Director, Academic Workplace Relations

Job Description:

Director, Academic Workplace Relations

Description

At CSUN we aspire to continually grow as an inclusive, cooperative community!

CSUN strives to be a destination workplace, where everyone understands that they belong to a community that is vital in advancing student success and providing exemplary service to all stakeholders. We foster an environment of success, both for our students and our employees. We have a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as being an employer of choice. You will also have the opportunity to realize your own personal goals and be recognized for the work you do and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. As a leader you will have the opportunity to thrive in a community in which our leaders share common traits as identified in our Leadership Principles https://www.csun.edu/leadership-principles . If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, the Director of Academic Workplace Relations position serves as a central resource for faculty conduct matters, providing guidance, case coordination, training, policy implementation, and collaborative support. The incumbent works closely with university partners to address concerns, encourage positive workplace interactions, and promote accountability, fairness, and professional conduct.

• Under the supervision of Faculty Affairs leadership, serve as the primary administrator responsible for addressing faculty-related conduct concerns, including academic Employee Relations (ER), Other Conduct of Concern (OCC) and unprofessional behavior not reaching the level of policy violation.
• Oversee the intake, acknowledgment, and assessment process for reported faculty-related unprofessional behavior, Employee Relations (ER), and Other Conduct of Concern (OCC) cases.
• Ensure fair, prompt, and neutral resolution processes, balancing supportive services with institutional accountability.
• Develop and execute, in coordination with Faculty Affairs leadership, faculty-facing training on professional conduct, academic Employee Relations (ER) and Other Conduct of Concern (OCC) expectations, conflict resolution, and effective performance management.
• Track, monitor, and analyze trends in faculty conduct concerns, reporting data to university leadership and systemwide HR in coordination with Faculty Affairs leadership.

• As a leader, demonstrates a commitment to student success that is mission aligned with the university’s vision, values and priorities. Establishes an ethical and collegial work environment, promoting a collaborative, accountable and inclusive team. Encourages a courageous and resilient solution-oriented environment by participating in new opportunities to further the mission of the university. Participates in developing initiatives that further support the campus mission with a service-oriented and catalytic mind set. Strengthens employees by being communicative and a talent builder that develops team attributes, furthering departmental goals.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

*NOTE: To view the full position description copy and paste this link into your browser: https://mycsun.box.com/s/csre30zw73adfbkf0x2a217vokxsoo6a

Qualifications:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in a job-related field.
• Equivalent to five years of progressively responsible professional/administrative experience; with two of the five years in a supervisory role. Two of the five years of leadership experience in employee relations, including resolving/processing complaints, conducting workplace investigations, conflict prevention and resolution, advocacy, mediation, or comparable work experience.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources Management, Organizational Planning/Policy, Legal Studies, or a closely related field, or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited institution.
• Training and experience with multiple mediation methods.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in all aspects of academic and administrative leadership
• Experience in a collective bargaining environment in a university setting
• Knowledge of CSU/California policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Academic Employee Relations (ER), and Other Conduct of Concern (OCC).

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Leadership

• Ability to manage complex faculty conduct concerns, investigations, and conflict resolution processes with fairness and consistency.
• Skilled in facilitating productive conversations, coaching, restorative practices, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, stakeholder consultation, and sensitive correspondence.
• Strong knowledge of employment regulations, collective bargaining agreements, higher education policies, and compliance frameworks.
• Ability to build trust and work effectively with faculty, administrators, Human Resources, Equity and Compliance, unions, and shared governance groups.
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering training and professional development; experience with mediations and conflict resolution in the workplace; understanding of the intersection of free speech and academic freedom; ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality; ability to collaborate and effectively communicate within and across work units.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues within and across departments and divisions {I thought we had something about this ability - it is very much needed}

• Lead diverse teams to support the operational mission and vision of employers by fostering an ethical, inclusive and collegial work environment.

• Demonstrated ability to support ongoing improvement through courageous, resilient, and catalytic leadership.
• Lead varying initiatives through a collaborative, service-oriented and communicative approach.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, recognition, and accountability to further operational goals.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $115,000 - $120,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
• The individual hired for this role will physically work on-campus in Northridge. This is not a telecommute position.

General Information

• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position may be considered a 'limited reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
• Please note: California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN on-line application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
• Applications received through July 13, 2026 will be considered in the initial review and review of applications will continue until position is filled.
• The CSU recommends that faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Disability (physical or mental), Gender, Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Pregnancy or related conditions, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion or Religious Creed, Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics), Sexual Orientation, and Veteran or Military Status. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Talent Acquisition at 818-677-2101.

Work with purpose at the CSU.
Your career can change lives, communities, and futures. Watch why CSU is more than a job: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VXk4PPlSl4

Advertised: Jun 29 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: