Labor Relations Coordinator

Overview

Labor Relations Coordinator

📍 Newark, NJ | 🕒 Full Time | 💼 Human Resources Department |

About the Role

Under the direction of the Director Labor Relations, the Labor Relations Coordinator provides confidential administrative and operational support to the Office of Labor Relations. This role is responsible for scheduling Step I and II grievance hearings, arbitrations, union negotiations, Labor Management Meetings, and other engagements on behalf of the Director. The Coordinator also responds to a wide range of inquiries from management, employees, union representatives, external counsel, and outside agencies.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Assists the Labor Relations Team in contract negotiations, including the comparison of existing contracts with proposals submitted by bargaining units covering salary programs, performance evaluations, disciplinary procedures, and other terms. Collects, prepares, and analyzes data relevant to negotiations and supports the implementation of union agreements following ratification.
• Supports the Labor Relations Team in drafting and finalizing negotiated contracts based on signed MOAs and assists in the development and revision of HR policies.
• Assists with gathering and disseminating information regarding union contract negotiations, including implementation steps, salary programs, eligibility criteria, settlements, and effective dates, to relevant departments such as Finance and Compensation Services.
• Assists with the editing and finalizing of assigned negotiated contracts based on the signed MOA. Under the direction of the Director of Labor Relations and the Chief Human Resources Officer, works with the union representatives to resolve wording issues and bring the final product to union officers and University Hospital’s senior management for signature.
• Assists with the implementation and administration of staff union contracts.
• Maintains strict confidentiality and exercises discretion in handling sensitive labor relations matters.
• Organizes and maintains confidential records for the Office of Labor Relations.
• Drafts internal and external communications related to labor relations and assists in the preparation of training materials for University Hospital managers on the application of collective bargaining agreements.
• Coordinates the scheduling of Step I/II grievance hearings, aligning the availability of union representatives, Labor Relations staff, department representatives, and hearing officers.
• Coordinates materials for grievance hearings and maintains comprehensive grievance files.
• Responsible for Loudermill Meetings and Grievance Hearings.
• Facilitates accurate and timely handling of union dues.
• Prepares, organizes, and scans legal files as requested by the Legal Department.
• Maintains a detailed log of grievance hearings and arbitrations, tracking outcomes and the status of each case.
• Processes correspondence related to Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) matters and Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs).
• Manages the calendars of the Director and Labor Relations staff, ensuring accurate and efficient scheduling.
• Prepares and sends professional correspondence, including memoranda and emails, on behalf of the Office of Labor Relations and Compensation Services.
• Responds promptly to inquiries from employees, unions, and management regarding labor relations matters.
• Tracks union time requests submitted by union members, ensuring accurate recordkeeping.
• Maintains and updates databases for New Hire Veteran and Disability Survey forms.
• Acts as liaison with internal administrative departments, ensuring timely resolution of issues and maintaining proper documentation and follow-up logs.
• Compiles data for reports and presentations, preparing charts, graphs, tables, and other visual materials as needed.
• Manages updates to the Labor Relations website, in collaboration with HRIS.
• Maintains records of telecommuting agreements, ensuring data is current and accessible.
• Coordinates comprehensive meeting logistics within the scope of Labor Relations, including facility reservations, catering services, audio/visual setup, and any additional arrangements to ensure smooth execution of grievance hearings, negotiations, and other labor-related meetings.
• Serves as an informational resource, providing guidance on University Hospital policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Processes unemployment claims, providing required employment information to third-party administrators.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Public or Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in Labor Relations.
• At least two (2) years of professional experience in a business office, government agency, higher education, or healthcare setting, with responsibilities in administrative coordination, staff support, or office management.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Exceptional attention to detail with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively and diplomatically with employees at all levels, union representatives, external agencies, and hospital leadership.
• Professional demeanor, exercising discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment in sensitive matters.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with experience drafting correspondence, reports, and presentations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (minimum requirement).
• Experience in administrative coordination and staff support, preferably within human resources, legal, or labor relations functions.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and present data effectively using spreadsheets and reporting tools. Comfortable working independently as well as part of a collaborative team environment.

What We Offer

• Vacation Time Off
• Medical & Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Development

Compensation (NJ Job Transparency Law)

In compliance with New Jersey’s Pay Transparency Act, the salary for this position is $65,000 - $85,000.

University Hospital considers multiple factors when determining compensation, including (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s relevant work experience, education and training, key skills, internal equity, market data, and organizational needs.

About Us

University Hospital is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. As the principal teaching affiliate of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the only state-certified Level 1 Trauma Center in Northern New Jersey, University Hospital is training the next generation of physicians and advancing science to discovery while taking exceptional care of patients, regardless of their financial situation.

Apply Today

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you want to grow your career in healthcare while serving a vibrant community, we’d love to meet you.