Labor Relations Director Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Labor Relations Directors manage workplace relationships, collective bargaining, and compliance with federal labor laws. Most positions require specialized knowledge in labor relations, industrial relations, or human resources, making them strong candidates for H-1B visa, E-3 visa, and other professional visa sponsorship. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
See All Labor Relations Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 39+ Labor Relations Director jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 39+ Labor Relations Director jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Labor Relations Director roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join a great team where people are at the heart of everything we do! Sodexo is seeking a Labor Relations Director to manage labor relations activity across an assigned territory including leading labor negotiations, interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements and grievance procedures, and building constructive union relationships. This position requires significant travel (up to 50%).
Preference for candidates who reside in the Northeast region (preferably Metro NYC, New Jersey, Philadelphia PA).
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will:
- Prepare collective bargaining agreement negotiation strategies, act as Company’s chief spokesperson in negotiations with multiple international unions and perform post-negotiations tasks resulting in a signed labor agreement.
- Assist and support labor contract administration to include grievance resolution and arbitration advocacy, among other related tasks.
- Administer the Company's labor relations policy subject to management guidance and approval.
- Review and evaluate collective bargaining agreements, provide accurate costing analysis, identify risks, and develop solutions to mitigate risk and support operations and sales objectives.
- Develop and maintain constructive union relationships.
- Partner with sales, retention, operations, HR, legal, and others to develop and execute labor relations strategies that promote profitable growth of Sodexo, engagement of employees, and compliance with Sodexo policies and applicable laws.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant political, economic, legal, and market developments and trends.
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHAT YOU BRING
Is this opportunity right for you? We are looking for candidates who have:
- A Bachelor’s degree is preferred
- A Master’s degree in a related field or J.D. is a plus
- At least 3 - 10 years of labor negotiations experience as the chief spokesperson.
- Strong experience with all aspects of labor relations, including knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act, Taft-Hartley Act, Canadian Labor laws, global labor standards, and other labor regulations, acts, or laws and Sodexo policies; union organizing campaigns and recognition processes; the collective bargaining process, multi-employer bargaining, and contract negotiation; labor contract interpretation and administration, handling of grievances, mediation, and arbitration; business acquisition and divestiture; NLRB proceedings; and constructive engagement with labor organizations
- Demonstrated experience with human resources matters, including EEO, an inclusion culture, employee relations and engagement, safety & health, compensation & benefits, training & talent development, and talent management
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work with all levels of management, front-line employees, and labor unions
- Ability to leverage a collaborative and supportive approach to lead and motivate teams and end-to-end management of negotiations
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly desired
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 7 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 7 years labor relations experience in lead negotiating role.
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
INTRODUCTION
Join a great team where people are at the heart of everything we do! Sodexo is seeking a Labor Relations Director to manage labor relations activity across an assigned territory including leading labor negotiations, interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements and grievance procedures, and building constructive union relationships. This position requires significant travel (up to 50%).
Preference for candidates who reside in the Northeast region (preferably Metro NYC, New Jersey, Philadelphia PA).
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The successful candidate will:
- Prepare collective bargaining agreement negotiation strategies, act as Company’s chief spokesperson in negotiations with multiple international unions and perform post-negotiations tasks resulting in a signed labor agreement.
- Assist and support labor contract administration to include grievance resolution and arbitration advocacy, among other related tasks.
- Administer the Company's labor relations policy subject to management guidance and approval.
- Review and evaluate collective bargaining agreements, provide accurate costing analysis, identify risks, and develop solutions to mitigate risk and support operations and sales objectives.
- Develop and maintain constructive union relationships.
- Partner with sales, retention, operations, HR, legal, and others to develop and execute labor relations strategies that promote profitable growth of Sodexo, engagement of employees, and compliance with Sodexo policies and applicable laws.
- Maintain current knowledge of relevant political, economic, legal, and market developments and trends.
WHAT WE OFFER
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHAT YOU BRING
Is this opportunity right for you? We are looking for candidates who have:
- A Bachelor’s degree is preferred
- A Master’s degree in a related field or J.D. is a plus
- At least 3 - 10 years of labor negotiations experience as the chief spokesperson.
