Sr. Manager, Activision Labor Relations

Activision Blizzard; Santa Monica (CA); Hybrid; USD 105,120 - 194,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Activision Blizzard is looking for a Sr. Manager, Labor Relations in Santa Monica, CA. This hybrid role focuses on overseeing collective bargaining agreements, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and providing strategic support during negotiations. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field and 7+ years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary between $105,120 and $194,400 annually, alongside comprehensive benefits including healthcare, paid leave, and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in HR, mediation, or collective bargaining roles.
• Experience in grievances, arbitrations, and negotiations preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation and administration of collective bargaining agreements.
• Provide guidance on contract interpretation to management.
• Manage and respond to union RFIs in compliance with legal obligations.

Skills

Expertise in National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)

Building trust-based relationships with union representatives

Collective bargaining agreement administration

Complex negotiations

Advising leaders

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Master’s degree in relevant fields

Job description

Job Title

Sr. Manager, Activision Labor Relations

Requisition ID

R027397

Job Description

Senior Manager, Labor Relations, will serve as part of the Human Resources team at Activision, a limited integration gaming studio of Microsoft. Collaboration with Microsoft Corporate Human Resources’ Labor Relations team. Key strategic & operational partner, providing support and labor relations guidance to key stakeholders. Responsible for effective implementation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). Ensures continued success of Activision gaming while applying Microsoft’s labor principles, building trust‑based relationships. Focus on CBA administration, grievance management, Requests for Information (RFIs), and training. Partners with Director, Labor Law, HR, business leadership to ensure compliance and alignment with company strategy.

Location

Santa Monica, CA (hybrid model, some on‑site, some remote)

Your Mission

Serve as a key partner to ensure compliance with labor laws and alignment with company strategy. Manage CBA administration, grievance handling, RFIs, and training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation and administration of collective bargaining agreements across Activision Publishing bargaining units.
• Provide guidance on contract interpretation to HR leaders and management, advise on obligations, risks, and best practices.
• Monitor compliance with contract terms including wages, working conditions, procedural requirements.
• Work with Legal to develop and maintain contract interpretation guidance and internal playbooks.
• Serve as primary point of contact for grievance process, intake, documentation, resolution.
• Collaborate with HR and Legal to determine strategy for grievance responses and potential arbitration.
• Represent company in grievance meetings and support arbitration preparation.
• Track grievance trends and recommend solutions to mitigate recurring issues.
• Resolve labor disputes through collaboration and constructive engagement.
• Manage and respond to union RFIs in compliance with legal obligations and contractual timelines.
• Coordinate with HR, ER, Legal, and operational leaders to gather and review responsive information.
• Provide strategic support during collective bargaining negotiations, including proposal review, costing analysis, scenario planning, leadership briefings.
• Partner with union leadership to build productive relationships.
• Design and deliver labor relations training programs for managers and HR partners.
• Provide ongoing labor relations coaching and support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Business, Law, or related field and 7+ years’ experience in HR, mediation or alternative dispute resolution, collective bargaining or ER-related roles.
• OR Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Industrial Relations, Law, or related field and 6+ years’ experience in HR, mediation, collective bargaining or Employee Relations.
• OR equivalent substantial experience.
• Expertise in National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and employment & HR laws, regulations, policies.
• Track record of building and sustaining trust‑based relationships with union representatives.
• Experience in collective bargaining agreement administration and implementation.
• Management-side experience in grievances, arbitrations, and/or negotiations.
• Ability to advise leaders and influence outcomes in complex situations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a complex, matrixed environment.

Preferred

• Experience supporting unionized environments within gaming, entertainment, technology or creative industries.
• Experience supporting inaugural CBA implementation.
• Experience in collective bargaining and/or arbitration.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills at all organizational levels.

Compensation

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $105,120.00 - $194,400.00 annually. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. Compensation may be negotiated based on experience and location.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance.
• 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching.
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leave, parental leave.
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance.
• Relocation assistance if required.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.