Executive Director, Labor Relations
At a glance
Director-level Employee Relations & Culture role at Minneapolis Public Schools. Minneapolis · $164,221–$205,276 base.
hrroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Set discipline standards, review HRBP recommendations and keep corrective actions consistent across schools and departments
- Lead timely, impartial investigations with sound evidence and documentation, and coach leaders on when to involve HRBPs
- Negotiate assigned bargaining-unit contracts by setting strategy, drafting proposals, costing terms and analyzing data
- Guide contract interpretation, grievance responses and mediation, while helping leaders apply work rules consistently
- Supervise department staff by setting priorities, reviewing work quality, developing skills and balancing workloads
What you bring
- A master’s degree in human resources, business administration, public administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination approved by HR
- At least five years overseeing HR, labor relations or discipline and investigation work in a complex setting
- Knowledge of union labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, investigations, just-cause standards and employment law
- An active Minnesota driver’s license, which must be maintained during employment
Who this fits
This director-level role suits someone who can lead labor negotiations and investigations while supervising staff and advising school and department leaders. Work is office- and field-based, with occasional travel to different locations. A final appointment depends on passing a criminal background check.
From the employer
Below is specific information for you to consider about this position.
Job Title: Executive Director, Labor Relations and Requisition ID number: 104962
Close Date: 11:59 PM on
Organizational Unit: Human Resources Business Partnerships (10000138)
Site: Davis Center (0001)
FTE: 1.0; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time
Union: Non-Represented(44)
Functional Area: Administrative
Salary Range: $164,221 - $205,276
Benefits: Dental insurance | Health insurance | Vision insurance | Paid time off | HSA & FSA | Retirement plan
Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.
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SUMMARY
Under the general guidance of the Senior Human Resources Officer, the Executive Director of Labor Relations provides leadership for Minneapolis Public Schools’ labor relations functions. The role oversees discipline and investigatory processes, ensuring consistent and aligned corrective action and discipline across the District. The Executive Director also oversees labor negotiations and labor management collaboration, contract administration, the consistent application of all collective bargaining agreements, and unemployment case management. The Executive Director supports principals and managers in resolving performance and conduct issues early, applies work rules with fidelity, and advances stable, productive relationships with union partners.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Directs employee discipline processes to ensure consistency, just cause, and defensible documentation. Establishes discipline standards, reviews HRBP recommendations, and ensures alignment across schools and departments. Ensures all investigations are timely, thorough, and impartial.
• Leads investigations within their assigned portfolio, ensuring they meet standards for timeliness, thoroughness, impartiality, and just cause.
• Ensures leaders understand their role in coaching, documenting, and reporting concerns, and the point at which issues must be elevated to HRBPs for discipline or investigation.
• Provides guidance to leaders and departments on contract language; ensures consistent application of work rules.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with union leadership; facilitates problem solving discussions; identifies opportunities to strengthen collaboration.
• Leads negotiations for designated bargaining units, sets strategy, drafts proposals, coordinates costing, and analyzes data to ensure negotiations reflect district priorities and fiscal parameters. Supports HR Business Partners in negotiations when appropriate.
• Provides strategic, analytical, and operational support to the SHRO for all other contracts, including research, costing, proposal drafting, and coordination with departments to ensure alignment across the district.
• Works with internal partners to operationalize changes resulting from negotiations, ensuring updates to staffing, processes, and work rules are implemented accurately and consistently.
• Oversees grievance intake, responses, and mediation; ensures timely, contract aligned handling of disputes.
• Sets clear priorities for the department, develops staff skills, conducts performance evaluations, and provides ongoing feedback. Reviews work to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to standards, and oversees workload distribution to maintain balanced, efficient operations.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To successfully perform job, incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed are representative of the knowledge and skills.
Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, a related field; AND
• Five (5) years of experience overseeing human resources, labor relations, or discipline/investigation processes in a complex environment; OR
• A equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.
Knowledge of:
• Labor relations, collective bargaining administration, and labor management collaboration in a unionized environment.
• Just cause, evidentiary requirements, investigatory procedures, and progressive discipline frameworks.
• Interpretation, application, and operationalization of collective bargaining agreements.
• State and federal labor and employment laws and compliance requirements.
• Bargaining preparation, costing, proposal development, and negotiations strategy in a public sector context.
• Mediation and dispute resolution practices.
• Documentation requirements, investigatory records, and personnel file standards.
• Clear, neutral, and confidential written and verbal communication practices.
Skill in:
• Applying just cause standards to ensure discipline decisions are consistent, evidence based, and defensible.
• Investigating employee conduct in a timely, thorough way that meets evidentiary and procedural requirements.
• Negotiating agreements by preparing proposals, analyzing costing, and executing bargaining strategy.
• Interpreting collective bargaining agreements and applying contract language accurately across varied operational contexts.
• Coaching leaders on documentation and coaching.
• Building labor management relationships that support collaboration and problem solving.
• Supervising staff by setting priorities, assigning work, developing skills, and providing ongoing feedback.
• Analyzing data to identify trends in discipline, grievances, arbitration outcomes, and unemployment claims.
• Communicating with clarity and neutrality in written and verbal formats for diverse audiences.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• Minnesota Driver’s License.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Mobility to work in an office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to walk, stand and sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 0 pounds; vision to read printed materials and computer screens; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an office field setting. Subject to occasional travel to a variety of locations.
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
Bargaining Unit: Non-Rep
Grade: E19
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Group: District Administration
Revised: August 24, 2026
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Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee. Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready. Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.
Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.
Posting Notes: | 12:01 AM On | Human Resources Business Partnerships (10000138) | Davis Center (0001) | Administrative