Program Manager, Labor Relations - Employee & Labor Relations - Full Time

Guthrie Enterprise•Sayre, PA

About The Position

The Program Manager, Labor Relations is a senior Human Resources leadership position responsible for enterprise-level leadership, subject matter expertise, and strategic oversight of labor relations across The Guthrie Clinic. The role leads the development and execution of the organization’s labor relations strategy and provides leadership oversight for labor-management activities throughout the organization. It advises organizational leaders and HR partners on collective bargaining, contract interpretation and administration, grievances, labor-management relationships, dispute resolution, and labor relations policies and practices. The position leads and supports collective bargaining activities, including strategy and preparation, proposal analysis and development, negotiations, and administration of negotiated agreements. It applies knowledge of labor and employment law, collective bargaining requirements, organizational policies, and established labor relations practices to identify risks, advise leadership, and promote consistent and compliant practices. The role also provides expertise to HR functions implementing labor relations strategy and, as assigned based on organizational needs, may consult on highly complex, sensitive, or higher-risk employee relations matters. Travel to Guthrie locations and availability during collective bargaining negotiations, significant labor relations matters, and other time-sensitive labor events are required. Occasional availability outside regularly scheduled business hours may be needed based on organizational needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible labor relations experience.
Proven experience working in a labor relations capacity.
Demonstrated experience with collective bargaining agreements, contract interpretation and administration, grievance management, labor-management relations, and collective bargaining.
Experience advising organizational leaders and HR professionals on complex labor relations matters.
Experience applying labor and employment law principles to workplace matters, including collective bargaining, contract administration, grievances, employee relations, and labor-management practices.
Experience working effectively with management and organized labor representatives.
Demonstrated experience managing complex, sensitive, and confidential workplace matters.
Ability to influence, advise, and collaborate with leaders and other key stakeholders.
Advanced knowledge of labor relations principles, collective bargaining practices, contract administration, grievance resolution, and labor-management relations.
Strong working knowledge of applicable federal and state labor and employment laws and regulations, including principles governing collective bargaining, protected concerted activity, labor-management relations, and employment practices.
Ability to identify and evaluate legal, regulatory, contractual, labor relations, and employee relations risks and provide appropriate recommendations.
Ability to recognize matters requiring consultation or partnership with legal counsel.
Advanced ability to analyze and interpret collective bargaining agreement language and provide clear, practical guidance on contractual requirements and organizational obligations.
Understanding of union and management practices and represented-workforce dynamics.
Strong negotiation, mediation, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to develop and execute labor relations strategies aligned with broader workforce and organizational objectives.
Ability to provide leadership and subject matter expertise to HR functions responsible for implementing labor relations strategies.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to recognize trends, assess risk, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical recommendations.
Excellent judgment and ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential workplace matters.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex labor, employment, and contractual matters.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with management, HR partners, employees, union representatives, legal counsel, and other stakeholders.
Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with hands-on involvement in complex labor relations matters.
Ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced, multi-site organizational environment.
Ability to travel to Guthrie locations and provide availability during significant or time-sensitive labor events; occasional availability outside regularly scheduled business hours may be required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Experience leading or serving in a significant leadership role during collective bargaining negotiations.
Experience providing labor relations leadership across multiple business units, facilities, or locations.
Experience within a complex, multi-site healthcare organization or similarly complex operating environment.
Experience advising senior organizational leaders on significant labor relations matters.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing execution of the organization's labor relations and collective bargaining strategy.
Provide enterprise-wide labor relations leadership, subject matter expertise, consultation, and oversight of labor relations programs and activities.
Advise senior leaders, operational management, and HR partners on labor relations strategy, risks, policies, practices, and emerging issues.
Partner with HR leadership and legal counsel, as appropriate, on complex or higher-risk labor relations and employment matters.
Identify and evaluate labor relations, legal, regulatory, contractual, and organizational risks, and recommend strategies to address or mitigate them.
Promote practices that comply with labor laws, collective bargaining obligations, organizational policies, and employees' protected rights.
Serve as a liaison among management, HR, employees, and authorized union representatives, as appropriate.
Provide on-site support across Guthrie locations for collective bargaining, labor-management matters, grievance proceedings, and other time-sensitive events.
Lead collective bargaining preparation and strategy, proposal development and analysis, negotiations, and administration of negotiated agreements.
Review and interpret collective bargaining agreements, identifying contractual obligations, intent, operational implications, and potential risks.
Advise and assist management with consistent application and administration of labor relations policies, practices, and collective bargaining agreements.
Develop, review, analyze, and evaluate management and union bargaining proposals; recommend bargaining priorities, proposals, and potential resolutions to leadership.
Lead and participate in negotiations, within the scope of organizational authority, concerning wages, hours, benefits, working conditions, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Advise and assist management in investigating, evaluating, responding to, and resolving grievances and labor-management disputes.
Identify grievance trends and recurring labor relations issues and recommend proactive interventions.
Monitor labor and employment law developments and assess their potential impact on organizational labor relations strategies and practices.
Provide education, coaching, tools, and guidance to leaders and HR professionals on collective bargaining agreements, grievances, union interactions, and effective labor-management practices.
As assigned, consult on or directly support highly complex, sensitive, or higher-risk employee relations matters.
Travel to Guthrie locations for negotiations, meetings, grievances, investigations, leadership consultation, training, and other labor relations activities; provide support outside normal business hours when required.