Director, Labor Relations

Compass Minerals; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,500; Full time

Job summary

A leading minerals company is seeking a Director of Labor Relations to shape labor relations strategies and ensure effective collaboration across teams. This role involves leading negotiations for collective agreements, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and fostering a positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of labor relations experience and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. A competitive salary of $90,000 to $100,500 is offered for this role located in Overland Park, Kansas.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in complex labor relations.
• Demonstrated success as a lead negotiator.
• Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. and Canadian labor laws.

Responsibilities

• Lead labor relations strategies at the site level.
• Negotiate agreements that align organizational goals with employee well-being.
• Develop strike contingency plans.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and best practices.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Conflict management skills

Ability to persuade

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

Job description

Director of Labor Relations

As the Director of Labor Relations, you will play a pivotal role in shaping a positive and productive workplace culture. Reporting directly to the Vice President & General Counsel, you will lead labor relations strategy at the site level, ensuring alignment with the company’s overall vision.

In this role, you will:

• Partner across teams—including Legal, Site Management, and HR—to design and implement labor relations strategies that foster collaboration and trust.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson and subject matter expert during labor negotiations, guiding agreements that support both organizational goals and employee well-being.
• Drive initiatives that strengthen relationships with bargaining agencies and create a foundation for long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the charge in labor relations—own every aspect from contract negotiations to interpretation and administration.
• Be the voice of the company as the lead negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, crafting strategies and presenting positions with confidence and clarity.
• Shape the future of our operations by assessing union proposals, identifying risks, and recommending strategies that align with business goals.
• Build trust and influence—develop strong relationships with key stakeholders to drive positive outcomes and foster collaboration.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on complex labor matters, guiding management through contract administration, employee discipline, and grievance procedures.
• Resolve challenges effectively by investigating issues and providing actionable recommendations for problem resolution.
• Stay ahead of the curve with deep knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and the unique needs of our operations.
• Plan for the unexpected by developing robust strike contingency plans.
• Collaborate across the business with leaders, HR partners, and Legal to ensure union agreements support organizational success.
• Draft and review employment-related agreements.
• Advise on employment-related and other litigation matters.
• Develop and provide appropriate education and training on labor and employment matters.
• Ensure compliance and fairness by reviewing practices and data related to wages, hours, and working conditions. Stay ahead of changing regulations and implement best practices.
• Take on new challenges with additional responsibilities that keep your role dynamic and impactful.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited and reputable law school.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in complex labor relations, including demonstrated success as lead negotiator in collective bargaining.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable U.S. and Canadian labor laws and regulations.

Additional Experience

• Excellent communication, facilitation, conflict management and people skills including the ability to persuade others into mutual beneficial goals and settlements.
• Analytical and risk management skills; related to the costing of proposals and packages and mitigating risks related to work stoppages. Ability to execute data-driven strategies.

Compass Minerals is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are firmly committed to making all employment-related decisions without regard to race, ancestry, ethnicity, color, religious creed or belief, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy and breastfeeding), age, military or veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by law. Learn more about equal employment opportunity laws at dol.gov. June 2025

Location: Kansas City, MO

Salary: $90,000.00 - $100,500.00