Associate Director of Staff and Labor Relations

The Opportunity

Cornell University seeks a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-driven leader to serve as its Associate Director of Staff and Labor Relations. This is a unique opportunity to help shape and advance the university's staff and labor relations strategy at one of the world's leading research institutions that spans multiple campuses, encompasses a diverse and evolving workforce, and is deeply committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking community.

Reporting to the Director of Staff and Labor Relations, the Associate Director will play a critical leadership role in guiding the university's approach to labor relations, employee relations, and human resources policy. This individual will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the design, implementation, and administration of university-wide labor and employee relations programs, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Associate Director will serve as a key advisor and partner to senior HR leadership, university administrators, and academic and operational units across Cornell. In this capacity, they will help shape and execute strategies that support organizational effectiveness, workforce engagement, and positive employee relations outcomes. The role requires a high degree of judgment and discretion, particularly in navigating complex and sensitive matters that may carry legal, financial, or reputational implications for the university. The Associate Director will proactively identify risks and opportunities, taking appropriate action to mitigate liability while advancing solutions that reflect Cornell's values and long-term goals.

A central component of this role is leading the university's labor relations strategy in an increasingly dynamic and evolving labor landscape. The Associate Director will serve as lead negotiator for the university's collective bargaining agreements, developing and executing negotiation strategies that balance institutional priorities with constructive labor-management relationships. This includes preparing for and participating in negotiations, interpreting and administering contracts, and advising leadership on labor-related matters. In addition, the Associate Director will play a leading role in planning for and responding to union organizing activity, bringing a thoughtful, informed, and strategic approach to union engagement.

The Associate Director will work closely with the Office of General Counsel on labor relations matters with legal implications, including the interpretation and application of labor laws, regulations, and internal policies. They will provide expert guidance to departments and leaders on both represented and non-represented staff issues, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance across the institution.

As Cornell continues to grow and evolve, with new bargaining units forming and additional groups exploring unionization, the Associate Director will be instrumental in building and strengthening relationships with both established and emerging unions. This role calls for a leader who approaches labor relations not only as a function of compliance and negotiation, but as an opportunity to foster trust, transparency, and mutual understanding. Through proactive engagement, education, and communication, the Associate Director will help cultivate productive partnerships that support a positive work environment and organizational success.

The ideal candidate will bring a high level of energy, tenacity, and professionalism, along with exceptional interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills. In addition, they will be adept at navigating complexity, influencing stakeholders, and leading through change. This is an opportunity for a seasoned labor relations professional to make a meaningful impact on the values-driven labor relations function that supports Cornell's people, advances its mission, and contributes to its long-term success.

About Staff and Labor Relations

Cornell is successful because of its people - their commitment, innovation, drive, and compassion. Cornell has over 20,000 employees worldwide. The division of the Vice President of HR is critical to enabling Cornell's success by providing a comprehensive and inspiring function that complements a decentralized approach to talent attraction and management. The HR Community, renowned for the way we value people, includes members from both the centralized division of the Vice President and the Human Resources departments dedicated to the colleges and units.

Staff and Labor Relations (SLR) provides strategic direction, leadership, and counsel in the areas of labor relations, employee relations, discipline and layoff policy administration. The SLR team serves as a trusted resource, offering expertise and guidance to help navigate complex workplace issues and strengthen the university's employment culture.

What We Need

• A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. Your cover letter should describe your interest in the position and explain how your experience and professional goals align with the role's objectives and opportunities for mutual success.
• A Bachelor's degree with seven or more years of experience in private sector labor relations or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.
• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing practices to business goals.

Required experience and traits:

• Effectively consulting with clients to understand HR issues and resolve related problems.
• Lead contract negotiations and resolve complaint management/investigation/resolution.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of labor contracts, personnel policies, mediation and negotiating.
• Consulting on employee relations matters and interpreting organizational policies to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Providing strategic leadership and direction.
• Successfully managing staff and labor relations related projects.
• Communicating complex information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Successfully cultivating relationships with both internal and external constituents.
• Leading a team and managing highly motivated and high functioning individuals.
• Understanding, interpreting, and applying labor laws; advanced knowledge of federal labor and employment laws, including the NLRA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and FERPA.
• Analyzing data, reviewing reports, and providing recommendations.
• Working proactively, independently, and reliably in an action and deadline-oriented versatile environment.

If you possess these experiences and skills this may be the role for you! There are a few other qualifications we would view as incredibly helpful in this role, to include:

• J.D. Degree
• First chair experience negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements in the private sector.
• Experience in a university setting.
• High level of organization, detail oriented and ability to time-manage across multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Leadership and people management experience.

Rewards and Benefits

• This position is based in Ithaca, NY and eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.
• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell's non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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