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Posted June 19, 2026

VP - Workforce Relations & Compliance

University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA Full Time
Compensation: $400,000 to $468,000 Annually
Reference: UniversityofCalifornia,SanFrancisco4945

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Vice President, Workforce Relations & Compliance provides strategic leadership for labor relations, employee relations, workforce compliance, policy governance, workforce accountability, and labor-management partnerships across UCSF Health and Campus.

The position serves as a principal advisor to executive leadership on workforce strategy, labor relations, collective bargaining, workforce accountability, compliance, workforce policy, and workforce-related organizational risk. Working closely with the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), including the UC Office of General Counsel and UC Systemwide Labor Relations and Employee Relations, UCSF Campus Counsel, UC campuses, and UC Health systems, the Vice President represents UCSF's interests in systemwide labor relations initiatives, collective bargaining strategy, workforce policy development, labor litigation, and labor-management partnerships.

The Vice President serves as the executive leader responsible for transforming Workforce Relations functions across UCSF by modernizing workforce policies, improving service delivery, simplifying processes, enhancing workforce experiences, and strengthening transparency, consistency, accountability, and responsiveness across labor relations, employee relations, compliance, and workforce governance programs.

The position serves as UCSF's designated executive accountable for enterprise compliance with collective bargaining agreements, workforce policies, arbitration awards, settlement agreements, labor-management commitments, and workforce-related legal and regulatory requirements, including formal governance and oversight responsibilities established through labor agreements such as the AFSCME Article 5 Responsible Executive role.

Through strategic leadership, governance, executive alignment, and organizational transformation, the Vice President advances a culture of accountability, consistency, partnership, and operational excellence that supports UCSF's mission and strategic priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

%

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

40%

 Yes

Organizational Leadership, Workforce Transformation & Operational Excellence

  • Establish the vision, strategic priorities, operating model, and enterprise objectives for Workforce Relations functions, ensuring alignment with UCSF's mission, workforce strategy, and organizational priorities.
  • Lead enterprise transformation of Workforce Relations by modernizing workforce policies, improving workforce experiences, simplifying processes, strengthening service delivery, and advancing organizational effectiveness across labor relations, employee relations, compliance, and workforce governance functions.
  • Partner with executive leadership, operational leaders, employees, labor organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen workforce accountability, improve workforce experiences, and advance organizational change initiatives.
  • Establish enterprise service standards, performance metrics, and accountability measures that improve transparency, responsiveness, consistency, service quality, and organizational outcomes.
  • Leverage technology, analytics, automation, and continuous improvement methodologies to modernize workforce programs and improve operational effectiveness.
  • Build and sustain a high-performing Workforce Relations organization through effective leadership, talent development, succession planning, and a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and service excellence.
  • Establish UCSF's workforce relations strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and UC systemwide labor relations objectives.
  • Serve as UCSF's senior representative with UCOP Labor Relations, UC Systemwide Employee Relations, the UC Office of General Counsel, Campus Counsel, UC campuses, UC Health systems, labor organizations, and executive leadership on workforce and labor relations matters.
  • Advise and align executive leadership regarding workforce strategy, labor relations developments, organizational change initiatives, labor-management partnerships, collective bargaining obligations, and workforce implications of strategic decisions.
  • Monitor labor relations trends, grievance activity, employee relations issues, arbitration outcomes, unfair labor practice proceedings, and emerging workforce developments across UCSF and the UC system, identifying systemic issues and preparing the organization for future workforce challenges.
  • Provide executive sponsorship and oversight for implementation of successor collective bargaining agreements, side letters, memoranda of understanding, and labor-management commitments.
  • Establish the strategic direction and governance framework for workforce accountability, workforce policy, compliance, and risk management programs.
  • Lead enterprise policy modernization efforts to simplify workforce policies, strengthen alignment with organizational priorities, improve usability, and enhance workforce and manager experiences.
  • Oversee an enterprise workforce compliance and governance program focused on adherence to collective bargaining agreements, UC systemwide policies, Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM), arbitration awards, settlement agreements, labor-management commitments, and workforce-related legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Serve as UCSF's AFSCME Article 5 Responsible Executive and provide executive oversight for workforce compliance, organizational accountability, and workforce governance obligations.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, consistency, transparency, and continuous improvement, ensuring workforce policies, collective bargaining agreements, and enterprise expectations are applied consistently across UCSF.
  • Provide executive leadership and strategic direction regarding unfair labor practice charges, PERB proceedings, grievance arbitrations, labor-related litigation, settlement agreements, and other workforce disputes affecting UCSF.
  • Partner closely with UCOP Labor Relations, the UC Office of General Counsel, Campus Counsel, external legal counsel, and UC system partners to develop labor relations and legal strategies, oversee significant arbitration and litigation matters, and ensure effective implementation of workforce-related rulings and obligations.
  • Assess the implications of arbitration decisions, PERB rulings, settlement agreements, UCOP directives, and significant labor relations developments across the UC system and advise executive leadership regarding resulting workforce and organizational impacts.
  • Lead UCSF's enterprise preparedness for and response to labor actions, in partnership with UCSF Emergency Management and executive leadership, ensuring continuity of operations, patient care, education, and research activities.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on workforce strategy, workforce accountability, labor-management partnerships, organizational change, and workforce-related risks and opportunities.
  • Lead enterprise implementation and executive alignment efforts related to new legislation, regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements, arbitration awards, settlement agreements, and UC systemwide policy changes.
  • Ensure UCSF is positioned to address emerging workforce challenges and opportunities, including workforce transformation, technology adoption, AI-related workforce impacts, operational redesign, and other strategic initiatives.
  • Represent UCSF in systemwide workforce strategy discussions and contribute to the development of long-term workforce relations approaches that support the University's mission and strategic priorities.

