Executive Director of Employee Relations and Faculty Resources

ABOUT RAMAPO COLLEGE:

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college, where
students build the confidence, skills, and perspective to thrive in a changing world.
Located on a breathtaking 300-acre campus in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains
and just a short trip from New York City, Ramapo blends the best of both worlds: natural
beauty, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to one of the world’s most dynamic job
markets.

With approximately 6,000 students, Ramapo offers a personalized, student-centered
experience defined by a 16:1 student–faculty ratio, small classes, and faculty who
mentor, challenge, and inspire. Students can explore over 40 undergraduate majors and
a growing portfolio of graduate programs in fields such as Business Administration,
Data Science, Nursing, Educational Leadership, Social Work, Special Education, and
the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Across every discipline, Ramapo emphasizes hands-on
learning through internships, co-ops, study abroad, faculty research, service projects,
and real-world experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers.

Our campus is home to cutting-edge academic spaces, including the Anisfield School of
Business, the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence, the Sharp Sustainability Education
Center, the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts, the Les Paul Music Studio,
and the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons. Ramapo’s award-winning residence halls
are consistently ranked among the best in New Jersey.

Nationally recognized for excellence and value, Ramapo is ranked #1 among New
Jersey public colleges by College Choice, named a Best Regional University North by
U.S. News & World Report, and celebrated by Kiplinger’s, Money Magazine, Colleges of
Distinction, and Victory Media’s Military Friendly rankings.

At Ramapo, students don’t just earn degrees; they discover their strengths, explore new
possibilities, and build the foundation for bold futures.

Working at Ramapo
Ramapo College of New Jersey has been recognized as a “Great College to Work
For,” where our employees are at the heart of everything we do. We foster an
equitable and fair workplace where ideas are welcomed, contributions are valued,
and individuals are encouraged to grow both professionally and personally.
Employees benefit from meaningful work, opportunities for development, and the
chance to make a lasting impact on students’ lives every day.

At Ramapo College, we believe excellence is achieved through teamwork, respect,
accountability, innovation, and a shared commitment to learning. Our all-hands-on
deck culture requires leadership at all levels to ensure we achieve our mission,
implement our goals, and invest in our future one student at a time. We are proud
to offer a supportive environment that values well-being and continuous
improvement. We believe in being bold, being kind, and being good teammates,
making Ramapo not just a place to work, but a great place to belong.

Ramapo College offers outstanding benefits through the New Jersey State Benefits
system, generous PTO, professional development opportunities, wellness
programs, tuition discounts for employees and their dependents, and much more.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time, managerial position, and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Note: This position is in the “Non-Limited (NL)” category of employment (non-fixed work week) and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. It is the policy of the College to grant hour-for-hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a regularly scheduled day off, Saturday, Sunday or a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.

All managerial employees at Ramapo College are responsible for overseeing the daily business activities, improving operational procedures, and ensuring the successful implementation of strategic initiatives. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with a strong emphasis on personal and team accountability for outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the daily operations of your unit/core and ensure alignment with the College’s Strategic Plan by identifying specific plan objectives each year via their annual performance appraisal.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members, fostering a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Set performance goals and regularly evaluate employee progress against measurable outcomes.
• Manage budgets, resources, and timelines to meet project deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Create and track KPIs to monitor team performance and operational success.
• Prepare and present regular performance and accountability reports to senior leadership.

Accountability Component:

• Ownership of Results: This positionis accountable for the outcomes of their Core’s/Unit’s /Division’sperformance. This includes achieving operational targets, addressing underperformance proactively, and transparently reporting progress or challenges.
• Decision-Making Responsibility: This role involves making informed decisions independently and taking responsibility for the consequences of those decisions.
• Team Accountability: All managers are responsible for creating a culture in which they and their team members (if applicable) are held accountable for their individual responsibilities and outcomes, and are recognized for both achievements and areas needing improvement.

Salary Range
$150,000-$185,000

US work authorization is required. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US. Ramapo College currently has a no-sponsorship policy.

Job Summary:

The Executive Director of the Employee Relations (ER) serves as the chief administrator for a comprehensive employee relations program that includes providing strategic leadership on the AFT Master Contract and local Ramapo negotiations and MOUs.

