Director of Labor Relations & Associate Counsel
About The Position
The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is seeking an experienced labor relations attorney to serve as Director of Labor Relations & Associate Counsel in its Labor/Legal Department. This senior role combines labor law practice, collective bargaining leadership, and national industry policy work. The Director will play a key role in multi-employer collective bargaining negotiations, provide labor relations guidance to unionized contractors, and serve as a management trustee on Taft-Hartley employee benefit funds. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of labor law, construction industry relations, and national workforce policy. The position reports directly to the NFSA President and works closely with the Director of Legal Services & General Counsel and Labor/Legal Department staff.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
- Active bar membership in at least one U.S. state
- 7+ years of experience practicing labor law or labor relations
- First chair experience with collective bargaining negotiations
- Experience with unionized workforce environments
- Experience with contract administration and grievances
- Experience with labor arbitration
- Experience with NLRB issues
- Excellent legal writing and communication skills
- Strong analytical and quantitative abilities
- Demonstrated leadership in multi-stakeholder environments
- High level of professional judgment, integrity, and discretion
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365
Nice To Haves
- Experience in construction industry labor relations
- Experience with multi-employer bargaining
- Experience serving as counsel or trustee for Taft-Hartley benefit plans
- Background working with trade associations or employer organizations
Responsibilities
- Establish relationships with our union contractors and fire sprinkler fitter unions. Coordinate meetings, bringing union contractor members together in preparation, execution, and review of contract negotiations.
- Serve as lead spokesperson or negotiating team member in multi-employer collective bargaining negotiations with union representatives nationwide.
- Develop collective bargaining strategies, negotiation plans, and economic analyses.
- Draft and revise collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provisions and amendments.
- Conduct industry and labor market research to support bargaining positions.
- Provide guidance to contractors regarding contract administration, grievance procedures, labor arbitration, NLRB matters, and union-management relations.
- Support NFSA members in navigating complex labor relations issues in the construction industry.
- Serve as a management trustee on multiple Taft-Hartley benefit funds, including pension funds, health & welfare funds, apprenticeship and training funds, and labor-management cooperation programs.
- Research and draft association policies, governance documents, and labor relations guidance.
- Participate in public policy review and legislative analysis affecting the construction and fire protection industries.
- Prepare legal memos, statistical reports, and industry analyses.
- Support and participate in NFSA committees related to collective bargaining, apprenticeship and workforce development, labor-management cooperation, and industry promotion.
- Develop strong working relationships with NFSA member contractors, union leadership, Association committees, and the NFSA Board of Directors.
- Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and supporting documentation.
- Draft member communications and industry guidance.
- Maintain departmental records and documentation.
- Assist NFSA leadership on strategic labor and legal initiatives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
