Director – Labor Relations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Act as a strategic director for labor relations, providing guidance to HR and leadership teams.

• Lead the development of the organization’s labor relations strategy and suggest best-practice methods for labor and associate relations.

• Offer advice on enhancing the workplace environment in accordance with employment and labor laws, government regulations, and agency guidelines.

• Establish processes to identify and address issues proactively to prevent escalation and minimize labor activity.

• Create and deliver ongoing training programs for HR professionals and people leaders.

• Collaborate with Field Operations, HR, Legal, and divisional leaders on initiatives that support associates.

• Foster positive communication between store operations, the supply network, and other departments to promote pro-associate messaging.

• Provide recommendations to avert or mitigate workplace conflicts and evaluate the labor implications of business decisions.

• Gather, analyze, interpret, and report on both internal and external labor union activities.

• Suggest actions based on labor and associate relations trends to enhance associate engagement.

• Review, design, and deliver training and education on labor and associate relations across the U.S. enterprise.

• Create and implement tailored labor relations strategies with HR and people leaders, which may include occasional travel to facilities.

• Advocate for fair and just workplace practices that align with legal standards.

• Develop, utilize, and promote technology tools and resources for continuous improvement for HR and people leaders.

• Formulate action plans in collaboration with legal and other partners in response to union activities.

• Cultivate relationships with members of the Associate Relations team.

• Provide guidance to Associate Relations consultants and peer Associate Relations Managers.

• Manage complex labor union situations, challenging assignments, and enterprise-wide projects.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR, Labor Relations, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience without a degree.

• Minimum of 8 years in a role as an exempt Labor Relations Specialist or in a similar capacity within a unionized or non-unionized setting.

• In-depth understanding of labor and employee relations principles, including pertinent federal and state laws and policies.

• Comprehensive knowledge of HR management programs and their interconnections.

• Proven ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and practices to everyday situations effectively.

• Preferred: Master’s degree, MBA, or a degree in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Labor Relations, or Industrial Relations.

• Preferred: Juris Doctor degree with a focus or experience in employment/labor law.

🏝️ Benefits

• Outstanding benefits package.

• Opportunities for skill development.

• Commitment to equal opportunity employment.