Labor & Employee Relations Manager

Valiant seeks a Labor & Relations Employee Manager to play a pivotal role in supporting the Labor Relations Director in negotiating and administrating Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) programs. This position will serve as the primary liaison for Business Operations, Union representatives, and employees, while also assisting Human Resources in Employee Relations investigations and various operational matters. The ideal candidate will navigate complex grievances, facilitate training, and help manage compliance and performance issues, ensuring a collaborative and effective labor relations environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports Labor Relations Director in the negotiation, interpretation and administration of a large portfolio of Collective Bargaining Agreements located at several sites throughout North America.
• Serves as primary point of contact for initial inquiries from Business Operations partners, Union representatives, internal functional partners, and occasionally, bargaining unit employees.
• Assists Human Resources in conduct of Employee Relations investigations related to bargaining unit employees.
• Provides support to Business Operations and Human Resources regarding matters such as Contract and Policy interpretation, management of Employee Assistance Referrals, performance management and development of performance improvement plans, administration of progressive discipline, change management initiatives, conduct of reductions in force, advising and assisting Managers on proactively identifying issues and determining potential courses of action and associated risks.
• In partnership with Business Operations, receives, investigates, analyzes, and guides Company responses to informal issues/grievances and during early steps in a formal grievance process.
• Facilitates the investigation of and responses to complaints from administrative agencies.
• In cooperation with Internal Partners, receives and responds to Union information requests.
• Manages Labor Relations SharePoint site where most Labor Relations work product is archived.
• May support Labor Relations Director in representation of the Company in grievance arbitrations, mediations, and/or administrative processes such as with the National Labor Relations Board or Department of Labor.
• May support the Labor Relations Director in representing the company in response to Union organizing activities, union representation elections and/or the voluntary recognition of labor organizations.
• May create and/or provide Labor Relations training (informal and formal) to internal clients.
• Assists Labor Relations Director with all aspects of preparing for, negotiating, implementing and archiving Union contract and effects bargaining negotiations activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Valiant Integrated Services is an employer who hires in accordance with applicable state and federal law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in compliance with those laws.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial & Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, candidates may qualify with five (5) or more years of experience in Employee and Labor Relations.
• Recognize the importance of and have the ability to develop and cultivate positive working relationships with cross-functional internal partners, Business Operations partners, Union counterparts, and other stakeholders based on trust and respect.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including being accessible and responsive, proficient in written and oral communications, actively listening, preparing and presentation, discussion facilitation, influencing and negotiating.
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate with Management and Union Representatives at all levels.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of Employee and Labor Relations, collective bargaining and employment laws and demonstrated skill in the practical application of such.
• Skilled in effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques, practical application of employment law, and processes for influencing performance management and mutually agreeable outcomes.
• Skill in use of computerized systems for virtual communication, word processing, spreadsheet applications, document archiving and data bases to retrieve and analyze data and/or create reports.
• Candidate is enthusiastic about the Labor Relations work, knows the scope of their current experience, knowledge and authority, is receptive to collaborating with and coaching from others, and is professional and appropriately assertive as an active Manager in this important role.
• Minimal if any domestic travel.