Executive Director, Employee and Labor Relations

Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS), Connecticut’s leading healthcare system, was formed in 1996 to enhance the quality and scope of healthcare services for residents of Connecticut and beyond. An integrated health system, YNHHS includes Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial, Yale New Haven and Westerly hospitals (together operating across seven campuses); Northeast Medical Group (a physician foundation of primary and medical specialists); a skilled nursing facility; post-acute care and home care programs; and numerous outpatient locations delivery ambulatory services. YNHHS has clinical relationships with several other hospitals in Connecticut and is affiliated with Yale School of Medicine.

The Executive Director of Employee & Labor Relations is a newly created position to provide oversight for employee and labor relations services across the system. The role will play a critical leadership role in initiatives aimed at proactively addressing workplace concerns and improving employee engagement and workplace performance. The Executive Director is responsible for implementing a labor relations strategy centered on cultivating positive employee and labor relations aligned with YNHHS culture and values. This person will represent the organization’s interests in all union contract negotiations and will be responsible for the implementation and administration of collective bargaining agreements and applicable policies. The Executive Director will seek to implement proactive employee and labor initiatives to promote employee engagement and decrease risk and will advise and educate employees on labor and employee relations matters to assure compliance.

Qualifications and ideal skills:

• An undergraduate degree is required, and a graduate degree is preferred.
• A strong preference exists for human resources leadership experience in a health system.
• Minimum of seven to ten (7-10) years of progressive generalist leadership experience.
• Strong experience with labor relations operations in a union setting required. Experience with union contract negotiations is a requirement as is familiarity with the collective bargaining grievance process and problem resolution.
• Demonstrated experience in an evolving culture and operating model; the successful candidate must be adaptable and effective at leading change in addition to being part of change.
• Demonstrated track record as an effective change agent. Personal and Professional Attributes
• Hands-on experience in labor negotiations, mediations, and arbitration; first chair experience is strongly preferred.
• Must be capable of exercising independent judgment, demonstrating business acumen and sound technical knowledge to accomplish program objectives.
• This leadership role requires strong analytical and technical abilities and demands fast, but carefully thought-out decisions.
• Successful candidates must demonstrate a style that is purposeful and directed to advance the Employee and Labor Relations strategy and operating model

Interested candidates should submit their CV in confidence to Page Ettle at page@grantcooper.com