Company DescriptionA best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you're interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here. What We Offer: Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs. Benefits - We care about your well-being. Agency Description The Office of Labor Relations negotiates and administers collective bargaining agreements with the City of Philadelphia's Municipal Labor Unions. These include:
- The Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #5
- Deputy Sheriffs and Register of Wills
- The International Association of Firefighters, Local 22
Labor Relations also handles dispute resolution between the City and the labor unions related to:
Labor Relations works with City management on all matters of collective bargaining and arbitration on behalf of the City. They develop and lead training programs for City employees to promote effective labor relations. Job DescriptionPosition Summary The Director of Labor is the primary point-of-contact for the City's labor community and is responsible for labor policy. The Director of Labor manages negotiations and grievance resolution with the City's internal bargaining units, ensures that City vendors meet any prevailing or living wage requirements applicable to their contract; and conducts outreach and enforcement related to paid sick leave, wage theft, and related issues. Essential Functions Leadership and Strategic Planning:
- Provide visionary leadership to the Department of Labor, setting strategic goals and objectives aligned with the department's mission and the City's overall objectives.
- Develop and implement comprehensive plans for the effective management, maintenance, and enhancement of City's Workforce.
- Collaborate with City leadership, stakeholders, and community members to identify and address evolving needs and priorities related to Labor Force.
- Provides insights on labor relations trends and patterns and translates them into proactive proposals.
Divisional Oversight:
- Conducts management training related to Positive Employee Relations (PER) and other timely topics.
- Collaborates to ensure legal compliance by reviewing federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and disseminating, explaining, and consulting regarding those requirements.
- Manages union contracts and is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with union leadership and agents.
- Prepares for and assists operations managers and regional leadership in dealing with potential labor disputes, strikes, work stoppages and other concerted activity, including advising on appropriate courses of action involving satisfactory resolution of disputes, security issues, employee concerns and media/public relations considerations.
- Provides insights on labor relations trends and patterns and translates them into proactive proposals.
Community Engagement and Customer Service:
- Works with external vendors to develop and deliver proposed labor relations related services on-time and within budget.
- Engages with community organizations, labor groups, and advocacy organizations to maintain open lines of communication, understanding workforce needs and concerns, and fostering positive labor relations in the community.
- Oversees the selection, contract negotiation, and performance management of external vendors, ensuring they meet quality standards, deliverables, and adhere to budget constraints for labor relations services.
- Develops and implements public awareness initiatives to educate the community on labor relations policies, benefits, and procedures, enhancing transparency and community trust.
- Collects and analyzes feedback from community stakeholders to identify areas for service improvement in labor relations, working to resolve concerns and improve citywide relations and satisfaction.
- Acts as a liaison during high-stakes or sensitive situations, coordinating with external resources and legal teams to address conflicts or labor disputes impacting city employees and the broader community.
- Coordinates with external experts to provide training sessions and informational workshops for city employees and community stakeholders, ensuring they understand labor policies, rights, and available support resources.
Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge: Negotiation: Maintains knowledge and understanding of laws and regulations related to EEO, affirmative action, collective bargaining, unions, labor relations, and human resources. Industry / Regulatory knowledge: Working knowledge and interpretation of the National Labor Relations Act. Deep understanding of the financial aspects of labor relations, including wage and benefits costs. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Awareness of relevant laws, regulations, codes, and standards governing property ownership, land use, environmental protection, and accessibility requirements. Strategic Planning: Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, goals, and objectives for the effective management and development of public properties in alignment with organizational priorities and community needs. Skills: Leadership: Ability to provide visionary leadership, motivate teams, and foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation within the department. Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey ideas, negotiate agreements, and build relationships with stakeholders, including city officials, community members, and external partners. Negotiation: Skill in negotiating lease agreements, real estate transactions, and contracts to achieve favorable terms and outcomes for the city. Project Management: Proficiency in project management methodologies, tools, and techniques to plan, execute, and monitor property projects on time, within budget, and according to quality standards. Problem-Solving: Ability to identify issues, analyze problems, and develop creative solutions to address challenges related to property management, development, and maintenance. Decision Making: Capacity to make well-informed and timely decisions based on thorough analysis, sound judgment, and consideration of potential risks and benefits. Interpersonal Relations: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, resolve conflicts, and build consensus around shared goals and objectives. Customer Service: Commitment to providing responsive, transparent, and customer-focused services to internal and external stakeholders, addressing their needs and concerns in a professional and courteous manner Abilities: Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically, anticipate future trends and challenges, and develop proactive plans and initiatives to address them. Adaptability: Capacity to adapt to changing priorities, environments, and circumstances while maintaining focus on departmental goals and objectives. Ethical Leadership: Commitment to upholding ethical standards, integrity, and transparency in all aspects of property management, decision-making, and stakeholder engagement. Innovation: Willingness to explore new ideas, technologies, and best practices to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability in property management and development. Results Orientation: Focus on achieving measurable outcomes, meeting deadlines, and delivering high-quality services and projects that enhance the city's infrastructure and community well-being. Team Building: Ability to build and empower high-performing teams, delegate responsibilities, and foster a supportive and inclusive work environment where individuals can thrive and contribute to collective success. QualificationsBachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field. Advanced degree preferred. 10 years of progressive experience in labor relations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership or deputy director role, managing labor relations strategies with a deep understanding of federal, state, and local labor laws, compliance requirements, and labor regulations affecting public sector organizations. Proven experience negotiating high-stakes contracts, including collective bargaining agreements, grievance processes, and policy formulation in a unionized environment. Demonstrated ability to lead labor relations through organizational changes, workforce restructuring, and high-stress scenarios, balancing organizational goals with employee relations We value diverse experiences and are open to flexible qualifications. If you are passionate about this role and meet some of the key criteria, we encourage you to apply. Additional InformationTO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume.Salary Range: $177,898- $222,372 Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
- Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA's Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
- Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
- We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
- Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
- Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Generous retirement savings options are available
- Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
- Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!
Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hireEffective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-###-#### or send an email to ...@phila.gov.Interested candidates should apply through Smart Recruiters: Any questions related to this position should be directed to Lydia Furst, Chief Deputy City Solicitor, Affirmative & Special Litigation Unit (...@phila.gov). For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: