Job Details

HR Employee and Labor Relations Manager

Position Number: 9851576
Location: Albany, United States
Position Type: Human Resources

HR Employee and Labor Relations Manager

Category: Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Locations: Albany, NY
Type: Exempt
Position ID: 205046

Location: Albany, NY Category: Human Resources Job Type: Exempt Posted On: Tue Sep 22 2026 Job Description:

Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources, the Human Resources Manager provides support and expert guidance to HR partners at 30 locations across New York State in areas of employee and labor relations, and affirmative action. This role works closely with the corporate HR team, legal team and campus HR partners to ensure a compliant, fair and balanced approach to handling sensitive employee and labor relation issues in a complex matrixed academic environment that involves close interrelationships among State University of New York (SUNY), the Research Foundation (RF), and affiliated entities. The incumbent also manages Affirmative Action programs and EEO reporting for the organization. This position requires HR generalist skills and a strong understanding of HR trends, policies, practices and regulatory requirements to ensure programs are compliant, efficient and effective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Apply strong knowledge of RF policies, procedures, practices and systems, as well as regulatory requirements, to maintain compliance and manage effective employee relations and performance programs.
Work with corporate and campus HR partners to ensure an unbiased, empathetic, and consistent approach in handling sensitive employee issues.
Provide guidance to HR partners at locations across the state on how to best handle complex employee relations issues, performance management, and best practices for coaching employees and managers toward success.
Coordinate with the corporate HR team to develop and conduct training on HR policies, procedures and initiatives that strengthen talent readiness and leadership capability.
Conduct, oversee, or assist with internal investigations into employee concerns.
Participate in labor negotiations and grievance resolutions.
Review and draft written documentation such as investigation reports, performance improvement plans, coaching and disciplinary actions, ensuring thorough records are on file.
Track trends and changes in regulatory requirements regarding EEO, AA, and labor and employment relations to ensure corporate programs remain fully compliant and impactful.
Manage Affirmative Action and EEO reporting, review policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state guidelines, and serve as a technical resource and trainer for campuses while collaborating with corporate HR to implement necessary changes.
Gather data from campus locations and collaborate with vendor to complete the annual corporate Affirmative Action Plan, ensuring campus location plans are completed accurately and on time, while managing all EEO-1 and Vets-4212 reporting.
Collaborate with corporate HR and cross-functional teams to develop stakeholder communications, assist with general HR functions, and coordinate the annual meeting for statewide HR partners.
Ensure HR compliance guidelines, policies, and resource materials on the website remain accurate and up to date.
Other duties as assigned.

COMPENSATION: The compensation for this role is between $100,000 to $121,000. The pay will depend on a variety of factors that may include but are not limited to experience, education, training, and certifications.

Job Requirements:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years progressive relevant experience in Human Resources, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Solid understanding of general HR practices, with demonstrated experience managing sensitive employee relations matters with a high degree of confidentiality, empathy, and professionalism.
Ability to work independently while demonstrating proven team-player capabilities and a track record of collaborating across matrixed teams to build solid relationships and deliver outstanding HR service.
Comprehensive knowledge of general HR policies, procedures, and federal and New York State employment, wage/hour, and EEO/AA regulations.
Advanced analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain tact, and execute diplomacy when navigating complex workplace challenges.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, paired with strong organizational capabilities, high attention to detail, and a high level of proficiency and accuracy in all duties.
Ability to prioritize workflow and successfully manage conflicting priorities in a fast-paced, high-change environment.
Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with HRIS systems and compliance reporting tools.
Experience in Higher Education.

Additional Information:

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law. The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.

To apply, visit http://rfsuny.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=205046