Manager, Labor and Employee Relations

PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a labor and employee relations manager to support the Human Resources department. This position will play a central role in administering collective bargaining agreements, supporting managers and employees on labor-related matters, and ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws and organizational policies. This is a full-time position based in PEN America’s New York City headquarters and reports to the director, human resources.

The labor and employee relations manager will work closely with the director and senior manager of human resources, organizational leadership, and outside counsel to manage grievance processes, arbitration matters, and other labor relations issues. The manager will provide management with proper guidance on labor relations best practices, ensuring legal and contractual compliance with organizational policies. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach to navigating complex and often sensitive workplace issues in a unionized environment.

This position is subject to a six-month probationary period and assessment. In alignment with PEN America’s current policy, all applicants should be available to report to the office at least three days per week. This policy is subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, and support the negotiation process to ensure consistent and equitable application across the organization


• Identify, create, and modify standardized processes to properly implement CBA provisions and organizational policies


• Collaborate with and advise management in the identification and resolution of potential collective bargaining issues


• Provide guidance and training to supervisors on labor relations best practices, including performance management, conflict resolution, and documentation


• Cultivate effective relationships with all staff and union leadership


• Manage all communications with union representatives, serving as a liaison between management and union representatives


• Coordinate and assist senior management and outside counsel on union grievance resolutions, and arbitration preparation as needed


• Support employee relations matters, including investigations, performance issues, and disciplinary actions, in accordance with organizational policies and legal requirements


• Ensure employee handbook and policies are up-to-date and legally compliant; monitor compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws


• Support implementation and use of performance management tools for all staff


• Partner with operations manager to develop and coordinate employee engagement initiatives


• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to labor relations matters


• Collaborate with HR leadership on policy development, performance management, and other HR initiatives, ensuring cohesiveness between union and all staff policies, practices and communications


• Other duties as assigned

All PEN America staff are considered to be stakeholders in the development of our shared organization. As such, staff play a role in varied activities within the workplace as part of their job responsibilities. These may include committees or task forces to work on office issues, diversity and inclusion, strategy projects, training or other initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three to five years of experience in labor relations, employee relations, or human resources, with direct experience in a unionized environment


• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, and labor law compliance


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and complex issues with discretion and professionalism


• Excellent negotiation, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail


• Knowledge of employment law and practices, as well as federal, state, and local labor laws


• Experience administering leaves of absence and legal compliance (FMLA, ADA), a plus


• Must be able to provide valid proof of U.S. work authorization


• Commitment to PEN America’s mission, centered on the celebration and defense of free expression for all. Willingness to defend the right to engage in speech that may be offensive and discomfiting and that reflects a wide range of political opinions and ideologies. PEN America promotes open and respectful dialogue across difference, and we work to allow a diversity of perspectives to flourish.


• Commitment to PEN America’s advocacy and support for writers, artists and their allies around the world, without regard to the ideology or actions of their country's government

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and full benefits. The salary range for this position is $80,000-95,000, commensurate with experience. Candidates whose expectations are outside this range are welcome to apply, as PEN America is open to considering talented individuals at varying stages of their careers. PEN America's benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision health insurance, paid time off, 10 paid holidays, pre-tax commuter benefits and a 403b retirement plan. 

TO APPLY:

Please submit a complete application (including a cover letter and resume) via BambooHR. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and is committed to having a workforce that reflects the population that it serves at all levels within the organization.

No phone calls, please.  

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.