Director, Employee & Labor Relations
Location: NYC
Salary: $135,000-$150,000
Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours/week
Employment Type: Direct Hire
About the Opportunity
Our client, a well-established nonprofit organization, is seeking an experienced
Director, Employee & Labor Relations to join its Human Resources leadership team. This is a highly visible role for an HR professional who understands that strong employee and labor relations are built through trust, communication, sound judgment, and consistent leadership.
Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director will serve as a key resource for employees, managers, and union representatives while helping shape and execute employee and labor relations strategies across the organization.
This is an opportunity to take ownership of complex HR matters, partner with leadership, and make a meaningful impact on workplace culture and employee experience.
What You'll Do
- Serve as a key liaison between employees, management, and labor unions, helping resolve workplace concerns and maintain productive relationships.
- Partner with the CHRO and HR leadership team on employee and labor relations strategies and broader HR initiatives.
- Advise managers and leaders on employee relations, performance management, disciplinary actions, and workplace concerns.
- Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements and employee handbooks.
- Lead employee investigations and prepare thorough documentation and investigative reports.
- Manage grievance and disciplinary processes in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
- Support grievance and arbitration hearings and work with internal counsel and leadership on complex matters.
- Provide guidance on employment and labor law, HR policies, compliance requirements, and best practices.
- Analyze HR metrics and trends to identify opportunities and develop solutions that support organizational goals.
- Facilitate leadership training, coaching, and professional development initiatives.
- Partner with the CHRO to develop and implement an effective employee onboarding program.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
- 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including experience in a senior-level role.
- Extensive labor relations experience working directly with unions.
- Strong experience interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements.
- Experience handling employee investigations, grievances, disciplinary matters, and workplace conflicts.
- Strong knowledge of employment and labor laws and HR best practices.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex HR matters clearly.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to establish credibility with employees and stakeholders at all levels.
- A hands-on, service-oriented approach with strong judgment, discretion, and integrity.
- Ability to navigate a complex, fast-paced, and evolving organization.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Nonprofit experience is preferred but not required.
Why This Role?
This is more than a traditional employee relations position. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with senior HR leadership while taking ownership of meaningful employee and labor relations initiatives across the organization.
If you're an experienced HR professional who enjoys navigating complex employee matters, building strong labor relationships, coaching leaders, and finding thoughtful solutions to challenging situations, this role offers the opportunity to make a visible impact.