Vice President, Employee & Labor Relations & Workforce Compliance

Job Description

Jackson Health System (JHS), one of the nation’s largest and most respected public healthcare systems, is seeking an accomplished and strategic Vice President of Employee & Labor Relations & Workforce Compliance. This executive leader will shape systemwide labor strategy, strengthen organizational culture, and ensure regulatory excellence across a workforce of more than 15,000 employees.

If you are a seasoned labor relations and workforce compliance expert who thrives in complex, highly unionized environments — and you’re passionate about advancing a Just Culture — this is a rare opportunity to make a significant impact at scale.

What You’ll Lead

• Enterprise strategy for employee relations, labor relations, and workforce compliance
• Collective bargaining, impact bargaining, contract administration, grievances, and arbitration
• Workforce compliance programs including licensure, certifications, background checks, I‑9, required learning, and regulatory readiness
• Systemwide audit frameworks, risk assessments, and compliance reporting
• A high‑performing team of labor, employee relations, and compliance professionals
• Executive‑level guidance to the CHRO, CEO, and senior leadership on workforce risk and labor strategy

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as chief negotiator for collective bargaining agreements and labor proceedings
• Ensure consistent interpretation of CBAs across all hospitals and departments
• Oversee employee relations investigations and corrective action processes
• Lead continuous readiness for Joint Commission, AHCA, CMS, and other regulatory bodies
• Build strong partnerships with operational leaders, physicians, union leadership, and external agencies
• Champion Just Culture principles and drive continuous improvement in employee experience and accountability

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree required; JD strongly preferred
• 12–15+ years of progressive leadership in labor relations, employee relations, and workforce compliance
• Experience in a large, complex, unionized healthcare system or similarly regulated environment
• Demonstrated success leading collective bargaining with multiple unions
• Deep knowledge of employment law, labor law, and healthcare regulatory requirements

Preferred:

• Experience in an academic medical center or public healthcare system
• Track record leading large‑scale workforce transformation or compliance remediation
• Experience advising executive leadership and Boards on high‑impact labor matters

Core Competencies

• Executive presence and strategic thinking
• Labor negotiation and conflict resolution expertise
• Sound judgment and risk management
• Data‑driven decision‑making
• Strong communication and influence skills
• Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity
• Commitment to equity, fairness, and Just Culture

Jackson Health System is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.