Sr Labor Relations Consultant

nisource; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NiSource in Staunton, VA is seeking a Senior Consultant to act as a trusted advisor on labor and employee relations in a unionized environment. You will administer CBAs, conduct investigations, manage grievances, and support arbitration as needed.

You will partner with leaders and cross-functional teams to apply labor policies consistently, analyze metrics, and develop strategies to improve engagement while mitigating risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, HR, or related field.
• 5+ years in labor/employee relations or HR with a represented workforce.
• Experience interpreting CBAs, managing grievances, conducting investigations.
• Working knowledge of federal/state employment laws incl NLRB/EEOC/DOL.
• Strong verbal and written communication; ability to influence leaders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fact-finding investigations and administer corrective action per CBAs and just cause standards.
• Advise leaders in responding to grievances and employee relations concerns.
• Manage grievance processes, including meetings and leader readiness.
• Support arbitration activities and case preparation.
• Draft and review MOAs and MOUs.
• Facilitate resolution of workplace disputes with employees, leaders, and unions.
• Provide guidance on CBA interpretation and labor policies.
• Support labor relations strategies and contract negotiations.
• Build relationships with union leadership to support problem-solving.

Skills

Labor relations

Employee relations

CBAs interpretation

Investigations

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Consultant serves as a trusted advisor to leaders, employees, and union representatives by administering and supporting labor and employee relations programs in a unionized environment. This role is responsible for interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), conducting workplace investigations, managing grievance processes, facilitating labor-management discussions, drafting labor-related agreements, and supporting collective bargaining activities.

The Senior Consultant partners with business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to promote positive employee relations, ensure consistent application of labor policies and practices, mitigate workplace risk, and support compliance with applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements. The role also supports the development and execution of labor and employee relations strategies through data analysis, reporting, risk assessments, leader training, and other workforce interventions designed to enhance organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.

Essential Functions

Labor Relations

• Conduct fact-finding investigations and administer corrective action processes in accordance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), just cause standards, and company policies.
• Advise and support leaders in responding to grievances and employee relations concerns.
• Manage grievance processes, including preparation, facilitation of grievance meetings, and leader readiness.
• Support arbitration activities, including case preparation, documentation, and serving as a company representative or witness when needed.
• Draft and review labor-related agreements, including memorandums of agreement (MOAs) and memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
• Facilitate resolution of workplace disputes involving employees, leaders, and union representatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with union leadership to support collaborative problem-solving and issue resolution.
• Provide day-to-day guidance on CBA interpretation, labor policies, and represented employee matters.
• Support labor relations strategies, bargaining initiatives, and contract negotiations that align with business objectives.

Employee Relations & Workforce Engagement

• Promote positive employee relations by addressing workplace concerns, supporting fair and consistent practices, and helping maintain an engaging work environment.
• Support labor and employee relations strategies, including union avoidance, organizing campaigns, and workforce engagement initiatives.
• Track, analyze, and report employee and labor relations metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with Talent Management and HR teams to develop and deliver leader training on employee and labor relations topics.

Leader Consultation & Enablement

• Coach and advise leaders on employee and labor relations matters, emerging workplace trends, and potential workforce risks.
• Provide strategic guidance on the administration of CBAs, labor relations practices, and compliance with applicable laws and company policies.
• Serve as a labor relations consultant to business partners and support functions on issues impacting represented employees and unionized workgroups.
• Help leaders navigate complex employee relations situations by recommending practical, compliant, and business-focused solutions.

Required Qualifications For Position

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in labor relations, employee relations, human resources, or a related role supporting a represented workforce.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), managing grievances, conducting workplace investigations, and supporting labor negotiations.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and labor regulations, including experience handling matters involving agencies such as the NLRB, EEOC, and Department of Labor (DOL).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build credibility and establish effective relationships with leaders at all levels.
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and departments.
• Proactive and creative approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• Ability to manage complex employee cases in a high-volume environment.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on employee relations trends and best practices.
• Ability to recognize and appropriately escape sensitive or high-risk issues.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

Please note: Must be able to regularly work on-site within the assigned service territory , including support of locations in Staunton, VA; Vint Hill, VA; Warrenton, VA; York,