Director, Labor Relations

AGC of California; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AGC of California is seeking a Director of Labor Relations in Northern California. You will advocate for members on union labor issues, manage MLA/UCC processes, and coordinate committee activities with the AVP and ELT. The role requires handling grievance hearings, data reporting, and active engagement with unions across multiple contracts.

You will supervise staff, oversee contract administration, and drive staff development while supporting strategic labor management initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in business or social sciences.
• Five years’ experience in labor relations with at least two years in construction labor relations.
• Three to five years of direct experience in labor contract negotiations on behalf of management preferred.
• A valid CA driver’s license and proof of auto insurance are required.

Responsibilities

• Provides proper and proactive labor relations advocacy, contract interpretation and application assistance, and direct representation services to members on their Union labor issues, disputes, grievances and/or concerns.
• Works collaboratively and establishes highly effective working relationships with members, leaders, association wide colleagues and union representatives.
• Manages the contract administration of collective bargaining agreements/Master Labor Agreements (MLAs) and the UCC and Committee Rosters, Distribution Lists and Member & Non-Member Signatory Rosters.
• Manages the contract administrator and/or administrative support staff for the Northern California labor relations department.
• Manages grievance advocacy & provides membership with support; including, but not limited to: answering inquiries, preparing documents, and scheduling hearings.
• Responsible for member engagement in the collective bargaining process involving multiple contracts, including strategy development and market condition adaptations.
• Maintains ongoing relationships with union officials and coordinates labor management events and meetings.
• Compiles and distributes newsletters, memos, articles and reports to members and staff.
• Tracks member Power of Attorney (POAs) and maintains membership database; notifies Unions of changes.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to management.

Skills

Labor relations advocacy

Contract interpretation

Stakeholder relations

Meeting coordination

Grievance management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or social sciences

Job description

SUMMARY

The Director, Labor Relations, Northern California will be responsible for grievance management and will work in conjunction with the AVP, Labor Relations, Northern California (AVP), to provide labor relations advocacy in the Northern California Region. The Director, Labor Relations will also be responsible for managing a variety of functions such as anticipating and identifying labor issues, responding to labor relations calls and electronic communications, maintaining official membership records, compiling data and surveys, preparing publications and bulletins, and developing and coordinating events and projects. The Director, Labor Relations will also support the AVP in organizing and facilitating the Union Contractors Council (UCC), Trustee Coordinating Committee (TCC), craft committees, and relevant labor management projects and meetings.

As part of the Associations senior staff and direct ambassador of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Director will promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning including the development of staff using a supportive and collaborative approach. The Director is also responsible for establishing and monitoring staff development goals through assigning accountability by setting objectives, establishing priorities and following up accordingly.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides proper and proactive labor relations advocacy, contract interpretation and application assistance, and direct representation services to members on their Union labor issues, disputes, grievances and/or concerns.
• Works collaboratively and establishes highly effective working relationships with members, leaders, association wide colleagues and union representatives.
• Provides support for the management of the Contract Administration function; including, but not limited to:
  • Manages the contract administration of collective bargaining agreements/Master Labor Agreements (MLAs) and the UCC and Committee Rosters, Distribution Lists and Member & Non-Member Signatory Rosters.
  • Manages the contract administrator and/or administrative support staff for the Northern California labor relations department.
• Provides staff support for the UCC, TCC and Committees; including, but not limited to:
  • Manages the coordination, preparation and organization of meetings, meeting materials & minutes and action items.
  • Provides research, intelligence and informed guidance to the AVP, members of the ELT and the Chairs and Committees at meetings and in the discussions with Union Officials.
  • Advises the UCC and Committees on labor issues and trends.
  • Ensures all AGC-CA Union Trustee positions are maintained by AGC.
• Manages grievance advocacy & provides membership with support; including, but not limited to:
  • Answering inquiries/questions regarding administration of disputes associated with MLA’s.
  • Prepares all required documents and sets up grievance hearings.
  • Keeps all notes and records of meetings.
• Responsible for member engagement in the collective bargaining process involving multiple contracts throughout the north state including, but not limited to:
  • Achieving localized labor objectives, including providing support to the AVP and SVP on the development and execution of strategy.
  • Identifying issues and positions, drafting contract proposals and contract language. Understanding benefits plans and programs.
  • Preparation and/or review of compensation and financial analyses, contingency planning for work stoppages.
  • Advising Committees on special agreements to meet market conditions.
• Maintains ongoing relationship with union officials. Works with the AVP to develop, coordinate and plan labor management events and meetings.
• Responsible for compiling and distributing newsletters, memos, articles and reports to members and necessary staff.
• Responsible for answering member inquiries about issues such as prevailing wage rates, DIR classification and process, including basic information regarding Master Labor Agreement questions.
• Tracks member Power of Attorney (POAs), advises Unions when there is a change to a POA. Maintains accurate membership database with member information and notifies Unions of changes.
• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position supervises a Labor Contracts Manager. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

This position has a 30% travel requirement.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from four-year college or university in business or social sciences and/or five (5) years’ experience in labor relations with at least two (2) years in construction labor relations with three (3) to five (5) years of direct experience in labor contract negotiations on behalf of management preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, & REGISTRATIONS

A current CA driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance are required.