External Labor Relations Advisor

Agency Description

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) works to modernize city government and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City services. The CAO oversees seven City departments and offices, innovating and strengthening their administrative functions and supporting their resident‑facing operations to evaluate, plan, and continually improve service delivery. The eight City departments and offices that report to the CAO include the Department of Records, the Office of Administrative Review (OAR), the Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT), the Office of Talent & Employee Success, the Office for People with Disabilities, the Procurement Department, PHL Service Design Studio, and Strategic Transformation.

Position Summary

The External Labor Relations Advisor serves as an advisor to the Mayor’s Office on organized labor issues occurring outside of City government. The role monitors labor activity across the region, develops relationships with labor organizations, industry associations, employers, and community stakeholders, and provides strategic analysis regarding labor developments that may affect municipal operations, economic stability, workforce availability, infrastructure, and residents. The Advisor acts as an “early warning” resource for executive leadership and coordinates cross‑departmental responses to labor‑related issues impacting the City, working closely with the Director of Labor.

Essential Functions

• Monitor labor negotiations, strikes, lockouts, organizing campaigns, and other labor activities involving private‑sector employers, regional authorities, utilities, healthcare systems, educational institutions, transportation providers, and nonprofit organizations.
• Assess the potential operational, economic, and community impacts of labor actions on City services and residents.
• Identify emerging labor trends that may affect workforce development, economic mobility, public safety, transportation, housing, or critical infrastructure.
• Provide regular labor intelligence briefings to the Mayor, Chief of Staff, and executive leadership.
• Prepare executive summaries, issue briefs, and strategic recommendations regarding significant labor developments.
• Develop response strategies and contingency recommendations during labor disputes with significant public impact.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with labor unions, labor federations, worker advocacy organizations, employer associations, chambers of commerce, workforce organizations, and industry leaders.
• Facilitate communication between City leadership and external labor organizations when appropriate.
• Coordinate with departments including Commerce, Managing Director’s Office, Emergency Management, Transportation, Public Safety, and Community Empowerment to assess operational impacts of labor actions.
• Assist departments in preparing continuity plans when external labor actions may affect City operations or service delivery.
• Analyze labor market trends, collective bargaining developments, workforce shortages, and employment policies affecting Philadelphia’s economy.
• Research state and federal labor legislation and evaluate potential impacts on the City.
• Support development of initiatives that strengthen partnerships between organized labor, employers, educational institutions, and workforce development organizations.
• Prepare briefing materials and situational updates for executive leadership.
• Coordinate messaging related to significant labor developments in partnership with communications staff.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge: Labor relations principles, collective bargaining processes, labor law, organized labor structures, local/state/federal labor and employment regulations, municipal government operations, workforce and economic development issues, and Philadelphia’s labor landscape.
• Skills: Strategic analysis, critical thinking, relationship‑building, stakeholder engagement, verbal and written communication, research, policy analysis, executive‑level report and presentation preparation, project management, and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Abilities: Monitor and interpret emerging labor trends, exercise sound judgment on politically sensitive matters, establish effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, facilitate cross‑departmental collaboration, communicate complex issues clearly, remain calm during high‑profile events, and work independently with professionalism.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Human Resources, Business Administration, Economics, Law, or a closely related field.
• Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA), Labor Relations, Public Policy, Business Administration (MBA), or Juris Doctor (JD) is preferred.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in labor relations, labor policy, workforce development, public administration, government relations, legislative affairs, economic development, or a closely related field.
• Must be a resident of the City of Philadelphia within six months of hire.

Compensation

Salary Range: $90,500 – $113,000

Benefits

• Unlimited free public transportation year‑round through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program (buses, subways, trolleys, regional rail).
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents, with a discounted medical plan option.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Tuition discounts and scholarships ranging from 10% to 40% at partnered colleges and universities, available to employees (and in some cases spouses/dependents).