Director of Labor Relations

Albertsons Companies•Itasca, IL

4d•$135,800 - $190,100•Onsite

About The Position

This role is for a Director of Labor Relations at Albertsons Companies, specifically for the Jewel Osco Division. The position offers an opportunity to lead, innovate, and contribute to a company focused on customer service and lasting relationships. It is a chance to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and evolving environment. The position will be based in one of the Jewel Osco regional offices.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate (JD) and current member of state bar strongly preferred.
Five years plus years of experience at a Labor & Employment law firm and/or equivalent experience leading Union negotiations.
Excellent writing and negotiation skills.
Ability to work in cross functional teams and to work towards a consensus.
Knowledge of business operations with the ability to see the long-term objectives and goals.
Superior writing and contract development skills required.
Legal knowledge as it relates to writing and interpreting contracts.
Ability to diplomatically deal with difficult external groups and unions that have completely different objectives.
Ability to partner with management to determine the business needs and ensure that these areas are captured in the contracts.
Knowledge of pension and benefit programs and how they are administered and what they typically cost.
Knowledge of jointly managed trusts and how to set them up, administer them and ensure they are performing according to the terms of the agreement.
Knowledge of federal and state requirements and agencies including DOL, EEOC, HIPAA, ADA, etc.

Responsibilities

Managing, negotiating, administering, and implementing contracts, agreements, bargaining/negotiations and collective bargaining agreements for the Jewel Osco Division, including the Melrose Distribution Center and occasionally assisting with such work at 1-2 other Divisions in the Eastern United States.
Regularly handling traditional labor questions/issues, union organizing, interpretation of complex contract terms, policies or rules, discipline/employment related issues.
Serving as a trustee on Taft-Hartley pension and healthcare trust funds.
Supervising a team of Labor Relations Managers in their direct interaction with local unions and local business units.
Serving as a liaison between Senior Leadership in the Divisions and Local Unions regarding all aspects of the business, including technological advances, new business initiatives, changes in the law, efforts to make the business stronger and more viable, and changes and/or modifications to terms and conditions of employment for unionized associates.
Working with union representatives to ensure proper administration of contracts.
Working with management to determine the needs of the business (quality, safety, performance, etc.) and working with union representatives to work towards an agreement, including drafting initial proposals and reviewing union requests and feedback.
Negotiating terms that best satisfy the needs of employees and the overall business, and working on putting together the final contract and communicating the terms to all management and employees as applicable.
Acting as the subject matter expert on contracts and managing and handling all escalated employee issues or problems related to the interpretation of the contracts.
Negotiating and resolving difficult problems, including discharge and termination of employees.
Partnering closely with Human Resources Directors/Vice Presidents for Divisions as needed to manage and administer any resolutions.
Providing strategic direction and managing precedent-setting issues or cases that could have a significant impact on the business and operations.
Jointly managing trusts between labor, management, and third-party service providers.
Working with actuaries to determine projected costs and associated expenses to administer and fund different health and disability plan options.
Identifying and selecting a contract with third party negotiators (benefit providers, clinics) that will handle the payment and administration of the benefits.
Reviewing the benefit financial statements on a quarterly basis and auditing/monitoring these accounts to ensure expenses are in line with expectations and that the trusts are properly funded.
Collaborating closely with management and ensuring that contract terms and rules are properly adhered to.
Partnering with unions daily to manage day-to-day issues and ongoing contract negotiations.
Working with federal and state regulators on compliance and employer requirement standards and laws (DOL, FLSA, ERISA, ADA HIPAA and the EEOC, etc.).
Working closely with payroll and other administrative departments to ensure proper interpretation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.
Travel – up to 50%

Benefits

Competitive wages paid weekly
Access to up to 50% of your earned wages before payday, via our partnership with Stream
Associate discounts
Health and financial well-being benefits for eligible associates (Medical, Dental, 401k and more!)
Time off (vacation, holidays, sick pay).
Leaders invested in your training, career growth and development
An inclusive work environment with talented colleagues who reflect the communities we serve
Medical
Dental
401k
Vision
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Sick pay
PTO/Vacation Pay or Flexible Time Off
Paid holidays
Bereavement pay
Retirement benefits (pension and/or 401k eligibility)
Quarterly bonus