Lead Negotiator - HR Labor

Lead Negotiator - Akron

About the Opportunity

This is a position within FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

The Lead Negotiator serves as FirstEnergy's primary resource in labor relations within a set territory, responsible for shaping and executing enterprise-wide labor strategies that align with the company's core values, business objectives, and evolving workforce needs. This role leads high-impact negotiations with assigned unions, oversees the administration of collective bargaining agreements, and fosters collaborative relationships with union leadership and business stakeholders to drive operational excellence and workforce engagement.

This position plays a critical role in advancing FirstEnergy's labor relations philosophy, ensuring compliance, and promoting a culture of transparency, equity, and continuous improvement. The Lead Negotiator partners closely with executive leadership, HR centers of excellence, and operational leaders to develop forward-thinking labor strategies that support organizational agility, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Negotiations & Labor Planning

• Lead the development and execution of negotiation strategies for collective bargaining agreements, ensuring alignment with business goals, financial targets, and workforce priorities

• Serve as the main spokesperson and strategist in labor negotiations, managing cross-functional negotiation teams and external counsel as needed

• Analyze labor market trends, union dynamics, and regulatory developments to inform proactive labor strategies

• Contract Administration & Compliance

• Oversee the interpretation, application, and implementation of labor agreements, settlements, and arbitration decisions

• Ensure consistent and legally sound contract administration across business units, advising leaders on disciplinary actions, contract language, and dispute resolution

• Ensure compliance with the National Labor Relations Act and other applicable laws

• Grievance & Arbitration Leadership

• Direct the grievance and arbitration process, ensuring timely, thorough, and effective resolution of employee concerns

• Collaborate with union representatives and internal stakeholders to resolve disputes and foster a constructive labor-management environment

• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management

• Establish strong, trust-based relationships with union leadership, operational management, and HR partners

• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on labor relations matters, workforce planning, and organizational change initiatives

• Training & Capability Building

• Design and deliver targeted training programs for supervisors and managers on labor agreements, contract interpretation, and effective labor relations practices

• Promote labor relations knowledge across the organization to enhance leadership effectiveness and compliance

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Corporate HR (Compensation, Benefits, Talent) and Legal to ensure labor strategies are integrated with broader HR and business initiatives

• Support Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts by embedding inclusive practices into labor relations strategies and negotiations

• Communications & Change Management

• Lead labor-related employee communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with organizational messaging

• Support change management efforts related to labor agreements, organizational restructuring, and workforce transitions

Qualifications:

• Bachelor''s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related discipline required; JD or master's degree preferred
• Minimum 7 years professional work experience required labor relations experience including Chief Spokesperson experience preferred
• Experience in all aspects of human resources, employee relations, company/union relations and employment law
• Proven leadership and demonstrated knowledge, skill and experience in contract language/negotiations, arbitration, grievance, employment/labor law
• Experience in the administration of the grievance and arbitration processes
• Experience preparing cases for arbitration is required; experience in presenting arbitration cases preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and in a team environment; proven ability to work and communicate with all levels of the organization from the hourly employees to executive management
• Ability to translate legal/labor law, contract, policies to coach managers in resolving day-to-day issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Above average computer and systems knowledge (HRIS, MS Office and Outlook)
• Demonstrated change leadership
• Ability to identify the "big picture" and set strategy yet extrapolates to the tactical
• Detail-oriented with very strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.