Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer/Director, Labor Relations

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited School of Law with a Juris Doctorate and
• Five (5) years of employment law, labor relations, industrial relations, or human resources experience.

• Eight (8) years of employment law, labor relations, industrial relations, or human resources experience.
• Six (6) years of previous management experience.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

The Cook County Department of Labor Relations is seeking a Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer/Director, Labor Relations. This position manages and directs the Labor/Employee Relations Division within the Department of Human Resources and serves as a primary member of the County’s labor negotiation team. The role is responsible for negotiating all collective bargaining agreements covering more than 20,000 County employees and ensuring proper implementation of contract terms. Key duties include preparing documentation for arbitration, presiding over third-step grievances, and overseeing training for supervisors on contract administration. The position consults confidentially with the President of the County Board to advise on labor matters, formulate management’s position, and execute strategies during negotiations.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

Job Summary

Manages and directs the Department of Human Resources Labor/Employee Relations Division participating as one of the primary members of the County’s labor negotiation team representing the County’s interest during contract negotiations. Responsible for the negotiation of all the collective bargaining agreements covering the County’s 20,000 plus employees. Administers and executes the implementation of the terms and conditions of the negotiated union contracts; prepares backup documents for and attends arbitration cases; presides over third-step grievances; oversees the educational training of County supervisors as it pertains to contract administration. Consults with the President of the County Board in a confidential capacity to advise, inform and receive directives; and, to formulate management’s position at the bargaining table.

Typical Job Duties

• Negotiates approximately all 80 of the County’s collective bargaining agreements for the majority of the County’s job classifications in order to comply with the Illinois Public labor Relations Act of 1984.
• Works closely with elected officials, union/labor officials, labor attorneys, and other to organize, schedule, and facilitate on-going negotiations, interest arbitrations, mediations, etc.
• Administers and executes the implementation of the terms and conditions of the negotiated union contracts in order to adhere to contract compliance.
• Gathers information needed, make the proper preparations and attends arbitration cases with the Special Assistant to the President for Labor so as to adequately represent the County during this process.
• Acts as a Liaison interacting with union business representatives, employees, departmental supervisors, Assistant State’s Attorneys concerning labor/employee relations issues and hearing decisions to resolve problems relating to pending grievances and issues currently in litigation or arbitration.
• Provides oversight to staff engaged in confidential third step grievance hearings for all County offices under the President of the County Board.
• Monitors the curriculum of the educational training of County department heads, managers and supervisors by the Training and Employee Development staff (Manager of Training and Development and Labor Relations Analyst III).

Required for all jobs

Performs other duties as assigned.