Strategic Labor Relations Manager – Public Transit

hartexternaljobs; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL seeks an accomplished Manager of Labor Relations. This leadership role partners with executives, legal counsel, and union reps to shape workforce strategy for a major transit agency serving 1.4 million residents.

Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, the Manager provides strategic guidance on labor relations, collective bargaining, employee relations, and workplace investigations, fostering collaboration across HR and compliance teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• Experience leading labor relations for a public-sector or transportation organization.
• Strong knowledge of Florida public-sector collective bargaining laws and unfair labor practice proceedings.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience conducting complex workplace investigations and resolving employee relations matters.
• Ability to build credibility with executive leadership, union officials, managers, employees, and governing boards.
• Strategic mindset balancing organizational objectives, legal compliance, and positive employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead labor relations activities for HART's unionized workforce, including collective bargaining support, contract administration, grievance resolution, and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Advise executives, managers, and supervisors on labor and employee relations matters while balancing operational needs with contractual obligations.
• Conduct complex workplace investigations involving employee relations, EEO, policy compliance, and workplace misconduct.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports, findings, and recommendations to support legally compliant employment decisions.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Legal, and Compliance to proactively address workforce issues and minimize risk.
• Develop positive labor-management relationships to promote engagement and organizational success.
• Monitor developments in labor and employment law and recommend policy and practice improvements.
• Assist with collective bargaining negotiations and support the administration of negotiated agreements.

Skills

Labor relations

Communication

Strategic mindset

Collaboration

Judgment

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field

Job description

Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL seeks an accomplished Manager of Labor Relations. This leadership role partners with executives, legal counsel, and union reps to shape workforce strategy for a major transit agency serving 1.4 million residents.

Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, the Manager provides strategic guidance on labor relations, collective bargaining, employee relations, and workplace investigations, fostering collaboration across HR and compliance teams.