Director Labor Relations

BNSF Railway • Fort Worth, TX

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The BNSF Railway Labor Relations Department is critical in fostering positive relationships between BNSF, our union employees, and their collective bargaining representatives. This team promotes business decisions that enable safe, satisfying, and financially rewarding work for all BNSF employees while ensuring efficient customer-driven support. With a focus on collaboration and communication, the Labor Relations Department helps to create a supportive and productive work environment for everyone at BNSF. This is a full-time position located in Fort Worth, TX. For certain positions, including this one, employees can work one day per week remotely. Our leaders also foster a culture where work life balance, which requires flexibility for when life happens, is important and respected. Travel is minimal up to 25%.

Requirements

• Does not require BNSF's assistance (whether monetary, through sponsorship, or otherwise) now or in the future to obtain, maintain, or extend employment authorization (including H-1B, STEM OPT/CPT, or TN nonimmigrant status).
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience including a minimum of 2 years’ formal collective bargaining experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and administering labor agreements and resolving complex labor relations issues.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to develop persuasive business and labor relations communications.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and exercise sound judgment in high-impact situations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships, influence stakeholders, and collaborate across all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated success leading negotiations, influencing outcomes, and building productive labor-management relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Law, Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge of railroad operations, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, and railroad labor agreements.
• Operations experience, preferably within the transportation, logistics, or railroad engineering industries.
• Experience utilizing technology and data to analyze labor relations trends, mitigate risk, and support business decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's labor relations strategy by providing expert guidance on collective bargaining agreement interpretation, contract administration, grievance resolution, and workforce relations matters across a highly unionized environment.
• Represent and advocate for the organization in labor claims conferences, arbitrations, and other dispute resolution proceedings, leveraging strong research, writing, and presentation skills to achieve favorable outcomes.
• Build trusted partnerships with union leadership, business leaders, and key stakeholders to foster productive labor-management relationships, support employee engagement, and drive business objectives.
• Lead and support labor negotiations, including local agreements, contract modifications, and collective bargaining initiatives, while balancing operational needs, workforce considerations, and long-term organizational priorities.
• Partner cross-functionally to identify and resolve complex labor issues, developing proactive strategies that mitigate risk, ensure contractual compliance, and support safe and efficient operations.

Benefits

• An industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program.
• A range of robust health care options for you and your dependents (including domestic partners), including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support, and high-quality care network options.
• Health care spending accounts (HSA) with employer contributions, as well as life and disability insurance, provided at no cost.
• Family benefits including parental, pediatric and family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and dependent care spending account (with employer match).
• Access to discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services and wellness support.
• Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program)
• Generous leave / time off policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Associate degree