Director Labor Relations & Employee Relations

Republic Services; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Republic Services is seeking a Director of Labor & Employee Relations at its Phoenix headquarters. The role is hybrid—4 days onsite, 1 day remote—and will drive labor relations strategy to foster safety, productivity, and trust across a large, multi-state footprint.

You will lead a team, partner with senior leaders, and oversee education programs, campaigns, and negotiations as needed. Travel up to 75% may be required as duties evolve within a nationwide organization.

Qualifications

• Extensive labor relations strategy experience in a large, multi-state organization.
• Proven leadership of teams and coaching of labor relations professionals.
• Experience supporting union campaigns and bargaining processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads Labor Relations team to develop and implement positive employee relations strategies.
• Partners with leaders and HR across non-union sites nationwide.
• Supports campaigns, elections, and post-election actions as needed.

Skills

Labor relations strategy

People leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Project management

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Job description

This position is a hybrid role based at Republic Service's headquarters in Phoenix, AZ. Hybrid is 4-days per week onsite, and 1-day remote. This position will not be eligible to be fully remote.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director, Labor & Employee Relations is responsible for the development and execution of labor and employee relations strategy to support a positive work environment that promotes safety and productivity, employee satisfaction, effective communication, and a culture of teamwork and trust.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads a team of Labor Relations professionals in developing and implementing plans that promote positive employee relations, minimize conflict, and improve employee engagement.
• Builds strong partnerships with and supports people leaders and HR professionals at non-union-represented sites across the country.
• Develops, implements, maintains, and manages the Company’s labor relations education and training programs. Ensures the effective implementation of labor relations and positive employee relations strategies through training and partnering with internal customers.
• Proactively identifies, assesses, trains, and supports Company locations that would benefit from a more positive environment.
• Develops and maintains relationships with employees and establishes stronger communication between employees and the Company. Listens to employee concerns and appropriately suggests solutions to employees and management.
• Monitors industry trends and provides recommendations for best practices in positive employee relations.
• Investigates and handles certain employee complaints.
• Directs and/or supports representation campaigns, elections, post-campaign actions and related matters.
• Supports aspects of the collective bargaining agreement negotiation process, including occasional participation in and/or leading of negotiations and involvement in strike contingency planning.
• Provides labor relations advice to internal customers.
• Coordinates communications and implementation of certain company initiatives in the field.
• Supports labor relations-related aspects of potential acquisitions, including due diligence and integration.
• Provide guidance, direction, and coaching to Labor Relations team members, including assessing performance, providing feedback, and actively developing talent.
• This position may require travel up to 75% of the time.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned or apparent.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in an organization with a partially unionized workforce.
• Experience working in a large, decentralized multi-state organization.
• Thorough knowledge of NLRA and other related federal and state laws.
• Proven relationship builder with strong consultative, coaching, counseling, and conflict resolution skills.
• Business acumen, be innovative, adapt well to change and work collaboratively with strategic influence to drive initiatives across a matrixed environment.
• Ability to support senior level leaders in a manner that will effectively advance business strategies throughout their organizations.
• Project management and prioritization skills with proven attention to detail.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to a diverse, fast paced environment with changing priorities.
• Environmental services or transportation industry experience preferred.
• PHR certification preferred.
• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10 years of labor relations or progressive human resources experience that includes implementing labor strategy, developing, and implementing campaign strategy, and conducting labor relations-related training.
• Experience managing or having significant involvement in union election campaigns.
• Experience interpreting collective bargaining agreements and prior involvement in the collective bargaining negotiation process.
• 3 years of people leadership experience.