Manager, Employee and Labor Relations

Title:

Manager, Employee and Labor Relations

Job Type:

Regular

Company:

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Department:

Human Resources Management

Time Type:

Full time

Weekly Hours:

40

FTE:

1

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Summary:

About the Role:
At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, our people are at the heart of everything we do. In this role, you will lead our Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) function, helping to create a workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work.
You will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, guiding how we handle employee relations, union partnerships, and workplace concerns. Your work will directly support a fair, consistent, and legally compliant environment, which ultimately helps us deliver on our mission to improve the lives of patients and families.
This is an opportunity for a thoughtful, experienced leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong relationships, and developing a high-performing team.
The starting annual salary for this position is $115, 283 and this can include a comprehensive benefits package.

What You’ll Do
In this role, you will:

Lead and develop a team of employee relations professionals, setting priorities and guiding daily work
Partner with leaders across the organization to navigate employee concerns, performance issues, and workplace conflict
Oversee the administration of collective bargaining agreements and support positive union relationships
Manage and advise on workplace investigations, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes
Handle complex employee relations cases, including grievances and disciplinary actions
Support dispute resolution efforts, including preparing for arbitration when needed
Provide training and coaching to leaders on employee relations best practices
Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations to reduce organizational risk
Drive strategies that foster a respectful, inclusive, and productive work environment


What You’ll Bring:
We are looking for someone who combines strong expertise with a collaborative, people-first mindset. You may be a great fit if you have:

Experience leading employee and labor relations in a complex, unionized environment
A strong track record working with collective bargaining agreements and grievance processes
Confidence managing sensitive and high-risk workplace investigations independently
Experience preparing cases for arbitration and interpreting labor contracts
At least 2 years of experience leading and developing a team
The ability to influence and coach leaders through challenging situations
A deep understanding of employment laws and how to apply them in real-world scenarios

Preferred qualifications include:
A Master’s degree in Industrial or Labor Relations, Human Resources, or a related field or a Juris Doctor (JD) with a focus on employment law
Senior HR certifications such as SPHR, SHRM-SCP, or PHR
Advanced training in mediation, investigations, or dispute resolution


Why You’ll Love Working Here:
At Roswell Park, your work has purpose. Every role contributes to advancing cancer research, treatment, and care.
Here is what makes us a great place to grow your career:

Mission-driven work that makes a real difference in people’s lives
Collaborative culture where your voice and expertise are valued
Opportunities to lead and grow, both professionally and personally
Commitment to inclusion and respect across our workforce
Comprehensive benefits that support your health, well-being, and future

Join us and help create a workplace where our people can thrive so they can continue delivering exceptional care to those who need it most.

Qualifications:

Required Education and Experience
1. Master’s degree and the equivalent of four (4) years of full-time experience in employee and labor relations; or
2. Bachelor’s degree and the equivalent of six (6) years of full-time experience in employee and labor relations

NOTE:
Required degrees must have been granted by an accredited college or university or one recognized by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as following acceptable educational practices.

Master’s or Law Degree: A Master’s degree in Industrial/Labor Relations (MILR), Human Resources Management, or a Juris Doctor (JD) specializing in employment law.

 

Senior HR Credentials: Industry-recognized senior certifications such as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), or Professional in Human Resources (PHR).

 

Formal training certifications in advanced mediation, dispute resolution, or objective workplace investigation techniques.

 

Union Environment Mastery: Experience operating within highly complex, multi-union environments, including a proven track record of handling collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).

 

Leadership and Supervision: Over 2 years of direct supervisory experience leading and developing a specialized team of employee relations professionals or HR generalists.

 

High-Risk Case Management: Proven history of independently directing complex workplace investigations and providing defensible disciplinary recommendations to management.

 

Arbitration & Grievances: Practical knowledge of steps preceding litigation, including contract interpretation, formal grievance administration, and labor arbitration preparation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation (RPCIC) and Health Research Inc. (HRI) Roswell Park Division believe that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunities, and we do not discriminate against our employees, applicants or job seekers because of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, creed, age, disability, pregnancy-related condition, military or veteran status, marital or familial status, domestic violence victim status, citizenship status, genetic information, individual’s relationship or association with a member of a protected category or any other protected group status as defined by law.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

RPCIC and HRI are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Our Core Values

RPCIC and HRI are committed to providing an environment where patients, families, employees and community are treated with courtesy and respect. We support an inclusive environment that nurtures the talents, skills and abilities of each individual to embody and reflect our core values: Innovation, Integrity, Teamwork, Commitment, Compassion and Respect.

Historical Compensation Information Statement 

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected].