Manager Labor Relations

Puget Sound Energy is seeking a strategic and experienced Labor Relations Manager to lead the design, planning, and execution of our labor relations programs, policies, and practices. This role is critical to establishing and maintaining strong, productive labor-management relationships across a complex, unionized workforce. Approximately one-third of our employees are represented by unions under three collective bargaining agreements.

In this role, you will serve as a key advisor to leadership and management at all levels, providing expert interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, overseeing grievance administration including arbitration, and ensuring consistent and effective application of contract terms. You will lead labor negotiations and strategies. In addition, you will coordinate ongoing labor-management committee activities and partner closely with internal and external legal counsel as needed.

You will directly manage a labor relations advisor as well and have responsibility over the bidding functions performed by an HR specialist. You will assist in coaching and developing other HR professionals, and establish a proactive, aligned, and outcomes-driven approach to labor relations. A key priority will be consistency, communication, and transparency in how agreements are administered and how decisions are made.

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience managing labor relations in complex, unionized environments, including negotiating contracts, interpreting agreements, handling grievances, and representing the company in formal proceedings. You have a proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and navigate multiple contracts across diverse lines of business. You are skilled at building strong relationships with union representatives and internal partners while maintaining a firm, fair, and consistent approach.

At Puget Sound Energy safety is a core value. This role upholds all safety compliance standards associated with operating and field procedures and actively promotes a culture of total safety.

You will also demonstrate a deep commitment to conducting business with integrity, ethics, and in alignment with our core values and Code of Conduct, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

• Employee Safety, Development & Team Building - Provides employees with coaching, feedback, and developmental opportunities and builds effective teams:
  
  
  
  • Demonstrates a passion for safety. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety including eliminating at-risk behaviors.
  • Sets clear expectations and holds employees accountable for performance as well as safety goals/targets where applicable.
  • Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions.
  • Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.
  • Accountable to ensure employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements, as well as safety standards.
  • Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews and development plans.
  • Provides coaching, direction, and leadership support to team members in order to achieve employee, business, customer, and safety results.
  
  
  
  
• Facilitates and guides management decision making on labor relations issues with the LR and HR Staff. Provides professional understanding and consistent interpretation of labor laws, collective bargaining agreements, disciplinary policy matters and past practice. Provides perspective on issues of a similar nature at other utilities or businesses in the region.
• Leads contract negotiations team. Represents the company at the bargaining table, selects team members for negotiations, coordinates the preparation of proposals from the company, analyzes and advises the company on proposals from the union, coordinates the final documents and implementation of contracts after ratification.
• Provides coaching, advice and support to HR Staff as they proceed through the grievance process up to the arbitration step. Works with management and HR Staff to achieve resolution of grievances at the lowest possible level. Represents the company in arbitration if resolution is not practicable and works with appropriate legal support to prepare for and present the company's case.
• Coordinates and participates in ongoing labor/management committees with the assistance of HR Staff. Selects committee members, participates with HR Staff in preparing agenda and works with management team on topics of mutual concern between the union(s) and the company.
• Leads the development of corporate labor and contract negotiation strategy that closely aligns to business strategy. Provides historical perspective, regional perspective, and national trends in the development of such strategies. Works with officers and directors regarding their long range plans to fully understand business strategy and facilitate preparation for successful implementation of changes in the company.
• Builds and maintains flexible relationships and open communication with local union officials and internal management.
• Monitors labor trends internally and externally and provides strategy guidance to top management. Participates in labor relations professional associations.
• Represents the company in legal proceedings such as arbitration, Unfair Labor Practice, Unit Clarification, or other hearings before the National Labor Relations Board or in a court of law. Conducts independent investigations as needed to support the resolution of complex represented employee performance issues.
• Provides training in labor relations to internal staff and management as necessary.
• Operates as a key member of the HR leadership team, weighing in on cross-company HR-related issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in related field and seven (7) years progressive experience and responsibility in labor relations, contract negotiations and administration roles, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Strong business acumen and demonstrated ability as a partner to business leaders, proactively addressing labor-related issues.
• In-depth knowledge of labor relations laws, administration of CBA's, labor record keeping practices and systems.
• Ability to quickly build trust and value-based relationships with leaders, colleagues, union representatives and employees.
• Understanding of change management concepts and techniques.
• Strong general knowledge of the full range of employment laws and in-depth knowledge of labor laws and contract negotiation methods.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work both independently and as a part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes without direct authority.
• Demonstrated ability to drive practices that incorporate best practices, benchmarks, and efficiency.

• Ten (10) years progressive experience and responsibility in lead labor relations, contract negotiations and administration roles.
• Prior experience in people management.
• Broad HR knowledge and experience, including compensation, benefits, staffing, and employee relations.
• Experience in facilitating high involvement work practices.