DIRECTOR OF LABOR RELATIONS (REMOTE-CALIFORNIA/ARIZONA)

Job Summary:

Compass Group, the world’s leading contract foodservice company, has a Great Opportunity for career development and growth as a Labor Relations Director.
We seek a candidate with robust 1st chair experience in leading high-volume collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations. Candidates will possess deep expertise in handling numerous CBAs simultaneously, from planning and preparing to actively leading complex negotiations. The ideal candidate has a demonstrated record of effectively managing a high volume of CBAs across multiple union partners and geographies, handling grievances, and preparing for negotiations, arbitrations, and disciplinary hearings.
This position is accountable for assisting operational management in achieving labor relations environments that are cost-effective, cost-competitive, consistent with Company policies, procedures, work rules, and free of unnecessary litigation. The role negotiates and administers collective bargaining agreements and provides internal consultation and training to operational management.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Labor Objectives: Identify and implement strategic labor objectives that align with business goals.
• Union Partnership & Education: Partner with HR and Operations to educate employees on all organized labor issues, providing insight into company policies, procedures, and labor-related best practices.
• CBA Negotiation & Management: Act as the chief negotiator for numerous labor agreements, overseeing planning, strategy development, and execution to achieve competitive and cost-effective labor agreements that align with Compass Group’s standards.
• Grievance and Arbitration Oversight: Lead high-volume grievance and arbitration processes to maintain labor relations integrity; act as the company’s representative and advocate in mediation and arbitration proceedings.
• Internal Consultation & Training: Train and advise operational management on compliance with CBAs and help foster a positive labor relations environment, aiming to minimize litigation.
• CBA Administration: Administer multiple labor agreements concurrently, ensuring adherence to negotiated terms and effective issue resolution.
• Employee Relations Support: Provide training and guidance on employee relations and CBA compliance for supervisory and management teams.
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Business, or Human Resources; JD or advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years in Labor Relations within a multi-location, unionized environment, with extensive experience leading CBA negotiations as the 1st chair.
• Proven ability to manage and negotiate a high volume of CBAs simultaneously, with demonstrated success in cost-competitive, strategic outcomes.
• Skilled in objective investigations, grievance handling, and preparing for arbitration proceedings.
• Excellent negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills, especially in a chief spokesperson role.
• Willing and able to travel 60%+ by air and automobile.
• Experience in food, vending, and support services is advantageous, along with current knowledge of National Labor Relations Act rules and precedents.
• Strong preference for bilingual candidates (e.g., Spanish).
• Advanced proficiency in remote communication and negotiation technology.