Lead Negotiator - HR Labor

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of negotiation strategies for collective bargaining agreements, ensuring alignment with business goals, financial targets, and workforce priorities.
• Serve as the main spokesperson and strategist in labor negotiations, managing cross-functional negotiation teams and external counsel as needed.
• Analyze labor market trends, union dynamics, and regulatory developments to inform proactive labor strategies.
• Oversee the interpretation, application, and implementation of labor agreements, settlements, and arbitration decisions.
• Ensure consistent and legally sound contract administration across business units, advising leaders on disciplinary actions, contract language, and dispute resolution.
• Ensure compliance with the National Labor Relations Act and other applicable laws.
• Direct the grievance and arbitration process, ensuring timely, thorough, and effective resolution of employee concerns.
• Collaborate with union representatives and internal stakeholders to resolve disputes and foster a constructive labor-management environment.
• Establish strong, trust-based relationships with union leadership, operational management, and HR partners.
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on labor relations matters, workforce planning, and organizational change initiatives.
• Design and deliver targeted training programs for supervisors and managers on labor agreements, contract interpretation, and effective labor relations practices.
• Promote labor relations knowledge across the organization to enhance leadership effectiveness and compliance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Partner with Corporate HR (Compensation, Benefits, Talent) and Legal to ensure labor strategies are integrated with broader HR and business initiatives.
• Support Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts by embedding inclusive practices into labor relations strategies and negotiations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related discipline required; JD or master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years professional work experience required, including labor relations experience including Chief Spokesperson experience preferred.
• Experience in all aspects of human resources, employee relations, company/union relations and employment law.
• Proven leadership and demonstrated knowledge, skill and experience in contract language/negotiations, arbitration, grievance, employment/labor law.
• Experience in the administration of the grievance and arbitration processes.
• Experience preparing cases for arbitration is required; experience in presenting arbitration cases preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and in a team environment; proven ability to work and communicate with all levels of the organization from the hourly employees to executive management.
• Ability to translate legal/labor law, contract, policies to coach managers in resolving day-to-day issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Above average computer and systems knowledge (HRIS, MS Office and Outlook).
• Demonstrated change leadership.
• Detailed organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs.

FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.