Senior Labor Relations Partner

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary labor relations advisor supporting a workforce with multiple collective bargaining agreements
• Note: This is not an all-inclusive listing.
• Lead day-to-day labor relations activities, including contract interpretation, grievance management, and labor–management meetings
• Provide guidance to leaders on discipline, performance management, and workplace issues within the context of labor agreements
• Support preparation and execution of collective bargaining activities in collaboration with HR leadership and legal counsel
• Monitor labor trends, arbitration outcomes, and contractual issues to identify risks and inform strategy
• Partner with Employee Relations to ensure consistency between labor agreements, employment policies, and management practices
• Provide employee relations support as needed, including investigations, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation
• Pinch hit on employee experience and engagement initiatives by advising on workforce sentiment, trust, and labor impacts
• Advises leaders on respectful labor–management practices and effective communication with represented employees
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Legal, Safety, and Operations to align labor strategies with organizational objectives
• Ensure labor relations practices comply with labor laws, collective bargaining agreements, and internal standards

Behavioral Competencies

• Manages Conflict – Effectively navigates high-risk, sensitive labor situations
• Judgment and Decision Making – Applies sound judgment in complex labor and employee matters
• Builds Effective Relationships – Establishes credibility and trust with union leaders and stakeholders
• Manages Complexity – Balances operational needs, labor agreements, and regulatory considerations
• Courage – Addresses difficult labor and employee issues with professionalism and confidence
• Communicates Effectively – Delivers clear, calm, and purposeful communication in challenging situations

Skills

• Labor Relations – Advanced; leads contract administration, grievance resolution, and labor–management interactions
• Collective Bargaining Agreement Interpretation – Advanced; applies contractual language accurately and consistently
• Employee Relations – Proficient; supports investigations, discipline, and conflict resolution when needed
• Stakeholder Influence & Advisory Skills – Advanced; advises leaders with confidence and credibility
• Regulatory & Legal Awareness – Proficient; understands labor law considerations in a regulated utility environment
• Employee Experience & Engagement Awareness – Proficient; assesses workforce sentiment and supports engagement efforts

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business, or a related field
• 7–10 years of experience in labor relations or human resources, including significant experience working with unionized workforces and administering collective bargaining agreements
• Experience in a regulated or capital-intensive environment preferred