Director, Labor Relations

Director, Labor Relations

Rhode Island School of Design

 

• Providence, RI

• Rhode Island School of Design

• Please contact Julie A. Leos for salary information

• Reports to: Lauren Bowen, Vice President for Human Resources

 

Responsibilities of the Position

 

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD or the College) is accepting nominations and applications for their next director of labor relations.

 

Reporting to the vice president for human resources, the director of labor relations will lead RISD’s efforts to develop and manage labor relations strategies within a complex and dynamic academic environment. The director of labor relations collaborates with senior leadership to recommend and formulate labor strategies and define and carry out labor priorities for RISD.

 

The director represents RISD as the central point of contact for collective bargaining for nine union contracts. They lead negotiations with labor unions and work collaboratively with constituents across the institution to foster a positive, inclusive work environment by promoting effective communication and conflict resolution that respects diverse viewpoints.

 

The next director must monitor changes in labor laws and ensure RISD’s policies reflect those requirements. They must also ensure effective operational excellence in implementing labor relations strategies by collaborating with internal partners to optimize processes to support RISD’s commitments. Additionally, they will track labor relations cases and issues to identify short- and long-term trends used to advise senior administration on critical needs.

 

In addition to those responsibilities listed above, the director of labor will oversee the following:

 

Labor Relations Strategy:

 

• Develop, recommend, and implement labor relations strategies that align with RISD’s mission and values, including fostering social equity and inclusion.

• Collaborate with senior leaders and managers to assess needs and define priorities continuously.

 

Negotiation and Contract Management:

 

• Lead negotiations with labor unions regarding collective bargaining agreements for initial and successor agreements and preparation of collective bargaining proposals through executed agreements.

• Administer and ensure compliance with RISD’s collective bargaining agreements.

• Responsible for the contractual grievance process.

• Prepare and present RISD’s position on labor arbitration or other third-party proceedings, including investigation of facts and research of labor text and arbitrators’ decisions, precedent cases, witness information, and other relevant documents.

• Review, negotiate, and draft contracts and other legal documents relating to labor and employment matters.

 

Labor/Employee Relations

 

• Provide advice, assistance, and advocacy to faculty, staff, and administrators concerning matters of labor and employment law, including organizing, union, elections, campaigns, unfair labor practices, disability, discrimination, investigations, and litigation; recommend strategies consistent with and in furtherance of the College’s mission and values.

• Promote an environment of positive labor and employee relations through the development of fair and consistent application of labor relations strategies.

• Foster a positive, inclusive work environment by promoting effective communication and conflict resolution that respects diverse viewpoints.

• Facilitate solutions to a wide variety of complaints including complex labor/employee relations issues. Thoroughly investigate claims, help to mitigate legal risk, mediate disputes to resolution, and follow issues to conclusion.

• Coordinate, advise on, and conduct investigations into alleged violations of RISD’s policies or the law. Work collaboratively within human resources (HR), general counsel, and leadership to promote a unified approach to labor relations that respects inclusion.

• Build trust and collaborative working relationships with all union officials.

• Participate in, or lead, joint labor management committees.

 

Training and Communication

 

• Develop a labor relations communication strategy in partnership with marketing and communications. Provide content for the labor relations portion of the human resources web page.

• Partner with various departments and stakeholders to ensure labor relations strategies are effectively communicated and integrated across the institution.

• Provide training to HR staff, leadership, and managers on labor relations issues. Develop and deliver training to address these needs as appropriate.

 

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

 

Knowledge of labor laws commensurate with a Juris Doctor (JD) or alternate advanced degree and a minimum of eight years related experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and education are required. A JD degree is preferred.

 

In addition to the qualification listed above the candidate should have:

 

• Ability to lead with high integrity, discretion, commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, and professionalism.

• Significant experience in labor and employment law, which includes extensive experience negotiating multiple collective bargaining contracts, preferably in a higher education setting.

• Demonstrated success building and maintaining an effective labor relations program, which encourages productive relationships with labor organizations and supports the organizational mission and goals.

