Associate Direct Labor Relations - Remote

UnitedHealth Group•Eden Prairie, MN

17h•$112,700 - $193,200•Remote

About The Position

The Associate Director, Union Relations serves as a strategic advisor to senior business leaders, the People Team, Legal, and operational stakeholders on labor relations, workforce strategy, and represented employee matters across assigned business segments. This role leads the development and execution of labor strategies that align workforce priorities with business objectives, mitigate operational risk and support long-term organizational effectiveness. This position is responsible for anticipating emerging labor relations needs, diagnosing complex challenges, and developing innovative, practical solutions that balance contractual obligations, business priorities, employee experience, and legal requirements. The role partners closely with leadership and the People Team to influence decisions related to represented workforce strategies, collective bargaining, labor risk, organizational change, and implementation of workforce initiatives affecting unionized populations. The Associate Director acts as a trusted advisor on highly complex and sensitive labor matters, translating our workforce strategy into labor initiatives that support operational continuity, compliance, leader effectiveness, and sustainable workforce outcomes. This role leads large, cross-functional initiatives and enables leaders to navigate labor and grievance issues with consistency, sound judgement, and strategic focus. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Requirements

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment
Proven solid written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels
Proven solid organizational skills and attention to detail
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
Ability to travel up to 50%

Nice To Haves

8+ years of HR, employee relations, labor relations, union operations, or related experience
Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, labor relations practices, and basic NLRA principles
Proven exposure to collective bargaining, grievance administration, contract interpretation, or represented workforce environments

Responsibilities

Lead labor relations strategy across assigned business units, bargaining units, or represented populations, ensuring alignment with enterprise people strategy and business objectives
Lead collective bargaining activities including negotiations, shaping strategy, proposal preparation, costing support, bargaining logistics, tracking deliverables, and maintaining negotiation records
Guide the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), providing consultation on grievance trends, contract administration, information requests, arbitration preparation, and dispute resolution
Serve as strategic advisor to senior business leaders, HR, operations, and Legal on complex labor relations, employee relations, and workforce matters to ensure consistent application of labor strategy, policies, and contractual obligations
Support proactive union engagement efforts and relationship management with union representatives and business stakeholders
Coordinate responses to union requests and ensure timely follow-up on action items and commitments
Lead resolution in partnership with operational leaders on complex represented workforce matters, including attendance, scheduling, staffing impacts, investigations, disciplinary matters, and policy interpretation as applicable under collective bargaining agreements
Use workforce analytics, labor trends, business performance data and employee relations insights to inform strategy, identify risks, and recommend actions with broad business impact
Partner with senior leaders to integrate labor, employee relations, and workforce considerations into business planning, operational decision making and change initiatives
Represent the enterprise team in labor-management meetings, bargaining sessions, cross-functional leadership discussions and site visits as the subject matter expert
Maintain accurate labor relations records, trackers, databases, and standard operating procedures
Develop scalable tools, frameworks, leader resources, communication materials, and process improvements that strengthen labor relations operations, standardize practices and improve consistent application across markets or business segments
Lead cross-functional workforce transition activities, including effective bargaining coordination, notice obligations, and labor integration efforts
Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), collective bargaining agreements, company policies, and applicable labor and employment laws