Executive Director: Employee Relations
JOB SUMMARY
Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for employee and labor relations functions across Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Directs collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance resolution, and employee relations programs that support workforce stability and organizational effectiveness aligned with the AACPS Strategic Plan and system priorities. Guides the development and implementation of labor relations strategies and serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership on labor and employee relations matters. Promotes the consistent application of negotiated agreements, Board policies, administrative procedures, and employment practices across the school system while fostering productive labor-management relationships and mitigating organizational risk.
Additional Work Days/Hours
Based on the assignment, the following additional work days and/or hours may be required as needed:
- Ability to work flexible schedules
- Emergencies
- Evenings/Nights
- Extended hours
- Holidays
- Outside of normal business hours
Summer hours
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ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
- Shapes the development and implementation of systemwide employee and labor relations strategies, priorities, programs, and accountability measures aligned with organizational goals and workforce needs.
- Serves as the chief negotiator for the Board of Education in collective bargaining and represents the school system in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, impasse proceedings, and other labor-management matters.
- Leads the administration and interpretation of negotiated agreements, providing guidance and consultation to administrators and supervisors to support the consistent application of contract provisions, Board policies, administrative procedures, and employment practices.
- Directs the grievance, complaint, and dispute resolution processes, ensuring concerns are addressed in a timely, equitable, and legally compliant manner while promoting productive labor-management relationships.
- Advises the Superintendent, Board of Education, Chief Human Resources Officer, and executive leadership on labor relations strategy, workforce issues, collective bargaining matters, emerging trends, and organizational risks, providing recommendations to support informed decision-making.
- Coordinates the development of bargaining proposals, position statements, supporting documentation, cost analyses, and related materials to support negotiations and Board decision-making.
- Facilitates cross-functional efforts with Human Resources, Legal Services, Finance, and other offices to develop and implement labor-management strategies, respond to complex employee relations matters, and support organizational priorities.
- Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with employee association representatives to foster effective communication, resolve complex issues, and support collaborative labor-management partnerships.
- Oversees the preparation, publication, distribution, and implementation support of negotiated agreements and related employee relations communications, guidance, and resources.
- Monitors labor relations trends, workforce data, legal developments, and best practices to inform recommendations, mitigate risk, and support continuous improvement efforts.
- Supervises, evaluates, and develops assigned staff; manages department resources; and promotes a culture of professionalism, collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education
- Master's Degree in business or public administration, human resources management, labor relations, law, or a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required;
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Experience
- 10 or more years relevant progressively more responsible experience in employee and labor relations required required; and
- 10 or more years related management experience required;
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed sufficient to prepare the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics
- Extensive knowledge of labor relations laws, negotiation techniques, and contract preparation.
- Knowledge of AACPS Negotiated Agreements, Policies and Regulations and Employment Law.
- Demonstrated successful management experience.
- Ability to interpret and explain bargaining issues and to formulate bargaining positions.
- Ability to resolve disputes in accordance with established labor/employee relations principles.
- Demonstrated excellence establishing and maintaining high customer service standards.
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
- Familiarity with the use and application of computerized central record-keeping systems.
- Ability to create a positive environment that values, respects and leverages all employee talents while providing fair advancement for all employees.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
- Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).
Licenses and Certifications
Employee must retain active licenses, certifications, and enrollment as a condition of employment.
- Hold or be eligible for Driver's License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required; and
- Daily access to reliable transportation.
Driving Requirements
- Driving is required to conduct bona fide Board business that is within the scope of employment in this position.
Personal Vehicle
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LEADERSHIP ROLE
First level supervisor
People Management
- This position acts as the manager for 1 to 5 direct staff.
- This position acts as the manager for indirect staff.
This position manages 1 to 2 departments.
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Management Duties/Responsibilities
- Interviews, selects, and trains employees.
- Sets/adjusts pay rate and work hours.
- Directs the work of employees.
- Maintains records for use in supervision.
- Assess employees’ performance (productivity/efficiency) to make promotional recommendation/other status changes.
- Handles employee complaints/grievances.
- Disciplines employees.
- Plans the work.
- Determines the techniques to use.
- Apportions the work among the employees.
- Determines the type of materials, supplies, machinery, equipment or tools to be used of materials or merchandise to be brought, stocked and sold.
- Controls the flow and distribution of materials or merchandise and supplies.
- Provides for the safety and security of the employees or the property.
- Plans and controls the budget.
Monitors and implements legal compliance measures.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
- Standing: under 1/3 of the time
- Walking: under 1/3 of the time
- Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
- Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
- Talking: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
- Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
- Driving: under 1/3 of the time
- As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Vision
The vision demands with correction described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- No special vision requirements
Work Environment
Location
- Office, school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 of the time
Noise Level
- Moderate: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
Weight & Force
Lifting and carrying requirements
Up to 10 pounds: under 1/3 of the time
Travel Requirements
5% day travel within the county
JOB INFORMATION
Established Date:
3/1/2003
Title:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Alternate Title:
Executive Director: Employee Relations
Reports to Generic:
Chief Officer
Reports to Specific:
OFFICER: CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES
ORGANIZATION
Division:
Human Resources
Business Unit:
Employee Relations
Negotiated Agreement:
N/A
HR JOB INFORMATION
FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt
Grade:
EG03
Terms of Employment, Benefits and Salary Scale. Scroll down to locate (Unit 6 – Executive Salaries)
Job Family:
Executive/Cabinet
Sub-Function:
Executive Level
