Talence Group | Executive & Leadership Search

Head of Labor Relations

Talence Group | Executive & Leadership Search

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Portland • Oregon • United States

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Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Develop and lead a **coordinated, enterprise-wide labor relations strategy** that promotes short-and long-term planning and coherence across multiple collective bargaining agreements.
  • Plan across bargaining cycles to establish disciplined approaches to preparation, sequencing, and prioritization that support predictable labor outcomes.
  • Serve as the **lead negotiator and management spokesperson** for collective bargaining agreements, including development of bargaining strategy, proposals, and settlement frameworks.
  • Prepare and execute **Memorandums of Agreement, Understanding, and Exception**, as well as supplemental agreements.
  • Monitor labor relations trends, statutory changes, and legal decisions to inform negotiation strategy.
  • Act as a **trusted advisor and representative of management** in highly visible labor matters across aviation, marine operations, public safety, and other business lines.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of operations and represented work groups through direct engagement, ensuring labor leadership is grounded in how work is performed.
  • Oversee the **interpretation and administration** of collective bargaining agreements, work rules, and related policies.
  • Lead and represent the organization in **grievance management, mediations, arbitrations, and Employment Relations Board proceedings**, in coordination with legal counsel.
  • **Lead cross-functional collaboration** with HR, Payroll, Benefits, Legal, and Finance to evaluate the **financial implications and enterprise-wide impacts** of labor agreements across bargaining units.
  • **Advance labor strategies** that balance wage and benefit structures, cost sustainability, and long-term workforce affordability within a public-sector environment.
  • Strengthen **documentation and knowledge management** related to labor practices, side agreements, and contract interpretation to reduce risk and preserve institutional knowledge.
  • Promote clarity and consistency in the application of labor provisions across departments.
  • Design and deliver training for managers on labor relations fundamentals, contract application, and effective labor management practices.
  • **Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management** for direct report, ensuring high professional standards and continuity in labor relations practices.

Requirements

  • **WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE IN YOUR BACKGROUND...**
  • - **8+ years** of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, including leading or owning complex collective bargaining negotiations and advising senior leaders.
  • - Experience in a **public-sector or highly unionized, complex organization** with multiple bargaining units and varied contract provisions.
  • - Strong working knowledge of **labor law**, collective bargaining, grievance and arbitration processes, and applicable federal and state regulations, including **Oregon PECBA or comparable frameworks**.
  • - Working understanding of the **financial implications** of labor agreements and experience partnering with **Payroll, Benefits, Finance, and Legal**.
  • - Proven ability to **influence**, build trust, and remain calm and effective in high-stakes, high-visibility situations.
  • - Experience improving **documentation, consistency, or knowledge management** related to labor practices or contract interpretation.
  • - Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field; **Master’s degree and/or CLRP, PHR, or SPHR preferred**.
Benefits
  • Medical, dental, vision, basic Life and AD&D, FSA/HRA, STD, LTD, PTO, PERS

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
collective bargaininggrievance managementarbitrationlabor lawcontract interpretationnegotiation strategyfinancial implications of labor agreementsdocumentation managementtraining deliveryperformance management
Soft skills
influencetrust buildingcalmness under pressureleadershipcoachingcollaborationcommunicationproblem-solvingstrategic planningadaptability
Certifications
CLRPPHRSPHRBachelor’s degree in Labor RelationsBachelor’s degree in Human ResourcesBachelor’s degree in BusinessBachelor’s degree in Social SciencesMaster’s degree in Labor RelationsMaster’s degree in Human ResourcesMaster’s degree in Business