HR Manager/Labor & Employee Relations - Fresno State

Another Source's client, California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), is recruiting a Human Resources Manager for Labor & Employee Relations to join their team in Fresno, California. This is a hybrid opportunity, currently offering one remote day per week, with a relocation package available for discussion.

Here's a little about Fresno State:

Fresno State is a vibrant public university serving more than 25,000 students in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley. As part of the California State University system, Fresno State is deeply connected to the region it serves and is committed to boldly educating and empowering students for success through Discovery, Diversity, and Distinction.

This is an exciting time to join Fresno State Human Resources as the department continues to strengthen how it supports employees, managers, and leaders across campus. At the center of that work is a commitment to creating a professional, caring, and human-centered HR experience while fostering a fair, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Learn more about Fresno State Human Resources:

https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/hr/index.html

About this role:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources and serving as a member of the HR leadership team, the Human Resources Manager for Labor & Employee Relations will lead the University's labor and employee relations functions while serving as a trusted advisor and resource to employees, managers, department chairs, and campus leaders.

This is a highly visible opportunity for an experienced labor and employee relations professional who enjoys navigating complexity, building relationships, and finding practical solutions. You'll play a central role in collective bargaining agreement administration, union relations, grievances, workplace investigations, performance management, corrective and disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.

Just as importantly, this role has the opportunity to influence how Fresno State approaches employee relations proactively. You'll develop training, coach leaders, identify risk, and use mediation, facilitation, negotiation, and counseling strategies to address workplace concerns before they escalate. The position may also supervise one or more employees.

How you will spend your time

Serve as a trusted advisor to managers, supervisors, and department chairs, helping them interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements, employment laws, CSU policies, and University procedures.

• Build productive relationships with union representatives and serve as a primary University liaison in regular labor-management meetings, meet-and-confer discussions, and other labor relations activities.

• Manage grievances and complaints from intake through resolution, including researching issues, evaluating contract provisions, preparing responses, and identifying effective resolution strategies.

• Lead and support workplace investigations, mediations, interventions, corrective and disciplinary actions, terminations, and other complex employee relations matters.

• Conduct intake meetings, review concerns, gather and analyze information, and prepare clear investigative reports, grievance responses, position statements, and related documentation.

• Assess risk associated with employee personnel actions and provide thoughtful recommendations regarding appropriate corrective action or discipline.

• Coach managers and leaders through performance management, conflict resolution, workplace concerns, and sensitive employee situations with an emphasis on consistency, fairness, and sound judgment.

• Develop and deliver labor and employee relations training, including performance management resources and programs that help campus leaders address issues proactively and effectively.

• Serve as a resource to employees seeking guidance regarding formal and informal grievance, complaint, and workplace dispute-resolution processes.

• Maintain organized and compliant records related to grievances, investigations, complaints, and other employee relations matters in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and statutory requirements.

• Partner with the Office of Compliance & Civil Rights, Office of Faculty Affairs, campus legal counsel, and other stakeholders on complex matters, including responses to external federal and state regulatory agencies when needed.

• Support workplace climate assessments, employee exit processes, and the implementation of strategies designed to improve the employee experience.

• Represent the University, as appropriate, in State Personnel Board proceedings and assist campus legal counsel with hearings and related matters.

• Collaborate with campus and CSU systemwide stakeholders to identify creative solutions to complex labor and employee relations challenges.

• Contribute as a member of the HR leadership team to broader departmental priorities and Fresno State's continued commitment to a professional, caring, and human-centered workplace.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a closely related field.

• At least five years of progressively responsible human resources experience.

• Demonstrated experience working in a collective bargaining environment, including knowledge of collective bargaining agreement administration and interpretation.

• Demonstrated success resolving workplace conflict through approaches such as mediation, negotiation, facilitation, and problem-solving.

• Working knowledge of applicable state and federal employment laws and regulations.

• Strong critical-thinking, analytical, research, negotiation, creative problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with employees, managers, labor unions, campus partners, external constituencies, and the public.

• Ability to conduct and document sensitive workplace matters and prepare investigative reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals, position statements, and grievance responses.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to establish productive working relationships, lead and motivate others, and approach confidential and sensitive matters with objectivity, fairness, empathy, and sound judgment.

• Demonstrated understanding of how diversity, equity, and inclusion influence people and workplace environments, along with the ability to understand and value perspectives across different backgrounds and cultures.

• Proficiency with common workplace technology and software, including Google Suite, Zoom, Microsoft applications, and related tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree and/or law degree from an accredited institution.

• HRCI and/or SHRM professional certification.

• Experience in a higher education and/or public agency environment.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated salary hiring range is $95,000-$126,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a CSU Management Personnel Plan (MPP) position.

Fresno State provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; CalPERS retirement; sick and vacation time; 15 paid holidays per year; and eligibility for the CSU fee-waiver education program.

Learn more about Fresno State employee benefits:

https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/hr/benefits/index.html

Relocation assistance is available for discussion.

Why a Career with CSU is for You:

The CSU system offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet you where you're at in life and typically adds 30-35% to your total compensation package. For more information on programs available, take a closer look in the Employee Benefits Summary: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf

• Emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance with ample PTO and flexibility, which includes up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group/services).

• Enjoy the vibrant campus life with access to athletic and gym facilities, renowned sporting events, artist events, and world-renowned speakers.

• Numerous professional development opportunities to advance your career including tuition waivers for yourself, a spouse, registered domestic partner or an eligible dependent child across any of the 23 CSU campuses.

• Two different retirement plans catered to fit your personal saving goals: CalPERS Retirement Plan or 4