Advisor Workplace Relations

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) department creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to survive and thrive in the United States and in Europe. RAI is a leading provider of diverse programs including: Resettlement & Processing, Economic Empowerment, Health & Wellness, Immigration & Citizenship, Food & Agriculture, Women’s Protection & Empowerment, Anti-Trafficking, Children & Youth, Asylum Seeking Families, Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange, Technical Assistance to Refugee Service Providers, and Office of Refugee Resettlement administration on behalf of West Texas, Kansas, and New Jersey. RAI serves more than 100,000 individuals each year in the US, including thousands of newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers as well as the broader immigrant community, through it’s diverse portfolio of programs aimed at five core outcomes of Health, Safety, Economic Wellbeing, Education and Power.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Director of Workplace Relations will provide governance, oversight and ongoing management of labor relations specific to the elected Union in our Dallas, Texas office, other collective employee groups, and/or significant workplace trends across RAI program offices in the United States and abroad. The role reports to the RAI Sr. Director of People & Culture, and works in partnership with others throughout the IRC People & Culture function, the IRC General Counsel, and the RAI Program Delivery management who design, govern, and implement our client services. This position plays a critical role in fostering positive employer-employee relationships; integrating equality, equity and inclusion to the workplace; ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements; coaching managers to navigate complex employment issues; addressing union and/or employee grievances; and promoting a fair and constructive work environment to best serve clients.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement workplace programs and initiatives to foster a positive work environment.
• Build a workplace relations strategy to create business understanding, support core processes, systems and structures in alignment to the IRC strategy.
• Coordinate and consult the cross-functional IRC efforts related to collective bargaining agreements, any joint union management initiatives, significant labor issues, and/or third-party interventions as appropriate.
• Represent the IRC on all formal and informal workplace relations matters with Union representatives at all levels ensuring compliance with any agreement with labor unions that are in place.
• Work with leadership to determine the needs of the organization and partner with union representatives to address requests and work towards resolutions. This includes drafting initial proposals and reviewing union requests and feedback.
• Advise and educate employees on policies, benefits, and employee assistance programs, in partnership with union representatives and office management to address any special requests or needs that arise.
• Prepare and coordinate formal and informal communications to IRC Management, Employees, Donors and Government officials as necessary.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on contracts and manage and handle all escalated employee issues or problems related to the interpretation of any union contract in place.
• Coordinate training and advise local leadership on successful management practices relative to the terms and conditions outlined in terms and conditions of local employment, union contracts and laws.
• US Labor law compliance: Stay abreast of labor law requirements applicable to the jurisdictions in which IRC operates. Collaborate with colleagues to develop and communicate materials in support of labor law compliance. Advise office leaders and lead ongoing compliance training efforts.
• Employee-Employer Relations: may lead intake, make recommendations, and support resolution of highly sensitive employee-employer relations matters and workplace investigations as necessary.
• Other employee relationship duties as requested. IRC is a dynamic organization, and needs may evolve and change over time.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Sr. Director RAI P&C
Position directly supervises: n/a

Indirect Reporting: n/a
Other Internal: People & Culture Executive Leadership, RAI Executive Leadership, General Counsel’s Office, Dallas Program Office Staff at all levels

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelors Degree in HR, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related field; Masters or Juris Doctor valued.

Work Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years related work experience in progressively responsible labor relations roles.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Strong working knowledge of and experience in multiple human resource disciplines including employee relations, labor law, performance management, learning & development, change management, organizational development, and compensation/benefits
• Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Proven problem solving and customer service skills resulting in the ability to successfully provide support to staff and guide managers on complex issues
• Strong project management, analytical, written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in a multi-cultural and/or non-profit organization highly desirable
• Ability to travel domestically

Working Environment: remote work from home, or hybrid model where IRC offices are located; travel as needed to locations (estimated 10 of the time).

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US Benefits:

The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.

**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.