Labor Relations Specialist

HMSHost; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Generous PTO

401(k) with company match

Company paid life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Training and career growth

Referral bonus

Job summary

HMSHost is seeking a Labor Relations Specialist to support administration of labor relations programs, interpret CBAs, and assist with grievance and arbitration activities. This role partners with People & Culture and operations to promote compliant labor practices and operational efficiency.

The position requires deep expertise in labor relations, strong communication, and the ability to analyze workforce data to guide leadership decisions.

Qualifications

• Requires 5+ years in Labor Relations with knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, grievance & arbitration processes.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in HR/IR or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in hospitality, food & beverage, or unionized environments is a plus.
• Proven ability to interpret contracts, analyze data, and counsel leadership on labor-related matters.

Responsibilities

• Administers labor relations programs and contract provisions for managers and People & Culture partners.
• Interprets CBAs and guides operations on contract administration and labor practices.
• Supports grievance handling by researching issues, compiling docs, and recommending actions.
• Assists with arbitration prep and labor-related proceedings, coordinating information requests and stakeholders.
• Tracks CBA obligations, renewal timelines, and implementation requirements.
• Collaborates with Payroll, Benefits, HR Technology, and Finance on labor-related programs.
• Performs labor relations analyses, identifying trends and providing strategic recommendations.
• Audits compliance with CBAs and policies, identifying risks and corrective actions.
• Maintains labor relations records and materials for negotiations, grievances, and decision-making.
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes, documentation, and compliance.

Skills

Labor relations

Collective bargaining

Grievance administration

Arbitration support

Data analysis

HR systems

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Industrial Relations, or related field

Advanced degree in HR or Industrial Relations

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Labor relations software

Job description

With a career at HMSHost, you really benefit! We Offer

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, flex or sick)
• *401(k) retirement plan with company match
• *Company paid life insurance
• *Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• Training and exciting career growth opportunities
• Referral program – refer a friend and earn a bonus

*Benefits may vary by position so ask your recruiter for details.

Purpose:

The Labor Relations Specialist supports the administration and execution of labor relations programs across the organization. The role serves as a resource to People & Culture partners, operational leaders, and business stakeholders by providing guidance on collective bargaining agreements, supporting grievance administration, conducting labor relations analyses, monitoring compliance, and assisting with labor-related initiatives to promote positive labor-management relationships and operational effectiveness.

Essential Functions:

• Administers labor relations programs, policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreement provisions while serving as a resource to managers and People & Culture partners on labor-related matters
• Interprets collective bargaining agreements and provides guidance to Operations leaders, People & Culture teams, and business stakeholders regarding contract administration and labor relations practices
• Supports grievance administration by researching issues, gathering documentation, preparing case summaries, and recommending appropriate courses of action consistent with collective bargaining agreement provisions and company practices
• Assists with arbitration preparation and other labor-related proceedings by compiling documentation, conducting analyses, coordinating information requests, and supporting internal and external stakeholders
• Tracks collective bargaining agreement obligations, renewal timelines, and implementation requirements while ensuring contract provisions are administered appropriately
• Partners with Payroll, HR Technology, Benefits, Operations, and People & Culture teams to support the administration and implementation of labor-related programs, policies, and collective bargaining agreement provisions
• Conducts labor relations analyses, reviews workforce and labor-related data, identifies trends, and develops recommendations to support compliance, operational effectiveness, and informed decision-making
• Audits and monitors compliance with collective bargaining agreements, labor relations policies, and established practices while identifying potential risks and recommending corrective actions
• Maintains labor relations records, documentation, reports, and metrics and prepares materials used to support labor negotiations, grievance administration, arbitration preparation, and business decision-making
• Identifies opportunities to improve labor relations processes, documentation standards, compliance practices, and operational procedures while supporting continuous improvement initiatives

Reporting Relationship:

The Labor Relations Specialist reports into the Senior Director of Labor Relations

Major Interdependencies:

People & Culture, Operations Leadership, Payroll, Benefits, HR Technology, Legal, Finance, Union Representatives, Business Leaders, and Employee Relations stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:

• Education and Experience: The combination of education and professional experience must exceed 5 years:
• In a technical role: Requires 5 years of Labor Relations experience engaged in developing and delivering labor relations, collective bargaining agreement administration, grievance management, labor compliance, and employee relations programs
• A bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field can count for 3 of the 5-year requirement
• In the industry: Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Retail, Travel Retail, Distribution, Transportation, or other unionized workforce experience of 3-5 years preferred
• Specialized Training:
• Training that leads to an in-depth understanding of Labor Relations, collective bargaining agreement administration, grievance processes, arbitration preparation, labor compliance, and employee relations
• Knowledge of state and federal labor laws, employment regulations, collective bargaining practices, labor compliance requirements, and union-management relations
• Specialized Skillset/Competencies/Traits
• Business acumen and the mindset required to understand the long-term implications of labor relations planning and to advance organizational goals
• Demonstrated history of understanding the needs of the business, stakeholders, the employee population, union representatives, and individual circumstances
• Demonstrated history of creating and maintaining positive work environments through coaching, developing, influencing, and collaborating with leaders and employees to achieve common goals
• Ability to interpret collective bargaining agreements and provide guidance regarding contract administration and labor relations matters
• Ability to analyze labor relations issues, identify trends, evaluate risks, and develop recommendations for leaders and People & Culture partners
• Strong communication, relationship-building, conflict resolution, consultation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive labor and employee matters
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, HR systems, reporting tools, and labor relations documentation processes
• Location: This position is based at the North America Support Center in Bethesda, MD

Avolta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates (“the Company”), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti-discrimination laws andregulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members withoutregard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as “protected characteristics”).

Source: HMSHost