Director of Labor & Employee Relations

Director of Labor & Employee Relations

We are actively seeking a strategic and dynamic Director of Labor & Employee Relations to direct our labor management initiatives and employee relations within a unionized setting. This pivotal role will manage our HR Business Partners (HRBPs) team to align human resources strategies with our broad business goals, ensuring an engaged and efficient workforce. As a key advisor to the executive team, you'll facilitate labor-management relations, ensuring adherence to labor laws and collective bargaining agreements. This role is crucial in sustaining workplace harmony and organizational productivity, offering a unique opportunity to lead both labor relations and employee relations under one comprehensive role.

Salary: DOE per year

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the negotiation, administration, and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Function as the senior contact for union leadership to manage and resolve labor-related matters.
• Develop labor relations strategies that support the workforce and organizational objectives.
• Represent the organization in arbitrations and labor-management meetings.
• Advise on grievance processes, dispute resolution, and disciplinary actions.
• Ensure strict compliance with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and other state-specific labor regulations.
• Oversee the HRBP team, serving as the primary support for employee relations matters.
• Provide guidance on conflict resolution, performance management, and disciplinary processes.
• Collaborate with compliance teams to investigate and resolve complaints to ensure just resolutions.
• Drive the development and implement proactive employee relations policies to foster a positive workplace culture and enhance engagement.
• Work closely with senior leadership to create a safe, equitable work environment for all employees.

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a similar field.
• At least 15 years of HR and labor relations experience within a unionized environment.
• A minimum of 10 years in a leadership role, managing teams, ideally HRBPs and Employee & Labor Relations teams.
• Proven track record in collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and grievance management.
• Advanced knowledge of HR Business Partner models and industry best practices.
• Experience in regulated sectors is highly desired.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in a relevant field.
• Professional HR certifications such as SPHR or SHRM-SCP.

Skills:

• Expertise in labor law, collective bargaining, and employee relations.
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building trust at all organizational levels.
• Leadership skills with the ability to drive HR initiatives that align with business objectives.
• Analytical mindset, capable of risk assessment, complex regulation interpretation, and implementing compliance measures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HR analytics tools.
• High adaptability, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Benefits:

• Hybrid work arrangement with flexible remote work opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday policies.
• Retirement plans with company matching.
• Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
• Commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being.