Major Objectives:

• The Executive Director of ER reports to and acts as a strategic partner and advisor to the Provost/ Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Growth in all aspects of ensuring compliance to the AFT Master Contract with the State of New Jersey and coordinates with People Operations to ensure compliance with all federal, State of New Jersey, and local laws, policies, and regulations pertaining to Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) faculty and professional staff.

• Strategically and professionally aligns the actions and activities of the employees of ER in full support of the RCNJ Strategic Plan “Boldly Ascending” and the directives of the Office of the Provost. Provides strategy linked advice to the Mission Element Team (MET), Cabinet of Agents (COA), Faculty Leaders, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Leaders, Faculty Assembly (FA); Faculty Assembly Executive Council (FAEC), other Faculty Leaders to include Deans, Directors, Conveners and various All College Committees and Chairs that will positively effectively and efficiently support the College’s mission and vision.
• Coordinates and collaborates with People Operations & Employee Resources Department to generate practical approaches to solving problems that impact the College.

• Coordinates with colleagues within the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU) to share best business practices and share information.
• Collaborates with the Provost on the strategic development of faculty and professional staff personnel programs, policies, and procedures, while promoting long-term professional development.

• Leads strategic efforts to improve employee relations operations, and faculty and professional staff administrative processes and procedures through creative and innovative automation intervention in support of College and Board of Trustees decisions. Provides operational oversight over the daily operations of employee relations.

• Responsible for ensuring that the ER administers, tracks, reports, and records faculty reappointments, tenure, promotions, career development, faculty scholarship funding procedures, as regulated by the State of New Jersey Collective Bargaining Agreement between the College and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the local Faculty Handbook. As required, directs other labor management relations matters to include the administration of disciplinary, reappointment, performance appraisals, and professional procedures pertaining to College employees.
• Serves as a member of the RCNJ Collective Bargaining Team and ensures compliance with College policies and other applicable laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements, Memorandums of Agreement (MOA's), Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Faculty Handbook, and other guidelines.

• Professionally creates an environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion and demonstrates professional loyalty, dignity, and respect for others; competently leads, develops, and mentors a talented and highly productive team of assigned personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Interprets, facilitates, and complies with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Collective Negotiations Agreement (CURRENT CONTRACT). Provides assistance, advice, and guidance for all related American Federation of Teachers staff and faculty personnel processes and actions to include calendars, administrative and academic regulations, related training sessions, and contractual reporting requirements; participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures. Provides staff assistance and streamlines the business practices of the Director of Employee Relations to administer faculty and professional staff processes and procedures for the following actions: Career Development, Promotions, Reappointment, Tenure, Sabbatical, Faculty Scholarship Funding, Personal Leaves, etc.

2. Collaborates with the Office of the Provost, Faculty Assembly Executive Council (FAEC), other Faculty Leaders to include Deans, to continuously improve Faculty and Professional Staff personnel policies, processes, and procedures. Responsible for managing the revisions, improvements, reviews, rewrites, and publishing of the RCNJ Faculty Handbook, which is essential to the administration of the Faculty and Professional Staff personnel processes.

3. Performs related work, as required, within the context of established College policies, contracts, legal guidelines, and procedures and stays abreast of policy and process changes as they occur and ensures compliance. Supports planning, development, organization, and supervision of staff or programs designed to assist in carrying out the Employee Relations function. Conducts quality control reviews of all correspondence for AFT employees as required.

4. Monitors compliance with the College’s policy on Conflict of Interest, Intellectual Property, Code of Professional Responsibility, conducts fact-finding investigations, training, and policy development, as well as other policies, statutes, regulations, and procedures aimed at improving employee relationships across RCNJ.

5. Assists in the oversight of the budget and the coordination of activities and projects assigned to the Office of Employee Relations; responsible for the budget proposal, allocation, and tracking the distribution of faculty travel funds to each School, tracking of the budget, bill payments, review of Travel Authorization Requests, overload payments, adjunct budgets, and special payments. Maintains up-to-date account balances using automated systems as implemented.

6. Manages Academic Operations and its efforts to monitor, reconcile, and report faculty overload and underload; strives to operate in a cost-controlled environment. Provides oversight of Adjunct Contracts and Special Payments for Faculty members.

