Senior Manager, Employee & Labor Relations

Cox Automotive; Manheim (PA); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible vacation policy

Paid holidays

Wellness time off

Job summary

Cox Automotive seeks a Senior Manager, Employee & Labor Relations to oversee the Employee Relations investigation function and lead a team of ER professionals across the U.S. The role focuses on proactive labor relations strategy, guiding managers, and partnering with legal and communications to implement readiness plans.

The position requires experience with unions, data-driven insights, and the ability to travel up to 15% and work in a hybrid/remote setup for eligible locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline with 8+ years in Employee/Labor Relations.
• 3+ years leading and directing others' work with performance feedback.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. labor and employment laws, NLRA rules.
• Experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Employee Relations professionals.
• Conduct sensitive investigations and provide guidance on outcomes.
• Identify trends and support programs to improve engagement and relations.
• Work with Employment Counsel and Communications on readiness plans.
• Support negotiations and renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements.

Skills

Team leadership

Employee relations

Labor relations

Investigation skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Cox Automotive is currently looking for a Senior Manager, Employee & Labor Relations to join our team. Atlanta, Georgia is the preferred location for this role, which follows a hybrid work arrangement. Candidates must reside within the Eastern or Central time zones of the United States. Candidates located outside of Atlanta but within the Eastern or Central time zones will be considered for remote employment.

The Role:

The Senior Manager, Employee & Labor Relations provides operational oversight for the Employee Relations investigation function, leading a team of Employee Relations professionals, and oversees the Company's proactive labor relations strategy across the U.S., including executing and overseeing a sustainable Positive Employee Relations (PER) program focused on proactive employee engagement strategies, providing guidance on labor relations matters, and, in partnership with the Director of Employee & Labor Relations, designing/implementing action plans to mitigate risk.

Responsibilities:

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of Employee Relations professionals, providing day-to-day guidance, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Conduct sensitive or escalated investigations.
• In partnership with the Director of Employee & Labor Relations and other Employee Relations team management, identify trends and support the creation and implementation of programs and initiatives to support positive employee relations, improve management practices, and increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Monitor and analyze external trends and regulatory changes and provide updates and insights to senior leadership regarding same.
• Partner with the legal function to develop, implement, and lead rapid response plans to address activism incidents and third-party activity.
• Advise Positive Employee Relations Advisors, other HRBPs, and leaders on labor relations matters.
• Deliver Positive Employee Relations training for managers and other labor relations training/education and train others to deliver such training.
• Support local HR and internal and external counsel in the interpretation and routine re-negotiation of any existing collective bargaining agreements.
• Support, identify, and facilitate regular team learning and professional development opportunities.
• Partner collaboratively with Employment Counsel, the Communications team, and other internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive readiness plans.
• Perform other duties as requested, including supporting employee relations investigations, HR compliance activities, and policy and compliance training support.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline and 8 years of progressive Employee Relations and Labor Relations experience. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree and 6 years of experience; a Ph.D. and 3 years of experience; or 12 years' experience in a related field.
• 3+ years' experience in which the individual assigned and prioritized others' work, reviewed and approved final deliverables, and provided performance input, including feedback and coaching.
• Understanding of U.S. labor and employment laws and guidelines; including specific proficiency in National Labor Relations Act rules and precedent.
• Direct experience working with labor unions, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience working with quantitative and qualitative data and using it to tell a compelling, relevant story.
• Team player with superior customer focus and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience maintaining confidential information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Familiarity with employee engagement and offboarding survey tools.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively across functional areas.
• Ability to think strategically and act tactically.
• Ability to lead, consult with, and influence business leaders.
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.
• For candidates located outside of Atlanta, ability to work successfully in a fully remote environment, with periodic travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience within a centralized Employee Relations model.
• HR or Labor Relations certification.
• Strong ability to use advanced technology for remote meetings and training.
• Experience and interest in using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Claude.

USD 111,500.00 - 185,900.00 per year

Compensation:

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $111,500.00 - $185,900.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Benefits:

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.

EOE, including disability/vets