Principal or Senior Labor Relations Consultant

Xcel Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 98,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)

Parental Leave

Job summary

Xcel Energy in Denver, CO seeks a strategic Labor Relations leader to negotiate labor agreements, interpret corporate policies, and guide executive interfaces. You will lead union engagement, advise business units on collective bargaining, and oversee cost analyses to minimize liability.

This role partners with project teams, contractors, and union representatives to deliver outcomes aligned with the company’s labor strategy and compliance standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations, HRM, Business Administration or equivalent.
• 8 years in Labor Relations, Employee Relations or management.
• Minimum of 5 years working with bargaining unit employees.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations and interpret corporate policies for labor agreements.
• Manage relationships between local union and management per labor strategy.
• Develop strategies to meet corporate goals and address business needs.
• Oversee union organizing drives and Company responses to activity.
• Provide expert testimony and research on policy, employment and labor law.
• Advise management on interpretation/ administration of collective bargaining agreements.

Skills

Labor relations

Union relations

Employee relations

Policy interpretation

Negotiation

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations, HRM, Business Admin

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

Position Summary

Provide strategic direction to various Operating Company Leadership and interface with Union Executives for the purpose of negotiating labor agreements and interpretation of corporate policies. Serves as Lead Negotiator for interim and general Labor Agreements as well as grievance and arbitration resolutions. Primary responsibility for corporate compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations pertaining to employee/labor relations. Assumes a leadership role in balancing consultant workload and manages the implementation of systematic processes to improve workforce relations products and services. Provide strategic direction, guidance and consultation to business unit leaders that improve overall effectiveness of the business and ensure alignment of Workforce Relations and business unit strategies processes and practices.

Essential Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing an effective and collaborative working relationship between the local union and Business Unit company management assuring alignment with the Xcel Energy Labor Strategy.
• Develops and manages strategies to achieve corporate goals and initiatives for agreements and solutions to business needs (Business Unit) which may include brokering of services to internal/external vendors, direct services and/ or referral to appropriate Xcel experts.
• Strategically coordinating and overseeing the Company's managerial activities regarding union organizing drives. Manages the implementation of the Company's response to such activity.
• Serves as Lead Negotiator for large interim agreements. Works independently to provide expert testimony and research services on company policy, employment and labor law, bargaining agreements in processing grievances, ULP charges, arbitrations and other litigation to minimize corporate liability and exposure.
• Provide overall direction in the development and implementation through specific cost avoidance analysis, forecasting analysis and cost benefit analysis for potential modifications to Labor Agreements. Direct, influence, guide and advise Company management (Business Unit specific) regarding interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, letters of understandings and corporate policy.
• Responsible for conducting customer needs analysis regarding training requests from the various Business Units and assuring resource availability.
• Responsible for leading labor relations activities associated with Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), community workforce agreements, prevailing wage obligations, and other labor requirements applicable to public works and large capital projects. Partners with project teams, contractors, and union representatives to mitigate labor risk and ensure successful project delivery.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Relations, Human Resources Management, Business Administration or equivalent education and /or experience.
• 8 years of progressively, responsible experience in Labor Relations, Employee Relations or management experience.
• Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of experience working with bargaining unit employees is required.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $97,600.00 to $138,600.00 per year

This position is eligible for the following benefits:

• Annual Incentive Program
• Medical/Pharmacy Plan
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Care Reimbursement Account
• Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account
• Short-term disability (STD)
• Long-term disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit programs
• Employee recognition program
• Pension
• 401(k) plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO)
• Parental Leave

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 10/01/26

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ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

As a leading combination electricity and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity and 1.9 million natural gas customers across eight Western and Midwestern states. At Xcel Energy, we strive to be the preferred and trusted provider of the energy our customers need. If you’re ready to be a part of something big, we invite you to join our team.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail].