Director of Labor & Employee Relations (OA DOP 9/25)

Job Location: This position will be located at the Harry S Truman State Office Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Why you’ll love this position:

The Office of Administration (OA) serves as the administrative arm of the Governor’s Office, coordinating the central management functions of state government to help executive departments operate efficiently and effectively. OA includes seven divisions and a collective of boards, commissions, and programs. OA performs vital functions necessary for the operation of state government, from managing position classification, personnel compensation, talent management, centralized accounting, budgeting, information technology, document solutions, and procurement services to maintaining state buildings and beyond.

The Division of Personnel (DOP) is transforming the State of Missouri’s talent management approach to better serve the citizens of Missouri. We are committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing top talent across the State’s over 45,000 team member enterprise.

The State of Missouri is seeking a dedicated individual to act as the primary point of contact for labor relations inquiries and issues. This role involves negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), ensuring compliance with labor contracts, laws, and regulations, and advising leadership on labor relations policies and best practices. This position also oversees the statewide employee relations strategy and support across executive departments in a collaborative partnership to foster consistency and best practices statewide. In collaboration with department HR, the Director will ensure alignment with state personnel law, support proactive team member engagement efforts, and help build resilient and effective workplace cultures across the State of Missouri. As a part of the executive leadership in the Division of Personnel, this position will collaborate with other directors to ensure the success of statewide talent management programs.

Labor Relations

• Act as the primary point of contact for labor relations inquiries and issues for the State of Missouri.
• Assist in negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
• Interpret and ensure compliance with labor contracts, laws, and regulations.
• Advise leadership on labor relations policies, contract terms, and best practices.
• Assist agencies with employee grievances, mediating between management and unions to resolve disputes.
• Investigate and resolve labor-related conflicts while ensuring compliance with policies.
• Maintain positive working relationships with union representatives, employee groups and leadership.
• Collaborate with agency HR teams to ensure employee relations strategies align with labor agreements.
• Monitor changes in labor laws and ensure compliance with updated regulations.
• Provide training and education to management on labor relations and contract interpretation.
• Prepare reports, data, and analytics on labor relations trends and issues.

Create and deliver training to agency HR Teams on State Personnel Law, as prescribed in RSMo Chapter 36 and Division of Personnel Regulations, 1 CSR 20.

Collaborate with the DOP Finance and Administrative Manager to provide guidance and support for statewide fiscal notes.

Employee Relations

• Lead a statewide employee relations team to assist HR-ER teams in setting a strategy to foster a positive and productive work environment.
• Provide leadership in aligning employee relations practices with the State’s broader talent management strategy, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and performance management.
• Create and implement mediation services to assist state agencies as needed.
• Build and sustain strong business relationships to influence their approach and promote good employee relations across the state government.
• Oversee statewide programs that contribute to the team member experience.
• Leverage workforce data and analytics to identify trends, inform policy, and develop targeted interventions that enhance employee relations and retention.
• Ensure alignment of employee relations strategies with division initiatives and strategic plan.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in the following areas: Human Resources, Business, or Public Administration, Labor or Industrial Relations, Law, Social Sciences, Education or closely related field. Substitutions may apply. (Additional education or experience may substitute for the required education or experience)
• Five years of relevant experience in employee development, employee or labor relations, recruitment and selection, compensation, employee benefits, or position classification. (Substitutions may be allowed.)

Preferred Qualifications:

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills:

• Employment Law : Knowledge of hiring, classification, benefits, labor relations, negotiation, and Federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Employee Relations: Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, case law, principles, and practices related to employee conduct, performance, and dispute resolution.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills: They must be adept at mediating disputes, finding common ground, and reaching mutually agreeable outcomes.
• Emotional Intelligence: The ability to perceive, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. It involves being able to recognize and regulate emotions, empathize with others, and effectively communicate and interact with others in a positive and constructive manner. (empathy, effective communication, social skills, self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation)
• Courage to Challenge : Shows courage and confidence to speak up professionally, skillfully, challenging others even when confronted with resistance or unfamiliar circumstances.
• Skilled Influencer: Demonstrates the ability to influence and engage to gain the necessary commitment and support from others in pursuit of organizational value and success.
• Decisive: Demonstrates the ability to analyze and understand data and information quickly. Uses information, insights, and knowledge in a structured way to identify options, makes and owns recommendations that are robust and credible decisions.
• Strong communication skills: Effective verbal and written communication is crucial for interacting with various stakeholders, including employees, union representatives, and management.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: Analyze complex situations, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Successful background check results are required for employment in this position. This may include background checks involving a candidate's name and/or fingerprints and other screenings as needed for the specific position.

Authorization to work in the United States is a prerequisite of employment. The Office of Administration will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

OARecruiters@oa.mo.gov

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• State of Missouri

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