Labor Relations Director Jobs
Labor Relations Director jobs are open across manufacturing, healthcare, education, transportation, and government, at every level from senior manager to chief human resources officer, with specializations in collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and union contract administration. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
Find Labor Relations Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 132+ Labor Relations Director jobs
We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization:
SHSO-Sutter Health System Office-ValleyPosition Overview:
Provides system wide strategic leadership for the development and execution of a comprehensive labor relations strategy that advances organizational objectives, workforce stability, and operational effectiveness. Serves as the organization's senior labor relations authority and thought leader, advising executive leadership on complex labor matters, collective bargaining strategy, workforce trends, and labor risk management.Leads and oversees contract negotiations on behalf of entities while engaging and partnering closely with operating unit and entity leadership to develop negotiation strategies, assess risks, and achieve favorable outcomes. Fosters a collaborative environment that drives the identification and implementation of innovative labor strategies to address critical organizational challenges. Provides strategic guidance, education, communications, and labor preparedness support to entities, promoting proactive labor relations practices, strengthening labor-management partnerships, and mitigating organizational risk.
Job Description:
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:
- 8 recent relevant experience
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
- Progressive labor relations experience, including significant collective bargaining responsibility and labor strategy leadership.
- Leadership experience directing professional staff, programs, or enterprise-level initiatives.
- Experience leading complex union negotiations within large, matrixed organizations.
- Expert knowledge of labor relations principles, collective bargaining, grievance administration, arbitration, labor law, and employment regulations.
- Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations, workforce transitions, and organizational change initiatives.
- Strong executive presence with exceptional communication, influence, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to develop enterprise-wide strategies and translate them into actionable operational plans.
- Proven ability to assess risk, solve complex problems, and lead through ambiguity.
- Strong financial, analytical, strategic planning, and project leadership capabilities.
- Ability to build effective partnerships with executive leaders, labor representatives, attorneys, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
See required physical demands, mental components, visual activities & working conditions at the following link: Job Requirements
Job Shift:
DaysSchedule:
Full TimeDays of the Week:
Monday - FridayWeekend Requirements:
As NeededBenefits:
YesUnions:
NoPosition Status:
ExemptWeekly Hours:
40Employee Status:
RegularSutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $200,096.00 to $320,153.60 / annual salary. Emeryville Pay Range is $227,385.60 to $363,792.00 / annual salary.The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!
Organization:
SHSO-Sutter Health System Office-ValleyPosition Overview:
Provides system wide strategic leadership for the development and execution of a comprehensive labor relations strategy that advances organizational objectives, workforce stability, and operational effectiveness. Serves as the organization's senior labor relations authority and thought leader, advising executive leadership on complex labor matters, collective bargaining strategy, workforce trends, and labor risk management.Leads and oversees contract negotiations on behalf of entities while engaging and partnering closely with operating unit and entity leadership to develop negotiation strategies, assess risks, and achieve favorable outcomes. Fosters a collaborative environment that drives the identification and implementation of innovative labor strategies to address critical organizational challenges. Provides strategic guidance, education, communications, and labor preparedness support to entities, promoting proactive labor relations practices, strengthening labor-management partnerships, and mitigating organizational risk.
Job Description:
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:
- 8 recent relevant experience
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
- Progressive labor relations experience, including significant collective bargaining responsibility and labor strategy leadership.
- Leadership experience directing professional staff, programs, or enterprise-level initiatives.
- Experience leading complex union negotiations within large, matrixed organizations.
- Expert knowledge of labor relations principles, collective bargaining, grievance administration, arbitration, labor law, and employment regulations.
- Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations, workforce transitions, and organizational change initiatives.
- Strong executive presence with exceptional communication, influence, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to develop enterprise-wide strategies and translate them into actionable operational plans.
- Proven ability to assess risk, solve complex problems, and lead through ambiguity.
- Strong financial, analytical, strategic planning, and project leadership capabilities.
- Ability to build effective partnerships with executive leaders, labor representatives, attorneys, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
See required physical demands, mental components, visual activities & working conditions at the following link: Job Requirements
Job Shift:
DaysSchedule:
Full TimeDays of the Week:
Monday - FridayWeekend Requirements:
As NeededBenefits:
YesUnions:
NoPosition Status:
ExemptWeekly Hours:
40Employee Status:
RegularSutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.
