The Culinary Institute of America
Associate Director - Employee & Labor Relations
The Culinary Institute of America, New Hyde Park, New York, United States
Associate Director - Employee & Labor Relations
Apply for the
Associate Director - Employee & Labor Relations
role at
The Culinary Institute of America .
Salary: $90,000 to $100,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Benefits include: medical coverage at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, a retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, generous paid time off, and more.
Position Summary Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Associate Director of Employee and Labor Relations collaborates with Human Resources colleagues and Institute partners to manage employee and labor relations issues for non-union and union employees across all CIA campuses. The Associate Director manages all non-union employee relations issues, including progressive discipline, performance improvement plans, and separations. Additionally, the Associate Director serves as the primary liaison for all labor relation matters, administering collective bargaining agreements and handling grievances, working closely with the Chief Human Resources Officer, Director of Faculty Relations, departmental leadership, legal counsel, and union representatives to ensure fair and consistent application of contractual and institutional policies.
Essential Responsibilities
Oversee employee relations processes for union and non-union employees, managing disciplinary processes, ensuring documentation is maintained in employee files, resolving complaints, supporting performance improvement plans, and administering terminations in compliance with CIA standards.
Conduct investigations into employee conduct and behavior, gathering evidence, maintaining confidential records, drafting investigation reports, and issuing findings in accordance with Title IX and HSMD policies.
Manage relationships with the maintenance union, administer collective bargaining agreements, ensure contract compliance, and participate in contract negotiations.
Serve as an advisor and subject matter expert on employee relations matters, providing guidance on labor relations, disciplinary processes, and grievance resolution.
Foster effective working relationships with departmental leadership, supervisors, union representatives, and internal partners to support collaborative employee and labor-management environments.
Contribute to Human Resources activities related to employee engagement, including surveys, performance management, and developmental programming.
Update CIA’s Employee Handbook and other relevant HR policies, providing input on related documents such as the Faculty Handbook when requested.
Ensure multi-state compliance with employment laws for field office employees, including workplace postings and annual notices.
Manage assigned legal claims, coordinating with outside counsel and relevant internal offices.
Perform any other duties as assigned.
Education
Bachelor degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field, or significant work experience in lieu thereof.
Experience
Seven (7) years of progressive Human Resources experience; three (3) of which must be in an employee relations or labor relations capacity.
Demonstrated experience working in a unionized setting, including direct responsibility for interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements and participating in grievance or disciplinary processes.
Preferred Qualifications
PHR or SPHR designation (preferred).
Experience in higher education, food, beverage, or hospitality industry (asset).
Corporate experience in a multi-unit environment (preferred).
Previous supervisory experience (preferred).
Strong knowledge of employment legislation for New York, California, or Texas (preferred).
Working knowledge of Title IX and higher education compliance requirements (preferred).
Strong knowledge of employee relations and full-cycle recruitment administration, HR systems, policies, and generalist activities.
Required Skills
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual skills.
Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; adaptable, dependable, and able to handle multiple priorities.
Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, union representatives, and internal stakeholders, building productive partnerships.
High level of service responsiveness to internal customers and effective partnership with HR colleagues.
Ability to work within multi-disciplined teams to respond to business needs.
Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential HR issues.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Proven track record of working with all levels of an organization.
High energy and self-motivation.
Strong computer proficiency, including HRIS systems and MS Office suite.
Working Conditions
Regular work requires use of a computer for extended periods, sometimes exceeding eight (8) hours per day.
Able to travel periodically to other CIA locations.
Must be available to work nights and weekends as required.
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Human Resources
Industries Higher Education
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Associate Director - Employee & Labor Relations
role at
The Culinary Institute of America .
Salary: $90,000 to $100,000. Hiring offers will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Benefits include: medical coverage at no cost to qualifying employees, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, a retirement savings plan with high employer contributions, generous paid time off, and more.
Position Summary Under the direction of the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Associate Director of Employee and Labor Relations collaborates with Human Resources colleagues and Institute partners to manage employee and labor relations issues for non-union and union employees across all CIA campuses. The Associate Director manages all non-union employee relations issues, including progressive discipline, performance improvement plans, and separations. Additionally, the Associate Director serves as the primary liaison for all labor relation matters, administering collective bargaining agreements and handling grievances, working closely with the Chief Human Resources Officer, Director of Faculty Relations, departmental leadership, legal counsel, and union representatives to ensure fair and consistent application of contractual and institutional policies.
Essential Responsibilities
Oversee employee relations processes for union and non-union employees, managing disciplinary processes, ensuring documentation is maintained in employee files, resolving complaints, supporting performance improvement plans, and administering terminations in compliance with CIA standards.
Conduct investigations into employee conduct and behavior, gathering evidence, maintaining confidential records, drafting investigation reports, and issuing findings in accordance with Title IX and HSMD policies.
Manage relationships with the maintenance union, administer collective bargaining agreements, ensure contract compliance, and participate in contract negotiations.
Serve as an advisor and subject matter expert on employee relations matters, providing guidance on labor relations, disciplinary processes, and grievance resolution.
Foster effective working relationships with departmental leadership, supervisors, union representatives, and internal partners to support collaborative employee and labor-management environments.
Contribute to Human Resources activities related to employee engagement, including surveys, performance management, and developmental programming.
Update CIA’s Employee Handbook and other relevant HR policies, providing input on related documents such as the Faculty Handbook when requested.
Ensure multi-state compliance with employment laws for field office employees, including workplace postings and annual notices.
Manage assigned legal claims, coordinating with outside counsel and relevant internal offices.
Perform any other duties as assigned.
Education
Bachelor degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field, or significant work experience in lieu thereof.
Experience
Seven (7) years of progressive Human Resources experience; three (3) of which must be in an employee relations or labor relations capacity.
Demonstrated experience working in a unionized setting, including direct responsibility for interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements and participating in grievance or disciplinary processes.
Preferred Qualifications
PHR or SPHR designation (preferred).
Experience in higher education, food, beverage, or hospitality industry (asset).
Corporate experience in a multi-unit environment (preferred).
Previous supervisory experience (preferred).
Strong knowledge of employment legislation for New York, California, or Texas (preferred).
Working knowledge of Title IX and higher education compliance requirements (preferred).
Strong knowledge of employee relations and full-cycle recruitment administration, HR systems, policies, and generalist activities.
Required Skills
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and conceptual skills.
Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; adaptable, dependable, and able to handle multiple priorities.
Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, union representatives, and internal stakeholders, building productive partnerships.
High level of service responsiveness to internal customers and effective partnership with HR colleagues.
Ability to work within multi-disciplined teams to respond to business needs.
Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential HR issues.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Proven track record of working with all levels of an organization.
High energy and self-motivation.
Strong computer proficiency, including HRIS systems and MS Office suite.
Working Conditions
Regular work requires use of a computer for extended periods, sometimes exceeding eight (8) hours per day.
Able to travel periodically to other CIA locations.
Must be available to work nights and weekends as required.
Seniority Level Mid-Senior level
Employment Type Full-time
Job Function Human Resources
Industries Higher Education
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