Vice President, Labor Relations

Eaton Corporation; Beachwood (OH); Hybrid; USD 203,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

Eaton Corporation is seeking a Vice President of Labor Relations to lead a strategic HR function, shaping Labor Relations strategy and practices for the US. The role may be based at any US Eaton location or remotely within the US, with significant travel.

The incumbent will oversee union negotiations, provide expert guidance on labor laws, and align policies with business objectives while reporting to the VP of Employee Relations, Labor Relations and HR Functional Excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 12+ years of progressive HR/Labor Relations experience, leading labor relations strategies for a large company.
• Senior executive leadership experience in a collaborative global environment.
• Extensive end-to-end union negotiations experience, including collective bargaining.
• Eaton will not sponsor immigration for this position.

Responsibilities

• Advise business and HR leadership on labor and union matters in the U.S. and Mexico.
• Lead negotiations and manage terms of collective bargaining agreements and related policies.
• Develop and implement union awareness programs and appropriate management responses to campaigns.
• Ensure contract compliance and policy reviews through industrial labor relations programs.
• Guide leadership on disciplinary and grievance issues within the union population.
• Engage with sites for early issue identification and de-escalation of disputes.
• Maintain awareness of union activities and advise on strategic responses to organizing.
• Travel up to 50% as anticipated for this role.

Skills

Executive leadership

Labor relations strategy

Negotiation

Global collaboration

Union negotiations

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Eaton is hiring a Vice President, Labor Relations within Corporate Human Resources. The preferred location for this position is at the US HQ in Beachwood, Ohio, however, this role can also be remote with 50% travel.

What you’ll do:

Eaton Corporation is currently seeking a Vice President of Labor Relations to join our team. This position can be based at any Eaton US location or remotely within the US.

The Vice President of Labor Relations is a strategic Human Resources leadership role at Eaton, aimed at developing a top-tier Labor Relations Function & Strategy. Reporting to the Vice President of Employee Relations, Labor Relations and HR Functional Excellence, you will collaborate across the organization using best practices, innovative thought leadership, and strong interpersonal skills.

Leading a team, you will handle union-related issues and negotiations, ensuring successful outcomes. As the primary expert, you will stay updated on trends in collective bargaining, benefits, and work rules. Your role includes providing feedback, training, and support to shape effective policies and practices.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Advise business and HR leadership on labor and union matters, primarily in the U.S. and Mexico.
• Maintain a proactive approach to negotiations, collective bargaining agreement terms, policies, agreements, and procedures.
• Develop and implement union awareness programs and appropriate management responses to union campaigns through planning, positive employee relations programs, site vulnerability assessments, legal and policy reviews, as well as education and communications.
• Ensure compliance with union contracts using industrial labor relations programs and create a system of checks and balances to achieve desired results.
• Guide Eaton leadership on disciplinary and/or employee grievance issues within the union population.
• Engage with employee and union relations at sites for early issue identification, avoidance, de-escalation, or intervention.
• Ensure appropriate employee relations practices are maintained to promote positive employee relations at all sites.
• Identify existing or potential labor relations issues in acquisitions and divestitures and provide related solutions.
• Manage high-profile grievance procedures resulting from disputes with unionized employees over the collective bargaining agreement, work rules, and the interpretation of work contracts.
• Monitor compliance with internal, national, federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain awareness of union-related activities through a core communication plan and use this information to advise, provide strategic counsel, and manage the company’s response to union organizing.
• Negotiate with unions regarding pension plans and other “historical” benefits into more cost-effective solutions.
• 50 percent travel is anticipated for this role

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum twelve (12) years of progressive experience in Human Resources/Labor Relations, leading labor relations strategies for a company or $1B+ revenue business unit.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Labor Relations laws and resolution approaches in a corporate environment
• Senior executive leadership experience in a collaborative global environment
• Extensive end-to-end union negotiations experience, including collective bargaining agreements and employee relations
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• JD focusing on Labor Law
• International labor relations experience highly preferred
• Experience with labor unions and negotiations in Mexico

Skills:

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process.

All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.

At Eaton, we strive to provide compensation and benefits that attract, engage, and retain the best talent. This includes competitive pay and a variety of benefit programs for eligible employees. The expected annual salary range for this role is $203000 - $297000 a year. This role is also eligible for a variable incentive program. Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

The application window for this position is anticipated to close on July8,2026.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the LosAngelesCounty Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work.