Senior Director Labor Relations

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Labor Relations manages the labor relations processes of the organization in compliance with regulatory requirements and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Senior Director will plan, direct, and coordinate labor relations activities, including analyzing and interpreting the Collective Bargaining Agreement and advising management and union officials in development, application, and interpretation of labor relations policies and practices. Success in this role requires a strategic mindset, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to influence across all levels of the organization, including union representatives and senior leadership.

• Lead collective bargaining negotiations with unions and employee representatives across multiple jurisdictions and bargaining units.
• Design and execute negotiation strategies aligned with corporate objectives, cost structures, service models, and risk tolerance.
• Serve as chief spokesperson at the bargaining table, managing proposals, counter-proposals, and final agreements.
• Anticipate union strategies and proactively develop responses based on data, precedent, and scenario analysis.

• Advise senior leadership and executive committees on labor strategy, negotiation positioning, and escalation decisions.
• Translate complex labor issues into clear financial, operational, and reputational impacts for decision-makers.
• Prepare briefing materials, decision frameworks, and negotiation mandates for executives and boards.

• Ensure labor agreements support productivity, flexibility, service levels, and cost competitiveness.
• Model the financial impact of contract provisions (wages, benefits, premiums, work rules, scheduling, and overtime).
• Collaborate with operations, finance, and HR to align labor terms with operating models and service commitments.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Industrial Relations or Human Resources or equivalent work experience required.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited institution strongly preferred.
• Active bar membership in any state a plus.

• Must have 10‑12+ years of significant demonstrated experience managing union relationships, negotiating labor agreements and/or union dispute resolution.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a law firm or corporate legal department handling labor law issues, preferably including arbitration experience.
• Prior experience in labor relations or employment law in a unionized environment required.
• Prior working experience in transportation or warehouse settings a plus.

Competitive wages along with a great benefits package for full-time employees: medical, dental, vision, paid time off, employee discounts, and much more.

EOE, Drug Free Workplace