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Director of the Employee and Labor Relations Division

PROGRAM MANAGER SENIOR III

Recruitment #26-005484-0010

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Introduction

The Director of the Employee and Labor Relations Division (ELRD) within the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits (OPSB) is the State’s leading authority on employee relations issues and a primary steward of the State’s relationship with its SPMS unions. Managing ELRD’s operations, overseeing the settlement process and related infrastructure, providing expert advice on discipline and grievance issues, developing and pursuing State positions in union matters, this role plays a fundamental part in maintaining a fair, productive, and legally compliant workplace for employees in the SPMS.

The ideal candidate will have deep subject matter knowledge of Maryland discipline and grievance laws, regulations, and policies, be an effective manager of a small team and a trusted partner to SPMS agencies, and will engage proactively to develop and effectively pursue strategic change.  

***This is a management service position and serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority***

Please submit your completed application and resume by the deadline, Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:59PM ET.  

GRADE

25

LOCATION OF POSITION

The position is located at 301 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland, but may work a hybrid telework schedule.

POSITION DUTIES

The Employee and Labor Relations (ELRD) Director leads the ~7 person ELRD team.

As part of this, the Director:

  • Oversees all aspects of the division, including planning, organizing and managing staff workflow, and ensuring ELRD’s effective functioning and the performance of its responsibilities with excellence. 
  • Proactively manages the State’s employee relations system to  address State and employee concerns timely as well as to identify trends / reoccurring  issues and seek to address them. 
  • Is a driver of the State’s relationship with SPMS unions, including appropriately addressing union requests, proactively developing the State’s positions on matters that interact with SPMS unions, negotiating with SPMS unions on behalf of the State, and supporting non-SPMS State entities in their labor relations matters. 
  • Provides sound guidance, advice, and assistance on interpreting State personnel laws, regulations, policies, and MOUs with the exclusive representatives of State employees, to DBM leadership, SPMS leaders, and all other relevant stakeholders, with special emphasis on employee and labor relations and absence/leave matters, particularly FMLA.
  • Oversees a variety of functions and their associated systems / infrastructure within the ELRD, such as the Employee Assistance Program, and the work of the State Social Security Administrator.
  • Oversees and administers a robust training program on a variety of topics, such as: supervisory training; PEP training; managing medical absences, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Ten years of professional work experience, which must include at least 5 years of experience with public sector employee relations topics. The ten years of professional experience must include at least two years in a supervisory role.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

  • Expertise in Maryland State employee relations law, policy, and precedent.
  • Substantive experience negotiating with public sector unions.
  • Excellent emotional intelligence and exceptional leadership skills.
  • Knowledge of federal laws and state laws that impact labor relations.
  • Strong organizational skills, including project management skills.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
  • Ability to gather data, compile information, prepare reports, and prioritize and perform complex tasks on multiple projects.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

As this is a management service position, the examination process will be at the discretion of the appointing authority.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please email HR Analyst Kathryn Powell at kathryn.powell2@maryland.gov.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. 

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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