Berkeley Lab · 2 weeks ago
Employee & Labor Relations Manager
Berkeley, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$220K/yr - $250K/yr
10+ years expLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking an Employee & Labor Relations Manager within the Human Resources division. This HR leadership role oversees the Laboratory’s Employee & Labor Relations function and advises senior management on strategic direction, policies, and programs related to employee and labor relations.
Research
Hiring Manager
Tara Antommarchi
Responsibilities
Act as a collaborative partner with the CHRO to advise on strategy. May provide advice and counsel to senior Laboratory management in the development and presentation of the Laboratory’s positions and proposals in contract negotiations
Serve as the primary liaison with the UC Office of the President’s Labor team and as chief spokesperson in local collective bargaining with all unions and in labor and employment arbitration proceedings
Provide expert guidance and oversight on policies, programs, strategies, and organizational changes that have implications for employee relations, ensuring proactive involvement to maintain company trust and culture
Oversee and define the Laboratory’s approach to managing and addressing Employee Relations escalations and concerns
Ensures that all collective bargaining agreements and Laboratory policy (Regulations and Procedures Manual - RPM) are administered effectively, emphasizing the protection of management prerogatives while fostering collaborative labor-management relationships
Represent the Laboratory in external proceedings involving agencies such as PERB, EEOC/DFEH, and EDD, providing research and analysis regarding issues under HEERA, ADA, FMLA, NLRB, FEHA, and CFRA
Leads and manages the ELR professional staff, focusing on developing advanced skills in conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation and crisis support
Lead HR investigations, disciplinary reviews, and the Crisis Action Team (CAT) to ensure due process and rapid resolution of workplace threats or misconduct
Ensure the ELR team provides effective advice and counsel to Laboratory management and HR field teams regarding management decisions encompassing employee job performance, development, and misconduct
Lead the development of tools and resources (standard operating procedures, guidelines, training and education materials. templates, etc) to ensure the highest level of quality, consistency and accessibility of ELR’s service portfolio
Develop data-driven Employee Relations strategies by using metrics and trend analysis to evaluate programs, measure effectiveness, and inform recommendations, leveraging technology and innovation while adhering to responsible data use
Ensure coordination of activities with other HR functions and serves as a trusted advisor to HRBPs and HR leadership to prevent, diagnose, and address work environment issues
Qualification
Required
A Bachelor's Degree in business, human resources, industrial relations, or a related field, or equivalent experience
A minimum of 10 years of Employee and Labor Relations experience, with 3 or more years in a management role leading professional employees
Extensive and demonstrated experience in all facets of labor and employee relations, including: Arbitration advocacy, mediation, and facilitation/conflict resolution
Drafting of settlement agreements, letters of understanding, and arbitration post-hearing briefs
Developing and setting strategies, negotiating and bargaining and managing complex labor disputes as they arise
Advanced understanding of US employment and human resources related laws, regulations, policies, principles, concepts, and practices, including ADA, FMLA, and FEHA, at both the California state and federal level
Experience conducting investigations and knowledge of investigatory processes/best practices
Experience in a large and organizationally complex and/or highly unionized environment
Proven experience leading, coaching, and developing a high-performing team
Experience thriving in a continually evolving environment and the ability to adjust effectively in changing priorities and work processes
Ability to balance both proactive and reactive strategies, effectively juggling long-term strategic development with the immediate needs of the organization
Expertise in building and nurturing strategic relationships to influence stakeholders at all levels, drive collaborative decision-making, and lead organizational change
Comfortable with leveraging technology tools (e.g. AI, google suite, zoom) to develop templates, streamline processes, and provide training and educational support
Ability to use data to shape strategy to track trends, proactively recommend interventions, and identify opportunities to prevent issues before they escalate
Excellent analytical and legal reasoning skills, with a proven ability to negotiate complex situations and communicate findings to drive positive business outcomes
A strategic thinker, inspiring leader, effective manager and team player
Demonstrated credibility, integrity and trust
Demonstrated success at implementing and continuously improving labor relations over an extended period
The ability to balance both proactive and reactive strategies and effectively toggle between developing and leading an overarching strategy for the future while not losing sight of current needs
A track record of leveraging Employee Relations strategies to maintain company trust and drive positive organizational change
General knowledge of human resource management theories and practices across multiple functional areas, including compensation, diversity, and leadership development, to ensure ELR activities are coordinated with the broader HR strategy
Proven ability to integrate Employee and Labor Relations strategies within a broader Human Resources framework, ensuring that labor decisions support overall organizational health, employee engagement, and a high-performance culture
Preferred
Prior UC, DOE or national laboratory experience
Experience as Chief Negotiator in collective bargaining
Experience creating and implementing templates, tools, training and education
Juris Doctorate or Master's Degree in human resources, industrial relations, or a related field
Experience in labor law through prior legal practice or specialized labor relations negotiations
Prior HR Business Partner experience
General knowledge of human resource management theories, principles and practices encompassing HR functional areas, such as compensation/benefits, training and organizational development, workplace diversity, staffing/recruitment and leadership/management development
General knowledge of LBNL/UC/DOE policies and procedures
Company
Berkeley Lab
Berkeley Lab is a national laboratory that creates advanced new tools for scientific discovery.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Berkeley Lab has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (154)
2024 (159)
2023 (163)
2022 (154)
2021 (165)
2020 (107)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Mary Barnum, MBA
Business Manager, COO Office
Rebecca Rishell
Deputy Chief Operating Officer
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