Senior Employee & Labor Relations Consultant

Job description

Shape Workplace Culture. Navigate Complexity. Make an Impact. Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, is seeking an experienced Senior Employee & Labor Relations Consultant to join our Employee Relations team in Springfield, MA. This highly visible role serves as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert, providing expert guidance on complex employee and labor relations matters across the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES: The Senior Employee & Labor Relations Consultant will partner with senior leaders, Human Resource Business Partners, union representatives, and legal counsel to navigate sensitive workplace matters, resolve complex employee and labor issues, and strengthen relationships across both union and non-union environments. You’ll bring expertise in employment and labor law, workplace investigations, collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and conflict management to help leaders make thoughtful, consistent, and legally sound decisions. Under the direction of the Director of Employee and Labor Relations, you’ll also help shape proactive strategies, policies, and training that foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. Key Responsibilities: Lead complex and sensitive workplace investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other workplace concerns. Conduct interviews, evaluate evidence, synthesize findings, and provide clear, defensible recommendations regarding corrective action and risk mitigation. Partner with Legal Counsel on matters that may involve litigation, including EEOC, MCAD, arbitration, and other proceedings. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, Human Resource Business Partners, and managers on highly complex employee and labor relations matters. Balance legal and organizational risk with business needs, organizational values, collective bargaining obligations, and consistent application of policies and practices. Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements and advise leaders and HR partners on contract provisions, compliance, and labor relations strategies. Manage employee disputes and labor grievances, including coordinating grievance meetings, supporting dispute resolution, and preparing matters for arbitration. Partner with union representatives and organizational leadership to achieve timely, effective, and sustainable resolutions. Participate as a member of the management labor negotiations team, supporting bargaining strategy, contract negotiations, implementation of negotiated agreements, and assessment of labor relations risks. Identify employee and labor relations trends and develop proactive strategies to address organizational concerns, mitigate risk, and strengthen workplace relationships. Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of employee and labor relations policies, programs, processes, and training. Maintain advanced knowledge of employment and labor law, ADA, FMLA, collective bargaining agreements, HR policies, and regulatory developments. Translate complex legal and contractual requirements into practical, actionable guidance for leaders, HR Business Partners, and employees. Advise on high-risk and highly sensitive matters, including fitness for duty, off-duty conduct, workplace misconduct, theft, harassment, disciplinary actions, just-cause determinations, contract interpretation, and legally sensitive terminations. Develop and facilitate training for leaders, supervisors, and HR Business Partners on employee and labor relations, investigations, conflict resolution, grievance handling, employment law, and collective bargaining agreement administration. Promote transparency, trust, open communication, and positive employee and labor-management relationships across Baystate Health. Take on additional responsibilities and initiatives that support departmental and organizational priorities. SCHEDULE: Full-time Monday–Friday Occasional weekends depending on case severity LOCATION: 280 Chestnut St, Springfield, MA Will be required to travel to other Baystate Health entities as needed. Hybrid work opportunity- minimum of 3 days on-site required. Candidate must live in MA or CT QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors Degree, required 8–10 years of progressive experience in employee relations, labor relations, or human resources within a large, complex organization (typically 1,500+ employees) Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, labor relations, collective bargaining agreement administration, grievance management, workplace investigations, ADA, and employment law. Minimum of 5–7 years of recent hands-on experience providing employee and labor relations consultation in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. Experience participating in labor negotiations, grievance administration, and arbitration preparation, strongly preferred. Prior healthcare experience, strongly preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. THE ADVANTAGES OF WORKING WITH BAYSTATE! Excellent Compensation High-quality, low-cost medical, dental and vision insurance Generous PTO – up to 25 days in the first year, with scheduled earned increases Continuing education support and reimbursement First Time Home Buyers Financial Packages Farm Share Memberships 403b retirement company match & annual company contribution increase based on years of service Free money coach advice from a certified professional Wellbeing programs that include but are not limited to mental, physical, and financial health Pet, home, auto and personal insurance Life insurance Reimbursement for a variety of wellbeing activities, included but limited to gym membership and equipment, personal trainer, massage and so much more! Wellbeing programs that include but are not limited to mental, physical, and financial health Education: Bachelors Degree (Required) Certifications: Compensation Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees. Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum $89,606.00 - $103,001.00 - $121,804.00 Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.