Manager Labor Relations

Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA 98109, USA

Climate Pledge Arena is the complete redevelopment of an historic landmark, originally built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Sitting at the base of the Space Needle on the Seattle Center campus, the arena is home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, WNBA's Seattle Storm, and the world’s biggest performers of live music and events. Since opening in October 2021, we have hosted over 400 public events and welcomed over 4 million guests.

The arena has been awarded Sports Business Journal’s Sports Facility of the Year and Pollstar’s best new concert venue and is consistently ranked within Pollstar’s top 10 for top grossing arenas worldwide.

Seattle Arena Company, a division of Oak View Group (OVG), privately developed and now operates Climate Pledge Arena. OVG based in Denver, Colorado is a global leader in facility development, management, hospitality, and sales. Climate Pledge Arena is named after The Climate Pledge, an initiative founded by Amazon and Global Optimism asking global corporations to become net zero carbon by 2040.

We have one of the most progressive sustainability programs of any arena of our size, including being the first and only arena in the world to achieve the International Future Living Institute’s first Zero Carbon Certification.

The Employee and Labor Relations Manager will develop and support the human resource plans, policies, and programs to support the Arena’s strategic direction and business plans in the areas of employee and labor relations. This position reports directly to the VP, People & Culture and oversees all aspects of employee and labor relations including: union relationships, collective bargaining agreement (CBA) administration and compliance, performance management (including investigations and disciplinary action), training and development, maintenance of employee information records, and the provision of advice and guidance to management and staff on the above matters.

• Direct, administer, and lead the development of policies, programs and initiatives in all areas of human resources, including employee retention, training and development and performance management for part‑time staff (union‑represented and non‑).
• Develop and maintain harmonious union representatives/management relations.
• Counsel management regarding the negotiation/renewal, administration and interpretation of all CBAs, in collaboration with Arena Legal Department.
• Develop bargaining strategies and prepare proposals, make recommendations regarding annual budget for salary increases and other agreed‑upon costs.
• Lead and represent the company on labor/management committees, grievance resolution, arbitration and other related matters.
• Oversee and conduct workplace investigations, determine facts and recommend appropriate progressive discipline, corrective action, and performance management action.
• Provide coaching to managers and supervisors around effective disciplinary procedures, performance concerns and best practices.
• Advise on other areas of human resources management, including but not limited to wage and hour laws, disability law, company policy and procedures, organizational development, labor and employment law, and anti‑harassment laws.
• Develop, facilitate and conduct relevant training programs for part‑time event staff.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local labor laws.
• Participates in other duties and special projects as required.

• A proven and progressive Human Resources professional with a minimum of 5+ years related experience.
• Experience with a unionized environment, dealing directly with labor relations issues and unions.
• A team player with the ability to collaborate with all levels of employees.
• Solid interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to interact effectively with diverse client groups.
• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and execution.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, objectivity, confidentiality, good judgment and professionalism when handling all HR related issues.
• A self‑starter who is proactive in putting thought, creativity, and ingenuity into work assignments.
• Approaches problem solving in a practical, client‑centered manner with the ability to deal with conflict effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects.

• Minimal Travel (