Labor Relations Director Jobs

Job Title: Labor Relations Director
Department: Legal Department
Location: Remote; Washington, DC or Oakland, CA preferred
Reports to: Chief Legal Officer
Supervises: Labor Relations Coordinator and Labor Relations Partner

Context: At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and deeply entrenched systemic racism all fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future. By recognizing that our destinies are tied, we continue to name that all things are fundamentally connected, and the overlap between ecology, race, gender, and representative government will move to either advance our collective humanity or to oppress it. Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters that are led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are also proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope: The Labor Relations Director will own and drive Sierra Club’s labor relations function. The position will play a significant and visible role in moving Sierra Club’s labor relations and operational initiatives forward, with an emphasis on building cooperative, collegial and productive relationships with labor unions. The Labor Relations Director has a key role in ensuring that Sierra Club’s values are echoed in Sierra Club’s broader set of policies regarding labor and employee relations. This position will report to the Chief Legal Officer and work closely with the Office of General Counsel and the People Department.

Job Activities:

• Manage impacts and effects bargaining, labor grievances, arbitrations, EEOC complaints, and other highly sensitive, complex, and/or confidential labor and employment matters.
• Manage and collaborate with stakeholders on the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Advise and train managers on the proper administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Serve as a thought partner to the People Department.
• Develop and implement Sierra Club labor relations initiatives, collaborating with the Chief Legal Officer, labor counsel and other pertinent stakeholders as warranted.
• Complete other duties as assigned.
• Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to an individual’s protected status.
• Collaborate with the pertinent stakeholders, including legal counsel and People Partners on labor relations compliance, risk management, litigation, and enforcement issues.
• Serve as a liaison between labor unions and management and facilitate joint meetings as needed.
• Complete other duties as assigned.
• Interpret and ensure administration of collective bargaining agreements, including any side letters and memoranda of understanding.
• Brief management regarding trends and other significant developments arising under collective bargaining agreements.
• Develop and implement initiatives for sustaining a positive working environment, effective communication and cooperative relationships with labor unions consistent with Sierra Club’s values.
• Monitor and evaluate Sierra Club employment practices and policies to ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements and labor and employment laws and regulations.
• Investigate employment practices or alleged violations of collective bargaining agreements and labor and employment laws to ensure legally sufficient organizational policies and practices
• Provide guidance and support to management during labor negotiations, including drafting proposed CBA articles and participating in meetings with union representatives.
• Drive a culture of compliance by drafting policies and guidance, developing learning modules and conducting trainings on labor relations and employment matters and Sierra Club collective bargaining agreements.
• Employ deescalation techniques and conflict resolution strategies to resolve labor disputes and complaints in a fair and equitable manner that respects employee rights, protects Sierra Club’s interests and aligns with applicable law.
• Labor Relations
  • Develop and implement Sierra Club labor relations initiatives, collaborating with the Chief Legal Officer, labor counsel and other pertinent stakeholders as warranted.
  • Manage and collaborate with stakeholders on the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.
  • Interpret and ensure administration of collective bargaining agreements, including any side letters and memoranda of understanding.
  • Provide guidance and support to management during labor negotiations, including drafting proposed CBA articles and participating in meetings with union representatives.
  • Manage impacts and effects bargaining, labor grievances, arbitrations, EEOC complaints, and other highly sensitive, complex, and/or confidential labor and employment matters.
  • Brief management regarding trends and other significant developments arising under collective bargaining agreements.
  • Advise and train managers on the proper administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
  • Serve as a thought partner to the People Department.
  • Develop and implement initiatives for sustaining a positive working environment, effective communication and cooperative relationships with labor unions consistent with Sierra Club’s values.
  • Serve as a liaison between labor unions and management and facilitate joint meetings as needed.
  • Employ deescalation techniques and conflict resolution strategies to resolve labor disputes and complaints in a fair and equitable manner that respects employee rights, protects Sierra Club’s interests and aligns with applicable law.
  • Complete other duties as assigned.
• EEO and Compliance
  • Drive a culture of compliance by drafting policies and guidance, developing learning modules and conducting trainings on labor relations and employment matters and Sierra Club collective bargaining agreements.
  • Monitor and evaluate Sierra Club employment practices and policies to ensure compliance with applicable collective bargaining agreements and labor and employment laws and regulations.
  • Collaborate with the pertinent stakeholders, including legal counsel and People Partners on labor relations compliance, risk management, litigation, and enforcement issues.
  • Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to an individual’s protected status.
  • Investigate employment practices or alleged violations of collective bargaining agreements and labor and employment laws to ensure legally sufficient organizational policies and practices
  • Complete other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, Public Administration, a related field of study or the equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Demonstrated record of operationalizing equity and embedding justice and equity in interpersonal interactions and the implementation of organizational policies, decisions, and programs.
• Eight (8) or more years of experience in labor relations that includes managing a department, business function or operational unit.
• Proven experience negotiating, interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements and navigating concerted activity in the workplace.
• Experience managing administrative matters before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or functional equivalent state or federal agencies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

• Working knowledge of state and federal labor and employment laws, with emphasis on California and District of Columbia.
• Exceptional people skills and proven record of maintaining effective relationships across all levels of an organization.
• Exceptional ability to analyze and synthesize large volumes of information and prepare comprehensive reports and detailed statistical analysis.

The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $160,000

This is a category 2 exempt position, Non-Represented managerial and confidential position.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce belonging.

To Apply

Please submit your resume here.

The Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff members. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience and skills. The Sierra Club does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, prior conviction, arrest history, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Sierra Club values applicants who are people that identify as Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

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