Labor Relations Manager

Reston Association; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Richmond, represented by Reston Association, is seeking a strategic Labor Relations Manager. This role involves critical tasks such as supporting labor-management relations, administering collective bargaining, and managing grievances.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and significant experience in labor relations, with strong analytical and communication skills required. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [e-mail].

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in labor relations within a unionized environment.
• Experience with financial costing and impact analysis related to labor agreements.
• Experience supporting multiple bargaining units is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support labor-management relations and collective bargaining administration.
• Manage contract administration and grievance resolution.
• Provide analytics and policy interpretation.

Skills

Strong analytical capabilities

Exceptional written and verbal skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or related field

Master’s degree in Public Administration or related field

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

The City of Richmond is seeking a strategic and analytical Labor Relations Manager to support labor-management relations and collective bargaining administration.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Human Resources or designee, this position plays a critical role in contract administration, grievance resolution, labor negotiations support, analytics, policy interpretation, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and Virginia public-sector labor laws. The City of Richmond has five (5) recognized bargaining units. This is a high-visibility role requiring sound judgment, discretion, analytical rigor, a proactive approach, and the ability to navigate complex labor environments in a municipal setting

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a closely related field, along with five to seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in labor relations, employee relations, or human resources within a unionized environment. Experience supporting multiple bargaining units is preferred, as is prior supervisory or management experience. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong working knowledge of public-sector labor relations—preferably within the Commonwealth of Virginia—and the ability to interpret and administer complex collective bargaining agreements with precision and sound judgment.

This individual must bring strong analytical capabilities, including experience with financial costing and impact analysis related to labor agreements and personnel matters. Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills are essential, as is the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven and politically sensitive environment. The role requires a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and political awareness, along with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools. A master’s degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field is preferred, as is experience supporting police, fire, public works, or general government bargaining units. Experience preparing arbitration materials and relevant HR or labor relations certifications (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PSHRA-CP, or PSHRA-SCP) will further distinguish strong candidates.

To Apply

The City of Richmond has partnered with POLIHIRE to identify the Labor Relations Manager. To be considered, please submit a cover letter outlining your experience, and a resume to: [e-mail].