Director Labor Relations

The Woodmansee Group is a retained executive search firm representing a large utility company, seeking a Director of Labor Relations to be located in their Columbus, OH office (hybrid).

The Employee & Labor Relations Director is responsible for development and administration of company‑wide employee and labor relations strategies, programs and initiatives that support the company’s business strategies and contribute to a culture of accountability and performance. The role includes research, planning, advising, and managing the preparation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and the negotiation processes, providing expertise and guidance to operations leaders, executive leadership, and Human Resources consultants across the organization to ensure consistent execution of business initiatives.

• Assumes a key leadership role in driving, shaping, and developing company‑wide labor and labor relations philosophy, visions, and goals aligned with corporate values and objectives.
• Partners with leaders across the organization to develop and implement labor relations strategies consistent with corporate initiatives and CBAs.
• Researches and provides interpretation of complex CBA provisions, arbitration awards, and agreements to enforce collective bargaining agreements.
• Builds and maintains an integrated labor strategy document that includes all opportunities, desired outcomes, and timing.

• Establishes and leverages an active Labor Steering Committee to ensure priorities and trade‑offs are addressed.
• Works across the organization to continuously scan workforce opportunities, leveraging the Labor Steering Committee to guide priorities.
• Designs and/or prepares reports and presentations to management, including members of the executive leadership team.

• Develops and maintains a constructive relationship with union leaders in order to build a foundation of trust for negotiating and resolving matters on behalf of the Company.
• Leads the company labor negotiations process to achieve desired outcomes, and effectuates bargaining strategies that enable business objectives, using a collaborative approach with company leadership.
• Provides labor consultation to various supporting departments on matters impacting CBAs and the represented workforce.
• Negotiate grievance settlements to mitigate negative precedent‑setting arbitration awards and external legal costs.
• Assists in preparation of arbitration hearings and serves as company witness when requested.
• Mediates disputes between management, union leaders, and employees on escalated issues.
• Manages and advises grievance/arbitration resolution with respect to all collective agreements.
• Works with the legal department to maintain compliance with CBAs and all applicable employment/labor laws, union organizing activity, election campaigns, and charges before the National Labor Relations Board.

• Develops a positive employee relations strategy designed to assess employee risk, build leader capabilities, and ensure a positive employee experience.
• Partners with leaders to conduct risk assessments and execute mitigation strategies.
• Builds and maintains an employee and labor relations scorecard to reveal trends, progress, and issues.
• Leverages scorecards and other data sources to inform positive relations strategy.
• Partners with talent management to design and deliver management training interventions.
• Formulates and delivers key labor strategies and tactics, including union avoidance, union campaign strategy, and management.
• Advocates for employees’ rights when appropriate to maintain positive employee engagement and a healthy work environment.

• Creates an environment where leaders are accountable for developing proactive relationships with union leaders.
• Facilitates relationships with union leaders and management that support the business goals of the Company.
• Advises and coaches leaders and HR team on new labor and employee relations trends that could positively or negatively impact the Company.
• Partners with leaders to ensure they own union…