7. In collaboration with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the Office of People Operations and Employee Resources (POER) applies investigatory leadership competencies of communication (professional development counseling) both orally and in writing (investigative reports, summary letters, and interview notes) while promoting conflict resolution, resolution of workplace disputes and conducting workplace environmental and behavioral related investigations.

8. Advises and supports the Provost and Deans in requesting full-time, adjunct, and emergency faculty hires.

Strategic Initiative duties and responsibilities:

1. Coordinates with the Provost’s Office and School Deans to conduct annual training for faculty in executing their responsibilities as it relates to Faculty Processes outlined in the Faculty Handbook.

2. Contract Interpretation and Implementation: Serves as one of the lead communicators regarding the AFT Contract. Ensures College policy initiatives reflect AFT Contractual obligations. Facilitates questions, reconciliation, concerns, and the process of addressing any problems that may arise. Participates in the development and revision of other policies, processes, and procedures beneficial to the College.

3. Supports the planning, coordination, and execution of the Annual Remembrance Day Program in recognition of faculty and professional staff members; and also in support of the College’s internal and external Families, events and programs operations, College Alumni, the Foundation, and the Staff and Faculty.

4. Facilitates the Emeritus processes and procedures for faculty and staff who upon nomination by the President, the Board of Trustees are honored as retired faculty and staff with emeritus status in recognition of their scholarly and professional contributions before retirement.

5. Serve as the Employee Relations representative for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution on regarding Banner initiatives; strives to automate all ER processes and procedures as it relates to the planning and execution of Faculty and Professional staff administrative processes. Coordinates and collaborates with other College key stakeholders in the functional areas to facilitate the implementation of an ERP solution.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative techniques to serve as a key manager in facilitating broad and critical ER initiatives. Skilled in applying complex fact-finding, analytical and problem-solving methods and techniques to a wide range of ER administrative functions.

Organizational Security Responsibilities: This position requires adherence to the organization's information security policies and procedures. All employees share responsibility for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization’s mission essential IT assets, regardless of role. Individuals in this role are expected to apply appropriate safeguards, participate in required security awareness training, and promptly report potential security incidents in accordance with institutional policies.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS:

The successful candidate should possess the following:

-Ability to display a high degree of knowledge of the AFT Contract, the local Ramapo College Faculty Handbook and MOUs, the College Strategic Plan, policies, programs, unit purpose, goals, and objectives;

-Demonstrated knowledge of modern management principles

-Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the laws and regulations, and personnel procedures that impact the program or unit

-Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the college philosophy, goals, and organization

-Ability to acquire and adhere to knowledge of the higher education system and the function of institutions of higher learning

-Understanding of the principles of planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, budgeting, and directing all functional areas of Employee Relations

-Fundamental competencies to include: Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Professional Development, Public Service Motivation, and Customer Service

-Understanding of the knowledge of the principles of organization and personnel management, internal and external to Employee Relations

-Ability to acquire knowledge of the State of New Jersey agencies, federal, and local governments, and private organizations that have a working relationship with the College, program and/or section

-Ability to assist in the College-wide planning and administration of a program or unit by developing and recommending goals, policies, and procedures

-Ability to evaluate performance and develop alternative methods to improve performance and processes, and meet established objectives.

-Ability to establish cooperative working relationships and coordinate with other offices or organizations that impact on or relate to the work of the section(s) and program or unit.

-Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with supervisors and staff.

-Ability to develop, administer and monitor the budget.

-Ability to develop and recommend program goals, policies, and procedures.

-Ability to analyze reports and conduct studies that include findings and recommendations.

-Ability to implement and evaluate programs.

-Ability to represent the college at conferences, seminars or meetings.

-Ability to supervise and/or maintain essential records and files.

- Extensive experience in leadership and Senior Management in Higher Education or other related fields with a focus on Labor Management and Employee Relations.

-Extensive experience at the Managerial level in Higher Education and/or other related fields.

-Three to five years of budgetary experience at the Managerial level in Higher Education.

-Evidence of effective Conflict Management skills and abilities with demonstrated effective results.

-Evidence of investigative capabilities to include formal and informal fact-finding, investigative report writing, and the ability to effectively communicate results.

-Excellent written and oral communication skills.

EDUCATION:

Master’s Degree or higher in Public Policy and Administration and Program Management, or a related field with a focus on Administration, Labor Relations, or Program Management.

EEO Statement:

Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and other diversity programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.