Director of Human Resources Business Partner – Labor Relations

Salute

. Serve as the enterprise subject-matter expert on collective bargaining, contract interpretation, and union relationship strategy .

Posted 9/29/2026full-timeRemote • Illinois • United StatesLead💰 $140,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in collective bargaining, contract administration, and labor relations strategy, with a strong focus on compliance with labor laws and regulations. Capable of leading negotiations, developing training programs, and advising on complex labor matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Collective Bargaining ExpertiseNLRA KnowledgeLead Negotiator ExperienceLabor Relations Training DevelopmentContract Administration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Contract InterpretationGrievance HandlingArbitration ProcedureLabor Relations MetricsData AnalysisNegotiation StrategyCBA AdministrationContingency PlanningCompliance MonitoringMulti-Jurisdiction Labor Law

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsCommunication SkillsCoaching SkillsStrategic ThinkingProblem-Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

SHRM-SCPSPHRGPHR

Industry Keywords

Labor RelationsUnion OrganizingWorkforce PlanningNLRB ChargesLabor Board ProceedingsEmployee PopulationsWorks CouncilsGlobal Labor RelationsUnionized OperationsLabor Regulations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the enterprise subject-matter expert on collective bargaining, contract interpretation, and union relationship strategy
Advise HRBPs, site leaders, and executives on complex grievance, arbitration, and contract administration matters
Design and lead collective bargaining negotiation strategy as lead negotiator or chief strategist
Escalate and manage the organization's highest-risk labor matters, including arbitration, NLRB charges, and labor board proceedings
Maintain current knowledge of the NLRA and labor/employment law across domestic and international jurisdictions
Author and maintain enterprise labor relations playbooks, position statements, and precedent guidance
Advise leadership on union organizing activity and labor relations strategy
Lead strike and contingency planning methodology and advise during active labor disputes
Own labor relations metrics and reporting and translate findings into enterprise strategy
Coach and upskill HRBPs, generalists, and operations leaders
Design and deliver labor relations training and certification programs
Partner with HRBPs as a technical advisor on complex or precedent-setting matters
Build toolkits, templates, and decision frameworks for routine labor matters
Set enterprise standards for CBA administration, grievance handling, and negotiation practice
Align labor relations strategy with workforce planning, M&A, and organizational transformation
Analyze workforce and labor relations data to identify enterprise-wide risk and opportunity
Govern consistency of contract interpretation and precedent across sites and regions
Ensure compliance with CBAs, labor regulations, employment law, and company policy
Monitor labor and employment law changes across global jurisdictions
Partner with Legal and Compliance on arbitration, NLRB matters, and labor-related proceedings
Serve as labor relations partner to HR Operations and regional HR teams
Provide SME support on local labor and works council requirements
Promote consistent labor relations practice and knowledge-sharing across regions and business units

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial/Labor Relations, or related field
10+ years of progressive labor relations experience
Recognized subject-matter expertise in collective bargaining and contract administration
Experience as lead negotiator across multiple CBA negotiations, including complex or contested bargaining
Expert-level knowledge of the NLRA, labor board practice, arbitration procedure, and multi-jurisdiction labor/employment law
Experience serving as an escalation resource or technical advisor to other HR professionals on labor matters
Experience developing labor relations training, playbooks, or capability-building programs
Experience supporting multi-site, multi-state, or global unionized operations
Exceptional negotiation, analytical, and communication skills
Preferred: Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or related field; JD a plus
Preferred: SHRM-SCP, SPHR, GPHR, or equivalent certification
Preferred: Formal labor relations or arbitration training
Preferred: Experience in a dedicated labor relations SME, center-of-excellence, or corporate labor relations role
Preferred: Direct experience with NLRB litigation, arbitration hearings, and strike or contingency planning at scale
Preferred: Experience supporting unionized manufacturing, distribution, logistics, healthcare, retail, or industrial environments
Preferred: Experience supporting international employee populations, works councils, and global labor relations programs

Benefits

Comp & perks

8 company-paid holidays
2 floating holidays
PTO
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Employer-supported 401(k) with immediate 100% vesting
3% employer match and 50% match on the next 2%
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Mental health resources
Gym discounts
Discounted legal services
Discounted home and auto insurance
Pet insurance
ID theft protection
Discounted Group Life & AD&D
Discounted Group Short & Long-term Disability
Parental leave