Director of Labor Relations

Albertsons Companies

Itasca (IL)

On-site

USD 140,000 - 210,000

Full time

10 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Access to earned wage advances (Stream

Employee discounts

Health, dental & 401k benefits

Paid time off

Training & career development

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

Albertsons Companies seeks a Director of Labor Relations to lead bargaining, contract administration, and strategic labor-management initiatives. You will supervise a team of Labor Relations Managers, negotiate terms with unions, and coordinate with HR directors to align contracts with business goals.

The role requires JD and bar admission, 5+ years in labor/employment law, and strong writing and negotiation skills. This on-site position offers comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

JD and state bar strongly preferred.
5+ years in labor & employment law and/or leading union negotiations.
Excellent writing and negotiation abilities.
Ability to work in cross-functional teams and reach consensus.
Knowledge of business operations, long-term goals, and contract drafting.
Legal knowledge related to writing and interpreting contracts.
Ability to engage diplomatically with unions and external groups; translate needs into contracts.
Knowledge of pension/benefit programs and typical costs.
Knowledge of jointly managed trusts and their administration.
Familiarity with federal/state requirements (DOL, EEOC, HIPAA, ADA).

Responsibilities

Negotiate, administer, and implement labor contracts for Jewel Osco Division.
Supervise Labor Relations Managers in dealings with unions and divisions.
Draft proposals, review union requests, and finalize contract terms.
Serve as SME on contracts and handle escalated employee issues and terminations.
Coordinate with HR leaders to manage resolutions and strategic direction.
Oversee trusts in labor-management-health-benefit programs; select providers and monitor costs.

Skills

Juris Doctorate (JD)

State bar member

Union negotiations

Writing skills

Negotiation skills

Contract development

Contract interpretation

Liaising with unions

Pension/benefit knowledge

Trusts administration knowledge

DOL/EEOC/HIPAA/ADA knowledge

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Why choose us?

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Join us for an exciting opportunity at Albertsons Companies, where innovation and customer service go hand-in-hand! At Albertsons Companies, we are looking for someone who’s not just seeking a job, but someone who wants to make an impact. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to the growth of a company that values great service and lasting customer relationships. This position offers the chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that’s constantly evolving.

Main Responsibilities

The Director of Labor Relations is responsible for managing, negotiating, administering, and implementing contracts, agreements, bargaining/negotiations and collective bargaining agreements for the Jewel Osco Division including the Melrose Distribution Center and occasionally assist with such work at 1-2 other Divisions in the Eastern United States. This role also regularly handles traditional labor questions/issues, union organizing, interpretation of complex contract terms, policies or rules, discipline/employment related issues as well as serving as a trustee on Taft-Hartley pension and healthcare trust funds. This role further supervises a team of Labor Relations Managers in their direct interaction with local unions and local business units. Finally, this role serves as a liaison between the Senior Leadership in the Divisions and the Local Unions regarding all aspects of our business, including technological advances, new business initiatives, changes in the law, efforts to make our business stronger and more viable as well as changes and/or modifications to terms and conditions of employment for our unionized associates.

The position will be based in one of our Jewel Osco regional offices.

Work with union representatives to ensure proper administration of contracts.

Supervise team of Labor Relations Managers in their direct interaction with Local unions, unionized associates, and Division Leadership.

Work with management to determine the needs of the business (quality, safety, performance, etc.) and work with union representatives to work towards an agreement. This includes drafting initial proposals and reviewing union requests and feedback. Must negotiate terms that best satisfy the needs of our employees and overall business. Once terms have been agreed upon work on putting together the final contract and communicating the terms to all management and employees as applicable.

Act as the subject matter expert on contracts and manage and handle all escalated employee issues or problems related to the interpretation of the contracts. Negotiate and resolve difficult problems including discharge and termination of employees. Partner closely with Human Resources Directors/Vice Presidents for Divisions as needed to manage and administer any resolutions. Provide strategic direction and manage precedent setting issues or cases that come up that could have a significant impact to the business and operations.

Jointly manage trusts between labor, management, and third-party service providers. Work with actuaries to determine projected costs and associated expenses to administer and fund different health and disability plan options. Identify and select a contract with third party negotiators (benefit providers, clinics) that will handle the payment and administration of the benefits. Review the benefit financial statements on a quarterly basis and audit/ monitor these accounts to ensure expenses are in line with expectations and that the trusts are properly funded.

Collaborate closely with management and ensure that contract terms and rules are properly adhered to.

Partner with unions daily to manage day-to-day issues and ongoing contract negotiations. Work with federal and state regulators on compliance and employer requirement standards and laws. Federal and local agencies include DOL, FLSA, ERISA, ADA HIPAA and the EEOC, etc.

Works closely with payroll and other administrative departments to ensure proper interpretation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.

Travel – up to 50%.

We Are Looking For Candidates Who Possess The Following

Juris Doctorate (JD) and current member of state bar strongly preferred.

Five years plus years of experience at a Labor & Employment law firm and/or equivalent experience leading Union negotiations.

Excellent writing and negotiation skills.

Ability to work in cross functional teams and to work towards a consensus.

Knowledge of business operations with the ability to see the long-term. objectives and goals Superior writing and contract development skills required.

Legal knowledge as it relates to writing and interpreting contracts.

Ability to diplomatically deal with difficult external groups and unions that have completely different objectives Ability to partner with management to determine the business needs and ensure that these areas are captured in the contracts.