Director of Employee Relations

Job no: 554283

Work type: Management (MPP)

Location: Chancellor's Office

Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time

Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Director of Employee Relations. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $175,008 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Classification

Administrator III

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Director of Employee Relations to provide systemwide leadership and expertise on complex employee relations matters across the CSU. This position serves as a trusted advisor to campus administrators, HR, and Faculty Affairs leaders, offering guidance on employee relations matters including discipline, performance management, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and policy compliance. The Director develops and implements systemwide policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure consistent and legally sound practices, while fostering collaboration through a community of practice. Working closely with Labor Relations, the Office of General Counsel, Civil Rights, and other stakeholders, the Director ensures alignment with the California Education Code, California Code of Regulations and collective bargaining agreements and obligations under HEERA and proactively identifies systemic issues and risks. This role also functions as the escalation point for high-risk cases with potential litigation or arbitration implications, safeguarding the CSU’s commitment to fairness, compliance, and effective employee relations.

This position is approved for telecommuting (two days telecommuting, three days in office (in-person)) with onsite work at the main headquarters located in Long Beach, California.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Labor & Employee Relations, the Director of Employee Relations will:

-Provide case-specific consultative services to campus administrators and leaders on complex employee relations matters, ensuring consistent, legally sound, and practical outcomes.

-Serve as a systemwide liaison with campus HR and Faculty Affairs leadership to advise on complex and high-visibility employee relations issues.

-Advise campus leadership on a broad range of employee relations topics, including discipline, performance management, workplace investigations (not related to Nondiscrimination Policy violations), workplace complaints, conflict resolution, and the proper documentation needed in various situation.

-Coordinate cross-functional partnerships with Labor Relations, the Office of General Counsel, Civil Rights, and other subject matter experts to address complex or sensitive employee relations issues.

-Design, direct, and deliver training on employee relations topics such as workplace investigations, performance management, conflict resolution, and corrective action.

-Partner with HR colleagues to ensure training programs are consistent, effective, and implemented across all CSU campuses.

-Provide leadership and coordination for a systemwide community of practice in employee relations, fostering consistency, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.

-Direct the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of systemwide employee relations policies, procedures, and best practices, ensuring alignment with CSU’s mission, strategic goals, collective bargaining agreements, and legal obligations.

-Interpret and apply federal and state law, collective bargaining agreements, and CSU policy to provide accurate and consistent guidance to campuses.

-Partner with Systemwide Labor Relations staff to align employee relations practices with bargaining obligations under HEERA and to provide input on bargaining proposals and contract interpretation.

-Oversee the collection and analysis of employee relations data, trends, and metrics to identify systemic issues, recommend preventive strategies, and drive continuous improvement.

-Serve as an escalation point for high-risk or sensitive employee relations matters, including those with potential litigation or arbitration implications.

Qualifications

This position requires:

-Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field.

-At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in employee relations, labor relations, or human resources, including significant experience in a unionized environment.

-Expert knowledge of federal and state employment law including FMLA/CFRA, Reasonable Accommodations, HEERA, and collective bargaining agreements.

-Demonstrated ability to conduct and oversee complex workplace investigations.

-Strong policy development and program evaluation skills.

-Exceptional consultative and advisory skills.

-Advanced written and verbal communication skills.

-Analytical and data interpretation skills.

-Strong conflict resolution and mediation abilities.

-Strong leadership and collaboration skills.

-High degree of discretion, judgment, and integrity.

-Strong knowledge of the principles of disciplinary processes, including due process, and progressive discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

-Experience in a unionized, public-sector environment.

-Experience representing management in administrative hearings, grievance or arbitration proceedings.

-Professional HR or labor relations certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CLRP).

-Change management and organizational development experience.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by January 28, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

How To Apply

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.

Advertised: January 14, 2026 (9:30 AM) Pacific Standard Time

Applications close: Open until filled

To apply: https://apptrkr.com/6871178

California State University Office of the Chancellor jobs

Director of Employee Relations