Assistant or Associate Provost for Labor Relations

Office of the Provost

Duties & Responsibilities

Assistant Provost for Labor Relations

Confidential Labor Relations Advisor

• Serve as an advisor to the Provost and the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs on matters involving faculty collective bargaining agreements, labor-management relations, and related institutional policy. Analyze and elevate matters presenting significant legal, operational, or reputational risk in consultation with leadership.
• Provide operational leadership and coordination for labor relations activities across academic units, working closely with campus HR administration, college and department administrators, and HR professionals.
• Advise deans, department heads, and academic administrators on the interpretation and administration of faculty collective bargaining agreements, including those with the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC), Uni Faculty Organization (UFO), and Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).
• Coordinate institutional responses to grievances filed by represented faculty or labor representatives, including preparation of grievance responses, supporting documentation, and coordination with relevant campus partners.
• Participate in Labor Management Meetings (LMM) and other labor relations forums involving recognized faculty unions, representing the Office of the Provost as appropriate.
  
  Support preparation of materials related to faculty collective bargaining negotiations, including analysis of proposals, development of background materials, and coordination with campus partners.
• Coordinate with the Associate Provost for Faculty Employee Relations on matters involving represented faculty when employment actions or disciplinary issues intersect with collective bargaining agreements.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Review grievance activity and
  related labor relations matters to identify emerging issues or trends and
  provide analysis to support institutional response and strategy.
• Support consistent
  interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements across
  colleges and academic units, providing guidance and identifying issues
  requiring further review or escalation.

Policy Development and Administration

• Maintain awareness of federal and state laws affecting faculty labor relations, including the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act and other relevant statutes, and assist in advising campus leaders on their application
• Contribute to the development, revision, and interpretation of faculty employment policies and Provost communications with implications for collective bargaining agreements and represented faculty.
• Serve as the Office of the Provost liaison on relevant campus and system committees and professional organizations related to faculty labor relations, which may include labor advisory groups, relevant Senate committees, the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Committee on Faculty Affairs.

Other Work Activities

• Develop and deliver training for deans, department heads, and campus leaders on collective bargaining agreements, grievance processes, and faculty labor relations practices.
• Coordinate with Illinois Human Resources Labor and Employee Relations and other campus partners to ensure alignment in institutional responses involving represented faculty.
• Support cross-training and provide backup coverage within the faculty employee relations portfolio as needed.

Associate Provost for Labor Relations

Senior and Confidential Labor Relations Advisor

• Serve as a senior advisor to the
  Provost and Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs on matters involving
  faculty collective bargaining agreements, labor-management relations, and
  related institutional policy. Assess and elevate matters with significant
  legal, operational, or reputational risk.
• Advise senior academic leaders
  on the interpretation and administration of faculty collective bargaining agreements,
  including those with the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC), Uni Faculty
  Organization (UFO), and Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).
• Represent the Office of the
  Provost in Labor Management Meetings (LMM) and other labor relations forums involving
  recognized faculty unions.
• Provide strategic leadership
  within the Office of the Provost related to academic labor contract negotiations.
  Contribute to the development of campus negotiation strategies for faculty
  collective bargaining and support preparation of proposals and counterproposals
  in collaboration with campus partners.
• Provide institutional oversight
  and strategic guidance on responses to grievances filed by represented faculty
  and labor representatives. Identify trends and systemic concerns and recommend
  strategies to reduce grievances, disputes, and unfair labor practice (ULP)
  claims.
• Establish and maintain
  constructive and collaborative relationships with NTFC and UFO business agents
  and representatives of recognized labor organizations to support productive
  labor-management relations.
• Coordinate with the Associate
  Provost for Faculty Employee Relations on matters involving represented faculty
  that include misconduct allegations, disciplinary actions, or complex
  employment disputes.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Advise campus leadership on
  institutional labor relations strategy and emerging risks associated with collective
  bargaining, grievance activity, and union engagement.
• Promote consistent
  interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements across
  colleges and academic units, working with academic leadership and HR partners
  to address areas requiring institutional guidance or clarification.

Policy Development and
Administration

• Maintain expert awareness of and
  advise campus leadership on the interpretation and application of federal and
  state laws affecting faculty labor relations, including the Illinois
  Educational Labor Relations Act and other relevant statutes.
• Contribute to the development,
  revision, and institutional interpretation of faculty employment policies and
  Provost communications with implications for collective bargaining agreements
  and represented faculty.
• Serve as the Office of the
  Provost liaison on relevant campus and system committees and professional organizations
  related to faculty labor relations, which may include labor advisory groups,
  relevant Senate committees, the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), and the
  Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Committee on Faculty
  Affairs.
• Maintain active coordination
  with University of Illinois System offices and peer system universities on matters
  related to faculty labor relations, monitoring emerging labor trends and
  advising senior leadership on potential institutional implications.

Other Work Activities

• Develop and deliver training for
  deans, department heads, and campus leaders on faculty labor relations, collective
  bargaining agreements, and grievance processes.
• Coordinate with Illinois Human
  Resources Labor and Employee Relations and other campus partners to ensure
  alignment in institutional responses involving represented faculty.
• Support cross-training and
  provide strategic backup coverage within the portfolio as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human resources, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Law (J.D.), or a related field.
  
• (Assistant level) Minimum six years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, employee relations, human resources, or higher education administration, including at least three years’ experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or within the University of Illinois System.
  Demonstrated experience administering collective bargaining agreements and coordinating grievance processes. Experience advising academic administrators or comparable leadership on labor relations matters.
• (Associate level) Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, employee relations, human resources, or higher education administration at the college or campus administration levels, including at least five years’ experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or within the University of Illinois System. Demonstrated experience working with collective bargaining agreements, grievance administration, and labor-management relations. Experience advising senior leaders or administrators on complex employment or labor relations matters. Experience interpreting and applying employment or labor law in an organizational setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• (Assistant level) Experience supporting collective bargaining negotiations in higher education or a similarly complex organizational environment. Experience working within faculty governance or collective bargaining frameworks.
• (Associate level) Experience supporting or participating in collective bargaining negotiations in higher education or a similarly complex organizational environment.  Experience working in a large public research university or similarly complex
  institutional setting. Experience developing policy guidance, training, or institutional practices related to labor relations or employment law.
  

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary for the Assistant Provost level is $120,000- $170,000 and for the Associate Provost level$160,000- $220,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on May 13, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. For full consideration, application material should include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jennifer Steiling at [email protected]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected].

Requisition ID: 1036015
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu