Sr. Director Labor Relations (100% Virtual Remote)

Overview

This role is responsible for shaping and leading the organization’s labor relations agenda while supporting an associate-focused culture. The Senior Director, Labor Relations partners with senior leadership to design strategies that foster positive labor-management relations, mitigate risk, and align with long-term business objectives.

This position is segmented as Remote Anywhere, meaning the work is completed 100% remote anywhere in the U.S. except Hawaii or United States Territories.

Responsibilities

• Direct labor relations activities, programs, and strategy implementation to achieve goals aligned with organizational objectives while fostering a culture where every associate feels valued and respected.
• Serve as chief spokesperson in contract negotiations, representing the organization and operationalizing labor policies that are market-competitive and strategically aligned, while reinforcing a culture of inclusion and respect.
• Provide advice and counsel in grievance-arbitration matters and occasionally act as company advocate in labor arbitration cases, ensuring consistent, fair, and equitable application of company policies and practices.
• Manage preparation and presentation of responses to charges under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) with integrity and transparency.
• Stay current on labor relations trends, case law, and best practices in the distribution industry, integrating relevant insights that support business objectives and associate engagement.
• Drive excellence in negotiations through thorough preparation and successful execution of labor contracts that balance organizational needs with associate value and respect.
• Assess and develop labor and employee relations training programs, in partnership with business leaders, to build organizational capability and reinforce a culture where associates feel valued and respected.
• Other duties as assigned by manager.

Relationships

• Internal: Executive Leadership; Supply Chain and Field Operational leadership; Human Resources; Legal; and Finance.
• External: Union representatives; National Labor Relations Board (NLRB); external labor counsel; industry associations; and consultants.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of labor relations experience, with relevant industry experience in retail, wholesale, manufacturing, consumer products, or distribution.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience presenting cases before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
• Extensive experience in development and execution of labor relations strategies.
• Hands-on experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and labor contracts.
• Proven ability to work with and influence leaders at all levels, from frontline supervisors to C-Suite executives.
• Willingness to travel up to 75% of the time.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline required.
• Law degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in leading labor relations within large, multi-site organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of labor law and grievance-arbitration processes.
• Track record of fostering a positive labor-management relationship and promoting a culture where associates feel valued and respected.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret labor trends and data to drive strategic decisions.
• Proven ability to develop and mentor labor relations teams or HR professionals.
• Experience managing high-profile or complex labor disputes with measurable outcomes.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual incentive plan bonus and a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).
• Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance.
• Expected base rate for this role is between $145,000 - $225,000.
• Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds).

Location

Remote Anywhere in the U.S. except Hawaii or United States Territories.