- Strong experience with all aspects of labor relations, including knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act, Taft-Hartley Act, Canadian Labor laws, global labor standards, and other labor regulations, acts, or laws and Sodexo policies; union organizing campaigns and recognition processes; the collective bargaining process, multi-employer bargaining, and contract negotiation; labor contract interpretation and administration, handling of grievances, mediation, and arbitration; business acquisition and divestiture; NLRB proceedings; and constructive engagement with labor organizations
- Demonstrated experience with human resources matters, including EEO, an inclusion culture, employee relations and engagement, safety & health, compensation & benefits, training & talent development, and talent management
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work with all levels of management, front-line employees, and labor unions
- Ability to leverage a collaborative and supportive approach to lead and motivate teams and end-to-end management of negotiations
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) highly desired
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 7 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 7 years labor relations experience in lead negotiating role.
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
See all 39+ Labor Relations Director jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Labor Relations Director roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Labor Relations Director Jobs
Emphasize specialized labor law knowledge
Highlight expertise in NLRA, collective bargaining, grievance procedures, and union relations. This specialized knowledge clearly demonstrates the specialty occupation requirements for professional visa categories.
Target large employers with unions
Manufacturing companies, healthcare systems, and government contractors frequently need labor relations expertise. These employers often have established visa sponsorship programs and understand the strategic value.
Show quantifiable impact on labor costs
Document successful contract negotiations, grievance resolutions, or strike prevention. Employers value measurable results that demonstrate your ability to minimize costly labor disputes and maintain productivity.
Highlight cross-functional collaboration skills
Labor relations directors work closely with legal, HR, and operations teams. Demonstrating your ability to bridge departments shows employers you can integrate effectively into their organizational structure.
Demonstrate regulatory compliance expertise
Show experience with OSHA, EEOC, and DOL regulations beyond basic labor relations. This broader compliance knowledge makes you more valuable and strengthens the specialty occupation argument.
Consider contract or consulting opportunities first
Many companies hire labor relations expertise on a project basis during contract negotiations. Short-term engagements can lead to permanent sponsorship opportunities while building your U.S. professional network.
Labor Relations Director jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Labor Relations Director JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Labor Relations Directors qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, Labor Relations Director positions typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship as they require specialized knowledge of labor law, collective bargaining, and workplace regulations. Most employers require a bachelor's degree in labor relations, industrial relations, human resources, or law, meeting the specialty occupation standard.
What degree is typically required for visa sponsorship in labor relations?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in labor relations, industrial relations, human resources, business administration, or law. Some positions prefer master's degrees in labor studies or industrial relations. Legal education or HR certification can strengthen applications, especially for senior director roles.
Which industries sponsor visas for Labor Relations Directors most often?
Manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and utilities frequently sponsor Labor Relations Directors due to high unionization rates. Government contractors, large retail chains, and educational institutions also commonly need this expertise. Industries with complex labor environments typically have established sponsorship programs.
How do labor relations skills transfer to other visa-eligible roles?
Labor relations expertise transfers well to HR Business Partner, Compliance Manager, or Employment Law roles. The negotiation and conflict resolution skills also apply to Contract Manager or Risk Management positions. This versatility provides multiple visa sponsorship pathways if direct labor relations roles are limited.
What makes labor relations a strong case for specialty occupation status?
Labor relations requires deep knowledge of federal labor law, collective bargaining processes, and union dynamics that can't be learned through general business experience. The role involves interpreting complex regulations, managing legal compliance, and handling high-stakes negotiations that require specialized education and training.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Labor Relations Director jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
How to find Labor Relations Director jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Labor Relations Director positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on large corporations, multinational companies, and healthcare systems that commonly sponsor H-1B and EB-2 visas for senior HR roles. Manufacturing, technology, and consulting firms frequently hire Labor Relations Directors and have established visa sponsorship processes.
See which Labor Relations Director employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Labor Relations Director Jobs