Employee &Labor Relations Spec

Department: Office of Human Resources
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary

The Employee & Labor Relations Specialist is accountable for critical administrative processes that support both the HR Business Partner team and the Director of Labor Relations & HR Policy. Key areas of accountability include serving as the primary administrator for personnel records, employee & labor relations file maintenance, data requests, unemployment insurance claims processes, first line response to inquiries from employees, managers, and administrators, and maintaining seamless communication between various stakeholders including third-party administrators, labor unions, and other Northwestern offices.

Reporting to the Director, HR Business Partners, this position provides exceptional support for comprehensive employee & labor operations within a dynamic university environment. It requires a proactive approach to process ownership, with the expectation to continuously evaluate outcomes, identify improvement opportunities, and implement enhancements. The successful candidate will gain valuable experience while contributing to critical institutional processes that directly impact employees.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Records Management, Reporting, & Analysis

• Prepare and maintain University responses to routine labor union information requests, including bargaining unit roster management and dues payment documentation
• Coordinate file and reporting requests from the Office of General Counsel as directed
• Provide and prepare timely responses to employee personnel file requests through comprehensive document compilation and Senior HRBP review coordination
• Leverage the personnel file management system to facilitate HR processes such as changes in standard weekly hours, terminations, & other relevant processes.
• Maintain and update HRBP shared drive systems, including comprehensive employee relations file management
• Administer weekly exit survey processes including distribution, data analysis, and executive summary report preparation
• Oversees HRBP activity log and coordinates with HRBPs to update the log on a regular basis

Unemployment Insurance Administration & Compliance

• Serve as the University's primary liaison with the third-party unemployment insurance administrator
• Comprehensive unemployment insurance claim management, including information request completion, documentation coordination with Senior HR Business Partners, and hearing notification processes
• Identify and report fraudulent claims to appropriate staff and vendor partner
• Develop and implement process improvement initiatives through documentation analysis, response rate evaluation, and systematic change management

Employee & Labor Relations Support

• Manage primary shared HRBP email communications, ensuring appropriate response and escalation protocols
• Manage HRBP email inbox and function as first-level escalation contact for askHR service center inquiries, coordinating timely resolution with Senior HR Business Partner involvement as required
• Maintain labor union files and prepare reports as requested
• Conduct comprehensive intake assessments for HR Business Partner matters under Director guidance

Strategic HR Support

• Provide logistical and administrative support for HR Business Partner-led training sessions and professional development workshops
• Assist with workplace investigations under senior HR staff supervision
• Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures for all assigned functional areas
• Reviews applicable laws and regulation updates to ensure ongoing compliance with university policies and applicable regulatory requirements in collaboration with HR leadership and the Office of General Counsel
• Other duties as assigned by the Director, HRBP

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• 5 years of progressive HR operations or administrative experience, preferably in higher education or complex organizational environments
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and enterprise document management platforms, including PeopleSoft, OnBase and Deskpro
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to interact professionally with diverse stakeholders
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities with attention to detail
• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion and professional judgment

Target hiring range for this position will be between $68,000-$80,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.