Description
Margolies, Potterton and Associates, Unionsearch, LLC, a recruiting firm, is partnering with New York State United Teachers (NYSUT.) NYSUT is seeking a veteran HR professional with union experience to lead a department that, in concert with other departments, oversees employee relations, pension administration, and healthcare benefits for NYSUT staff and retirees. The Manager of HR is a pivotal leadership position responsible for supporting the organization through effective implementation, administration, and compliance. This position reports to the President through director-level leadership.
NYSUT employs approximately 400 full-time and 16 part-time employees, including Management, Confidential, and unionized staff whose working conditions are governed by three separate collective bargaining agreements covering professional staff, hourly administrative staff, and attorneys.
Primary Responsibilities:
Perform the overall administration and supervision of NYSUT’s employee relations work, and the compensation, benefits and retirement programs that provide services to active and retired staff and their eligible dependents.
- Develop and implement new approaches and procedures within the department to support organizational operations and objectives.
- Serve on the NYSUT Cabinet interacting in support of the NYSUT Officers and the NYSUT Board of Directors.
- Develop and maintain a productive relationship with NYSUT staff, retirees and bargaining units.
- Lead transformational workforce succession planning, recruitment and onboarding.
- Direct and develop the HR department of 2.5 staff (assistant, specialist, hourly assistant) plus oversight of 2 unionized compensation/retirement staff.
- Attend all major organizational events and meetings.
Desired Competencies:
- Interpersonal/Relational — Managing with union values to foster positive workplace relationships (staff, retirees NYSUT Cabinet, Board, Officers).
- Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining —Administering staff contracts & support negotiations, assisting with the handling of grievances, arbitration preparation.
- Leadership & Influence — Planning/delegating and carrying out goals set by leadership, and resolving problems in a manner that properly balances organizational needs with those of the staff member or retiree.
- Business Knowledge: Use strategic judgement in managing risk, compensation/payroll, benefits (self-funded and insured medical, life, AD&D, disability, FSA 125, visions & dental plans, EAP, CMM) and pensions (defined benefit and contribution plans, 457 plan and 401 K plan), leave programs, and assuring compliance with benefits regulation, federal and state labor laws, EEO, FMLA, ADA, wage and hour regulations, workplace policies.
- Analytical & Decision-Making Skills — Oversight of HR Information System, Governmental reporting, actuarial data and security related to confidential HR files/data/records.
Requirements
Values, Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree.
10 or more years HR management and supervisory experience required.
Commitment to enforcing union values.
Competence to build and effectively manage interpersonal relationships at all levels of the organization.
Knowledge and understanding of health and other benefit issues, plan design, evolving regulations and compliance requirements.
Experience with compensation and retirement plan oversight.
Experience bargaining and administering collective bargaining agreements, managing grievances and arbitration discipline and discharge processes in a unionized environment.
Strong analytical, written, verbal and presentation skills.
Available to work uneven hours and travel when needed.
Valid driver’s license.
SHRM or CEBS endorsed certifications preferred.
Transition: 5-month overlap/onboarding with retiring NYSUT HR Manager for knowledge transfer