Head of Labor Relations

Hybrid is 3x a week on site in Portland, Oregon

Our client is a dynamic organization with over 800 employees in Portland, Oregon, recognized for its collaborative, values-driven, and trailblazing workforce committed to its communities, environment, and social equity. The organization builds shared prosperity through travel, trade, and economic development
, driving initiatives that strengthen the regional economy and support quality jobs, multigenerational wealth, and equitable access to markets
.

Our client is seeking a seasoned labor relations leader who can operate as both a strategic thought partner, advisor and trusted practitioner
. Reporting to the Head of Human Resources, this role provides enterprise-level leadership across collective bargaining, contract administration, dispute resolution, and labor management partnerships.

This leader will bring sound judgment, credibility, and calm leadership to a complex union environment, balancing organizational priorities, legal obligations, and long-term workforce stability. Success requires the ability to influence at the executive level while remaining grounded in day-to-day labor realities.

Enterprise Labor Relations Strategy

• Develop and lead a coordinated, enterprise-wide labor relations strategy that promotes short-and long-term planning and coherence across multiple collective bargaining agreements.
• Plan across bargaining cycles to establish disciplined approaches to preparation, sequencing, and prioritization that support predictable labor outcomes.

Collective Bargaining & Negotiations

• Serve as the lead negotiator and management spokesperson for collective bargaining agreements, including development of bargaining strategy, proposals, and settlement frameworks.
• Prepare and execute Memorandums of Agreement, Understanding, and Exception
  , as well as supplemental agreements.
• Monitor labor relations trends, statutory changes, and legal decisions to inform negotiation strategy.

Business Partnership & Operational Integration

• Act as a trusted advisor and representative of management in highly visible labor matters across aviation, marine operations, public safety, and other business lines.
• Maintain a strong understanding of operations and represented work groups through direct engagement, ensuring labor leadership is grounded in how work is performed.

Contract Administration, Grievances & Dispute Resolution

• Oversee the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, work rules, and related policies.
• Lead and represent the organization in grievance management, mediations, arbitrations, and Employment Relations Board proceedings
  , in coordination with legal counsel.

Financial Awareness & Sustainability

• Lead cross-functional collaboration with HR, Payroll, Benefits, Legal, and Finance to evaluate the financial implications and enterprise-wide impacts of labor agreements across bargaining units.
• Advance labor strategies that balance wage and benefit structures, cost sustainability, and long-term workforce affordability within a public-sector environment.

Knowledge Management & Capability Building

• Strengthen documentation and knowledge management related to labor practices, side agreements, and contract interpretation to reduce risk and preserve institutional knowledge.
• Promote clarity and consistency in the application of labor provisions across departments.
• Design and deliver training for managers on labor relations fundamentals, contract application, and effective labor management practices.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for direct report, ensuring high professional standards and continuity in labor relations practices.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, including leading or owning complex collective bargaining negotiations and advising senior leaders.
• Experience in a public-sector or highly unionized, complex organization with multiple bargaining units and varied contract provisions.
• Strong working knowledge of labor law
  , collective bargaining, grievance and arbitration processes, and applicable federal and state regulations, including Oregon PECBA or comparable frameworks
  .
• Working understanding of the financial implications of labor agreements and experience partnering with Payroll, Benefits, Finance, and Legal
  .
• Proven ability to influence
  , build trust, and remain calm and effective in high-stakes, high-visibility situations.
• Experience improving documentation, consistency, or knowledge management related to labor practices or contract interpretation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field;
  Master’s degree and/or CLRP, PHR, or SPHR preferred
  .

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, basic Life and AD&D, FSA/HRA, STD, LTD, PTO, PERS