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.
Find Labor Relations Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 2,491+ Labor Relations Director jobs










See all 2,491+ 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 Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Brandeis University is seeking a strategic, highly motivated, and compliance-driven Interim Director, Employee and Labor Relations to assist in planning, organizing, and directing key human resources operations and overseeing the University’s Human Resources Business Partner group. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources and collaborating with other HR and Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) leaders, the Director is responsible for the development and execution of labor and employee relations strategy to support a positive work environment that promotes positive labor relationships, employee engagement, employee satisfaction, effective communication, and a culture of teamwork and trust. The ideal candidate combines deep labor and employee relations expertise with sound judgement, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to build productive relationships across a varied university community and with external partners.
The hiring range for the position is $160k-$180k.
JOB DUTIES
Employee Relations (60%)
- Provide strategic consultation and support to senior leadership and managers throughout the University regarding all human capital-related issues including organizational structure, reorganizations, positive employee engagement, employee communications, performance concerns, and reorganizations/reductions in force.
- Coordinate and direct all aspects of Brandeis’ employee relations practice, including the development of human resources policies and practices designed to foster engagement, drafting and revising employee communications, and counseling managers and supervisors and oversight of performance management.
- Supervise and oversee the University’s Human Resources Business Partners who serve as the entry point for accessing human resources services and partner closely with their operational units to provide a high level of HR consultation and support.
- Oversee and conduct employee investigations that are not related to allegations of discrimination or sexual misconduct, including investigations related to employee conduct, workplace violence and consensual relationships.
- Support organizational change initiatives by ensuring that communication and employee relations strategies are in place to effectively manage transitions. Provide support and guidance to leaders and managers on implementing change.
- Provide technical guidance, leadership and support to human resources colleagues with regard leaves leave of absence, equitable hiring practices, and other compliance-related concerns.
- Support and facilitate all ADA reasonable accommodations for university faculty and staff.
- Partner with HR colleagues’ other constituents to design and deliver training to managers and employees on relevant employee relations compliance topics and recent employment law updates.
- Serve as the Human Resources Business Partner for faculty.
Labor Relations (40%)
- Coordinate and direct all aspects of the University’s labor relations practice, including contract negotiations, contract administration, grievance administration, oversight of union elections, developing labor strategy, union-related metrics and reporting, maintaining and cultivating union relationships and encouraging positive employee relations in non-union sectors of the University.
- Advise senior leadership and managers on labor compliance, reorganizations and other employment actions related to unionized employees, emerging issues and potential legal risks.
- Partner with General Counsel’s office and external counsel to manage labor relations issues and processes.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field. Masters in a related field or Law degree preferred.
Experience: 8-10 years of demonstrated, progressive human resources and labor relations experience, typically with direct exposure to unionized work environments. 5+ years of direct management experience. Experience in higher education is preferred.
Skills: Deep knowledge of labor and employment law, strong negotiation and mediation abilities, high emotional intelligence, and sound analytical and crisis-management skills.
Strong knowledge of related federal and state rules and regulations; excellent project management skills including successful leadership of projects from planning phase through completion; experience collaborating with groups, including faculty, staff, students, consultants, federal, state and local agencies, auditors, and community groups.
Pay Range Disclosure
The University's pay ranges represent a good faith estimate of what Brandeis reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").
See all 2,491+ 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Labor Relations Directors qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, Labor Relations Director positions typically qualify for H-1B visa 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.