Director of Labor Relations

The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) is a state secretariat whose mission is to be the primary advocate for all veterans in the Commonwealth and provide them with quality support services. To accomplish this, EOVS administers an array of programs and services, such as needs-based financial benefits program (Chapter 115), coordinating with municipal Veteran Services Officers located in every community in the Commonwealth, which provides direct financial assistance and annuity benefits to veterans and eligible next of kin, funding to organizations offering homelessness, transitional housing, and outreach to veterans, connections to Massachusetts Career Center veteran employment services, operating two State Operated Veterans Homes which provide skilled nursing care to eligible veterans, and two state veterans cemeteries, and employing two unique and mission-critical outreach teams: The SAVE Suicide Prevention Team, and Women Veterans' Network. In addition, EOVS is the only representative for all state agencies and for individual veterans before the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs in securing federal compensation and other available benefits.

The vision of EOVS is to ensure that Massachusetts is a place where all veterans and their families have awareness of and access to the benefits and to the services earned, that they are respected for the service they have rendered and are able to live healthy and productive lives.

The Director of Labor Relations reports to the Secretariat General Counsel. In this role, the Director of Labor Relations will be responsible for liaising with multiple unions and union representatives at all EOVS locations. Additionally, the Director of Labor Relations will provide advice to management on Collective Bargaining Agreements and assist in implementing the organization’s goals while adhering to union agreements. 

The Director of Labor Relations will be an experienced professional in labor relations, human resources, and ideally with experience managing in a multiple union environment. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

1.Develop and exercise an efficient system of control for planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of labor relations processes; identify process improvement opportunities and implementation strategies and initiate appropriate action; ensure that labor relations priorities and strategies are established, communication and action plans are developed and effectively implemented; ensure collaborative problem solving and decision-making processes.   

2. Plan, direct, monitor and evaluate grievance administration processes; design and implement management controls and coordinate tracking efforts; evaluate and improve communication strategies; identify process improvement opportunities and implementation strategies; facilitate operational problem solving and decision-making; provide technical assistance to managerial staff in agencies and regional offices.

3. Plan, direct, monitor and evaluate contract administration processes; design and implement training programs for managers and supervisors on contract provisions, employment laws, rules and regulations, policy and current and emerging issues; design and implement management controls and coordinate tracking efforts; evaluate and improve communication strategies; identify process improvement opportunities and implementation strategies; facilitate operational problem solving and decision-making; provide technical assistance to managerial staff.

4. Plan, direct, monitor and evaluate disciplinary action processes; support appointing authority through communication, documentation and corrective language; ensure consistency in operational decision-making within facilities and across statewide offices and that established defensible standards of practice are followed; design and implement management controls and coordinate tracking efforts; evaluate and improve communication strategies; identify process improvement opportunities and implementation strategies; facilitate