Senior Counsel – Labor Relations and Employee Health

Position Summary

Career Interest : The Senior Counsel Labor Relations and Employee Health develops, directs, and administers the University of Kansas Hospital Authority's labor relations strategies and policies, represents UKHA on all labor relations negotiations and matters, and provides legal support to the Employee Health department's compliance, case management, and litigation matters.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Establishes and maintains satisfactory labor-management relations, interprets and administers the Memoranda of Agreement and other union-related agreements, and assists with and / or handles grievances.
• Serves as the primary advisor on labor relations and advises all levels of management and human resources on labor law compliance, employee relations, collective bargaining and other labor-related issues.
• Leads all aspects of labor negotiations, including preparing for negotiations, drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements with unions, and implementing those agreements.
• Represent UKHA in administrative proceedings, arbitration hearings, and other dispute resolution forums, and advocates for UKHA’s interests while maintaining positive labor relations.
• Collaborates and manages relationships with external labor organizations, outside counsel, consultants, and industry associations as needed to support UKHA’s labor objectives.
• Provides strategic legal advice to the Employee Health department, including worker’s compensation matters, employee pre-boarding processes, workplace exposures, and immunizations, to comply with applicable laws, minimize legal risk and liability, and reduce litigation and litigation-related costs.
• Works proactively to counsel and train management and human resources on positive employee relations and labor issues.
• Monitors and understands changes in regulations / laws, workforce trends, and best practices relating to labor, Employee Health matters, and workers’ compensation, and evaluates / modifies UKHA policies to conform to such changes, trends, and best practices.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.
• 10 or more years in a law firm and / or an in-house legal department
• 5 or more years of labor relations experience, negotiating successful labor relations agreements, and managing an organization’s labor relations function.
• 3 or more years of general and workers’ compensation litigation experience.

Required Licensure and Certification

• License to Practice Law - State Bar Association
• Admission in good standing to the Kansas Bar, or member in good standing of another state bar and registered as in-house counsel in the state of Kansas.

Preferred Licensure and Certification

Required Language Skills

Advanced English - Read, write, and speak English

Knowledge Requirements

• Significant experience in dispute resolution and contract analysis with strong negotiation skills.
• Strong academic credentials and solid work ethic.
• Stellar analytical, verbal and written communication, negotiation, and influence skills.
• Broad background in handling traditional labor law matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, grievance handling, arbitrations, and proceedings before administrative agencies.
• Broad background in providing solid and collaborative advice and counsel to human resources and management in labor-related, compliance, and workers’ compensation matters.
• Up-to-date knowledge of labor issues, workers’ compensation developments, and case law.
• Ability to work efficiently and independently under tight deadlines and pressures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365
• Combination of law firm and in-house legal experience preferred
• Combination of general and worker’s compensation litigation preferred
• Comprehensive business knowledge in specific human resources functions preferred.
• Understanding of human resources principles, policies, practices and compliance requirements preferred.
• Experience in planning, directing and organizing labor activities of a public employer and experience with the NLRB or PERB preferred.
• Experience in advising on and handling employment law issues and claims preferred.
• Experience working in the academic medical center space preferred.

Time Type : Full time

Full time

Job Requisition ID : R-37365

R-37365