agreements and desired future states of labor relations at the University of Maryland College Park.

Preferences: Master's or Juris Doctorate Preferred

One year supervisory experience

Required Application Materials: Resume, Cover Letter, List of References

• Best Consideration Date: November 17, 2026
• Posting Close Date: NA
• Open Until Filled: Yes
• Job Risks
• Not Applicable to This Position
• Financial Disclosure Required
• Yes

For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

• Department
• VPA-University Human Resources
• Worker Sub-Type
• Staff Regular

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.