Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist

SAIC; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC is seeking an experienced Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist to advise employees, managers, and leadership on complex ER and union matters. The role emphasizes investigations, policy interpretation, and fair contract administration across the enterprise.

Remote work is available 100% within the United States, with responsibilities spanning grievances, investigations, and supporting collective bargaining activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, labor relations, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive HR, employee relations, or labor relations experience.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing union grievances.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee and labor relations issues.
• Investigate complaints in union and non-union environments and document findings.
• Manage union grievances, mediations, arbitrations, and contract administration support.
• Advise on policies, CBAs, and contract interpretation to ensure fair application.
• Support collective bargaining, contract renewals, and regulatory compliance across states.

Skills

Conflict resolution

Investigations

Policy interpretation

Communication

Analytical thinking

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Labor Relations, or related field

Master's degree in HR or Labor Relations (preferred)

Tools

HRIS systems

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking an experienced and strategic Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist to join our Human Resources team. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to employees, managers, and leadership, with a strong focus on employee relations and union/labor relations. You will work closely with union representatives, support collective bargaining and contract administration, and help maintain constructive labor management relationships.

YOU WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN FOSTERING A POSITIVE, INCLUSIVE, AND PRODUCTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT BY MANAGING COMPLEX EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS MATTERS, ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR LAWS, AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS.

This position can be worked 100% remote within the U.S.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations and labor relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, grievances, and performance management concerns.
• Conduct thorough, objective, and timely investigations into employee complaints (harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other misconduct) in both union and non union environments.
• Manage formal union grievances, conduct related workplace investigations, and represent the organization during mediations, arbitrations, and other labor management dispute resolution processes.
• Document investigation findings and maintain accurate case files; recommend appropriate corrective actions in partnership with HR leadership and legal counsel.
• Advise managers and employees on the interpretation and application of company policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), ensuring consistent and fair application.
• Serve as a bridge between management and labor unions to:
• Support or participate in collective bargaining and contract renewals
• Interpret and administer CBAs
• Address contract compliance issues and resolve workplace disputes
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment and labor laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, NLRA).
• Review, develop, and update HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to reflect current legal requirements and best practices in employee and labor relations.
• Partner with legal counsel on complex employment and labor matters, including litigation support and responses to EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and other regulatory agency charges.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes impacting employment and labor relations and communicate relevant updates to HR leadership and management.
• Develop and deliver tools, resources, and training to build manager capability in employee and labor relations and to promote a positive, compliant workplace culture.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive HR, employee relations, or labor relations experience, with strong, hands on experience in union and labor relations.
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations and managing complex employee relations and labor relations cases, including union grievances.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and NLRA, and their application in unionized settings.
• Proven ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise investigation reports and labor relations documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to assess risk, identify trends, and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with employees, managers, union representatives, and leaders at all levels.
• US Citizenship is required.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field.
• Professional HR certification: PHR, SPHR.
• Experience in a multi state or multi site organization with both union and non union populations.
• Extensive, direct experience in union and labor relations, including collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance handling.
• Experience with HRIS systems.

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.