The Director, Labor Relations for WHSmith North America is a hands-on leader responsible for employee relations and union matters across a multi-site travel retail operation. This role partners with Operations, People, Legal, and union representatives to support a high performing, people first culture. Responsibilities include labor agreements, collective bargaining, and managing union employee relations, including grievances and arbitration.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Partnership
Serve as the primary advisor on labor strategy, union matters, and risk. Build strong relationships with union representatives and internal stakeholders, aligning labor practices with business goals and a consistent employee experience across locations.
Positive Employee Relations (PER)
Lead PER initiatives, including engagement strategies and issue identification. Coach leaders on communication and early resolution, and leverage data to identify trends and drive targeted improvements.
Labor Peace Agreements (LPAs)
Oversee negotiation, implementation, and compliance of LPAs. Develop playbooks and training, monitor adherence, and partner with legal counsel on risk mitigation and updates.
Union Campaigns
Lead company response to union organizing activity in compliance with labor laws. Coordinate communications, training, and field readiness while tracking activity and escalating risks as needed.
Collective Bargaining
Partner with legal, finance, and HR to develop bargaining strategies and proposals. Support negotiations, ensure contract ratification and implementation, and maintain contract documentation for operational use.
Unionized Employee Relations
Manage grievance, mediation, and arbitration processes. Interpret CBAs, guide leaders, and resolve issues proactively in partnership with site leadership and union representatives.
Training & Communications
Develop and deliver training on PER, union practices, and CBA administration. Create communication tools to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance across teams.
Reporting, Risk & Compliance
Ensure compliance with labor laws and manage investigations and filings with legal counsel. Track and report key labor metrics, provide leadership updates, and drive process improvements through root cause analysis.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner with HR, Operations, Safety, and senior leadership to align labor strategies with hiring, staffing, compliance, and organizational priorities.
...Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Manager Near Hershey, PA Im partnering with a well-established, growing manufacturer to identify an EHS Manager for their facility near Hershey, PA. This is a key leadership role within the plant, offering the opportunity to drive...
...The Office Administrator plays a central role in keeping daily operations running smoothly by providing administrative and logistical support to the 15-member team at AGC Georgias headquarters(1940 The Exchange, Atlanta), assisting staff across the organization...
...Office Coordinator Bloomington, MN (Onsite | 25 hours/week, 8am-1pm/9am-2pm) Pay: $24-25/hr The Office Coordinator ensures smooth day-to-day operations of a busy corporate office. This role combines mailroom support, facilities coordination, meeting and visitor...
Product Development & Design Summer Internship JANUS et Cie | Santa Fe Springs, CA Are you passionate about design, product innovation, and bringing ideas to life? At JANUS et Cie, weve spent more than 40 years shaping the world of design-driven furnishings. Our...
...Job Title: Machine Operator (Packaging / Production) Location: Piscataway, NJ Job Summary We are hiring a Machine Operator... ...responsible for operating and maintaining high-speed production equipment to ensure quality and efficiency. Key Responsibilities...