Sr. Manager, Blizzard Labor Relations

Team Name: Human Resources

Sr. Manager, Blizzard Labor Relations

R026717

Job Title: Labor Relations Manager | Irvine, CA

Department: Human Resources

Location: Irvine, CA

The Labor Relations Manager will serve as part of the Human Resources team at Blizzard Entertainment, a limited integration gaming studio of Microsoft. Working closely with the Microsoft labor team and reporting to the Director of Labor Relations for Microsoft, you will have the opportunity to further advance the success of a very dynamic and strategic organization.

This role will ensure the continued success of Blizzard gaming while assisting with the application of Microsoft’s labor principles and prioritizing a labor management relationship built on trust, respect, integrity, and accountability. This role is responsible for building and sustaining strong labor relations capability across the organization by serving as a trusted advisor for the business.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The potential home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for labor unions representing studio employees; act as the company's representative to effectively communicate the company's objective.
• Act as a strategic advisor to managers and studio leadership on all union‑related matters, anticipating risks and recommending proactive approaches that align with production and business needs.
• Lead and advise on the full grievance lifecycle, including investigation, response development, grievance meetings, arbitration preparation, and resolution where appropriate.
• Provide strategic support during collective bargaining negotiations, including proposal development, costing analysis, scenario planning, and leadership briefings.
• Support post‑ratification implementation, including communication of contract changes and ensuring consistent application across the studio.
• Interpret and administer CBAs; ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws, regulations, and contractual obligations.
• Collaborate with HR partners and managers on day‑to‑day contract application and maintain a strong communication loop with HR and Legal on any business decisions impacting union‑represented employees.
• Develop labor relations policies and procedures consistent with CBAs and company values in collaboration with stakeholders; ensure policies support operational needs while minimizing labor risk.
• Design and deliver labor relations training for managers and HR; provide ongoing coaching and guidance to leaders navigating complex employee relations issues.
• Resolve labor disputes through collaboration and constructive engagement, both within and outside the formal grievance process.
• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously and lead labor relations initiatives and special projects in a complex, matrixed environment.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Business, Law, or a related field AND 7+ years’ experience in HR, mediation, collective bargaining or ER-related roles OR Juris Doctorate or Master's Degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Human Resources (HR), Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Industrial Relations, Law, or related field AND 6+ years' experience in HR, mediation, collective bargaining or Employee Relations (ER)-related roles OR equivalent, substantial experience
• Significant hands‑on experience in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience representing management interests in grievances, arbitrations, and/or negotiations.
• Strong working knowledge of labor laws and collective bargaining principles.
• Proven ability to advise leaders and influence outcomes in complex situations.

Preferred

• Experience supporting unionized environments within gaming, entertainment, technology, or creative industries.
• Experience as first-chair representative in collective bargaining and/or…