Pay Range is $200,096.00 to $320,153.60 / annual salary. Emeryville Pay Range is $227,385.60 to $363,792.00 / annual salary.The compensation range may vary based on the geographic location where the position is filled. Total compensation considers multiple factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Base pay is only one component of Sutter Health’s comprehensive total rewards program. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.
Labor Relations Director Jobs by Experience Level
See All 132+ Labor Relations Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Labor Relations Director JobsLabor Relations Director Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education11
- Healthcare & Medical Services9
- Government & Public Sector5
- Manufacturing3
- Automotive2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in labor relations director jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in labor relations, human resources, or employment law
- Demonstrated experience leading collective bargaining negotiations with recognized unions
- Working knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act and applicable state labor statutes
- Experience managing grievance procedures through arbitration at all steps
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms and labor contract management software
- Professional certification such as SPHR, PLRP, or equivalent credential preferred
Tips for Your Labor Relations Director Job Search
Quantify your bargaining outcomes concretely
Hiring managers want proof, not process. Frame your resume achievements around measurable results: contracts ratified, grievances resolved at step two before arbitration, or labor cost changes tied to agreements you negotiated. Vague language about 'managing relationships' won't move you forward.
Tailor applications to union density
A heavily unionized manufacturer and a partially organized healthcare system need very different skills. Read each posting for whether the role is primarily about active contract negotiations or building a non-union relations strategy, then mirror that language in your cover letter and resume summary.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists labor relations director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Earn a SPHR or PLRP before you apply
Many postings for this level screen for the Senior Professional in Human Resources credential or the Professional in Labor Relations and Employment Practice certification. If you don't hold one yet, note active enrollment in your application materials so screeners don't filter you out prematurely.
Prepare a case study for the panel interview
Expect a multi-person panel including general counsel and operations leadership, not just HR. Prepare a two-minute walkthrough of a real arbitration or impasse situation you navigated, covering the dispute, your strategy, and the resolution. Panels reward candidates who can present structured reasoning under pressure.
Counter slow offers with a competing deadline
Director-level offers in this field often stall for weeks while legal reviews the contract language. If you have a second offer or an internal deadline, communicate it professionally in writing to the hiring manager, not HR alone. Decision-makers have authority to accelerate timelines that HR coordinators do not.
Labor Relations Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most labor relations directors?
The companies hiring the most labor relations directors right now include Advocate Aurora Health, Vestis, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority, with the largest share of openings in New York, Illinois, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Manufacturing, healthcare systems, and large public-sector employers consistently account for the highest volume of postings.
How many labor relations director jobs are remote?
About 49% of labor relations director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, though the majority of roles still require on-site presence for bargaining sessions and grievance hearings. The sub-areas most commonly offered remotely include policy development, compliance oversight, and roles at organizations without active union contracts.
How do you become a labor relations director?
Most labor relations directors build their path by starting in HR generalist or employee relations roles, then moving into specialist positions focused on union environments or labor compliance. Completing a graduate program in labor relations or employment law strengthens your candidacy significantly. From there, leading your first contract negotiation as a manager or senior specialist is the most direct bridge to a director title.
Can you get a labor relations director role with limited direct experience?
It's possible but requires a deliberate pivot strategy. Candidates from employment law, HR business partnering in unionized settings, or labor compliance often succeed by emphasizing transferable skills like grievance resolution and regulatory interpretation. Pursuing the Professional in Labor Relations and Employment Practice credential and seeking out interim or acting director assignments at smaller organizations can close the experience gap quickly.
What does the labor relations director interview process look like?
The process typically runs three to four rounds. An initial screen with HR is followed by a panel interview with the CHRO, general counsel, and sometimes a COO or CFO. Finalists are often asked to present a case study or respond to a negotiation scenario in real time. Reference checks at this level frequently include direct calls to counterparts at previous unions or employers you negotiated against.
Where can I find and apply to labor relations director jobs?
You can find and apply to labor relations director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings for roles that match your industry background and negotiation experience, then apply directly to each position that fits. New openings are added regularly, so checking back frequently gives you an edge on recently posted roles.
See All 132+ Labor Relations Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Labor Relations Director Jobs