Sr Manager, Labor & Employee Relations

About the California Academy of Sciences Founded in 1853 , the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof— our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Our living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Our research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi, spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Our diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling. Whether you're conducting research behind the scenes or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it. Organizational Culture When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and celebrates its accomplishments together. Staff share a commitment to executing a new strategic plan that will strengthen the organization's financial foundations, cultivate a vibrant internal culture, and foster smart growth to secure the Academy’s future. We hope you are inspired by what we do and are motivated to contribute to our mission. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position. This position is based in San Francisco, California. The specific onsite/hybrid schedule for this position is listed below. About the Opportunity The Senior Manager, Labor & Employee Relations serves as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on a broad range of labor and employee relations matters. This role provides leadership, direction, and hands-on expertise across collective bargaining, union relations, policy development, workplace investigations, and employee-facing programs that promote a respectful, legally compliant, and productive work environment. The Senior Manager supervises the Labor & Employee Relations Senior Coordinator / Manager and partners closely with legal counsel, business leaders, and HR Business Partners to advance organizational objectives and mitigate risk. Key Responsibilities Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining Lead and co-lead collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, including preparation of management proposals, costing analyses, and strategy development. Oversee CBA operationalization: train managers and HR partners on contract administration, track compliance, and resolve interpretive disputes. Manage the union grievance process end-to-end, including Step hearings, mediation, and arbitration preparation; advise on response strategy. Maintain constructive, professional relationships with union representatives and serve as a primary point of contact during the contract term. Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations Direct and personally conduct complex, sensitive, and high-risk employee relations investigations, including Title VII mandatory investigations (harassment, discrimination, retaliation), and workplace violence or threat-of-violence matters. Ensure investigations are conducted in accordance with EEOC guidelines, California DFEH/CRD requirements, and organizational policy; produce clear, well-reasoned written findings and recommendations. Review and resolve escalated workplace harmony complaints and interpersonal conflict matters using root cause analysis and res…