25%

 Yes

Workforce Relations, Labor Strategy & Executive Alignment

15%

 Yes

Workforce Accountability, Policy Governance & Compliance

10%

 Yes

Labor Litigation, Labor Actions & Systemwide Leadership

10%

 Yes

Executive Advisory & Strategic Workforce Leadership

100%

 (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Req / Pref
Deep knowledge of California labor law, public sector labor relations, and union environments. Req
Demonstrated experience building or transforming HR functions and operating models. Req
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization. Req

Core Competencies

  • Strategic Thinking & Execution
  • Labor Relations Expertise
  • Organizational Transformation
  • Risk Assessment & Mitigation
  • Policy Development & Governance
  • Change Leadership
  • Collaboration & Influence
 Req
Excellent ability to establish metrics for department and employee goals which measure effectiveness of contributions to efficient operations of department. Excellent leadership abilities to oversee multiple functions or departments through subordinate managers. Req
Excellent skills to work collaboratively and act persuasively in sensitive situations; skills in conflict management techniques. Demonstrated ability to handle extremely difficult or volatile situations / individuals effectively. Req
Able to interpret and communicate, both verbally and in writing, highly complex, and often highly technical information in a clear and concise manner. Excellent communication skills with a diversity of communication styles; may make oral or written presentations. Req
Excellent management skills that include collaboration, coaching and developing subordinates; ability to build relationships. Able to attract, develop, engage and retain staff. Req
Demonstrated ability to execute strategies to address an identified problem. Req
Ability to gain credibility with all levels of leadership. Ability to build trusting and productive relationships with peers and colleagues. Req
Proven track record partnering with audit and risk functions to implement compliance programs. Pref

Education, Licenses and Certifications:

Education

Req / Pref
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field. Req
Advanced degree (MBA, JD, or related field) preferred. Pref
12+ years of progressive leadership experience in labor relations, employee relations, and HR compliance. Req
Experience within UC system or large academic medical centers. Pref

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