• Strong knowledge of labor laws and regulations and conflict resolution, with a focus on equity and inclusion.

• Excellent negotiation, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

• Proven ability to effectively manage complex labor relations issues while promoting an inclusive workplace culture.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated experience in contract and policy writing are required.

• Proven ability to be an engaged, and visible campus partner.

 

Opportunities and Challenges of the Role

 

In transitioning to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), the director of labor relations will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges as shared by key campus stakeholders:

 

• The RISD community values and upholds freedom of expression. A new director must demonstrate a strong understanding of this campus culture and the diverse needs of its members, integrating this awareness into their leadership approach to ensure alignment with and responsiveness to the community’s values.

• The new director will enter RISD and immediately begin to build trust across campus. In their role, they will have an excellent opportunity to use their fresh perspective to develop and shape a new outlook towards labor relations at RISD.

• With nine labor unions, the director must quickly investigate each contract and any ongoing changes. Additionally, the director must understand not only individual contracts but also the people they represent.

• The new director must support the college by clearly and quickly beginning the process of building communication patterns that cultivate trust.

 

Measures of Success

 

The items listed below will define the director of labor relations’s success throughout the first year of employment:

 

• The director understands RISD’s mission and goals and has used their role to support that vision.

• The director or labor relations is a trusted and known entity on the campus, having sought to build relationships with union presidents, RISD leadership, students, faculty, and staff.

• They have developed a strategic path forward to engage with labor relations. This includes identifying and communicating an aligned philosophy about labor relations, establishing effective communication methods for union representatives and members, and working with HR peers to develop support systems that lead to a healthier and more engaged workforce.

• A strong relationship with the leadership has been forged.

• They have developed a strong working relationship with the director of employee relations, and this relationship is centered on a shared vision of a positive work experience at RISD.

 

Overview of the RISD Human Resources

 

RISD Human Resources partners with campus colleagues to attract, retain, and develop a diverse workforce. They enhance the experience of all employees and foster an environment that values respect, teamwork, diversity, and inclusion. The team works proactively to create an environment that respects the whole person.

 

They provide comprehensive services that serve the RISD community in the areas of:

 

• benefits and well-being

• compensation

• talent acquisition

• employee and labor relations

• organizational development

• learning and development

 

Human Resources Mission

 

Institutional Overview

 

RISD is a nonprofit college and museum founded in 1877 in the city of Providence, Rhode Island. Today 2,518 students from 57 countries engage in 44 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, supported by a committed faculty and a worldwide network of more than 33,000 alumni. Started by a group of women well before any woman had the right to vote in the United States, RISD has always embraced art and design’s capacity to stoke curiosity and spur progress. RISD’s exceptional faculty foster student growth and development in extensive specialized facilities, enabling students to become confident, cross-disciplinary thinkers, and nimble problem-solvers ready to confront the complexities of global practice in the 21st century. Their immersive model of art and design education emphasizes robust liberal arts studies and conceptually driven studio-based learning in full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across 19 majors.

 

Diversity Statement of the Institution

 

“At RISD we commit resources to recruiting and retaining students, faculty, staff and trustees of diverse backgrounds, education, languages and cultures. We also educate, train and support the community in noting and respecting various perspectives present in a diverse, inclusive institution. We believe that diversity is critical to creating a truly healthy RISD community at all levels.”

 

Benefits Overview

 

The benefits offered by RISD employees include medical and dental insurance plans, a 403 (b) retirement plan with employer contributions, paid time off and many more.

 

Application

 

Review of applications will begin December 1st, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

 

Visit the Rhode Island School of Design website at https://www.risd.edu/

 

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at RISD, where employment actions are based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

 

We also are committed to the understanding that cultural, ethnic, intellectual, and other diversity among our applicants and employees will positively contribute to enriching the College environment. We therefore make efforts to ensure that our employment opportunities are known widely and that full consideration is given to all qualified candidates and employees