Labor Relations Director
Kansas City, MO, US, 64106
Best People + Right Culture. These are the driving forces behind JE Dunn’s success.
By hiring inspired people, giving them interesting and challenging work, enabling them with innovative tools, and letting them share in the company’s rewards, we’ve found a sustainable way to grow in our industry for the last 100+ years.
Our diverse teams around the country strive to enrich lives through inspired people and places everyday, and we need inspired people like you to join us in our pursuit of building perfection.
Role Summary
The Labor Relations Director will lead the strategic development and execution of labor relations programs across the organization, with a focus on unionized construction environments. This role is responsible for negotiating, interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements, managing grievance and arbitration processes, and fostering strong labor-management relationships. The Director will serve as the company’s subject matter expert on union matters and collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and alignment with project needs, labor laws, and union contracts. All activities will be performed in support of the strategy, vision, and values of JE Dunn.
- Autonomy & Decision-Making: Makes decisions within defined limits of authority and consults supervisor on other decisions.
- Career Path: Various
Key Role Responsibilities - Core
LABOR RELATIONS LEADERSHIP FAMILY – CORE
- Lead and oversee labor relations strategy, policy development, and compliance across all unionized projects
- Negotiate, interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements; manage grievance procedures and arbitration processes
- Participates in dispute resolution and disciplinary hearings in collaboration with Human Resources, union and operations teams
- Partner with HR, Payroll, Operations to provide education and ensure accurate processing and reporting of union-related matters and contract compliance
- Facilitate pre-job meetings with union leaders at national and local levels
- Ensure timely responses to governing committees
- Develop contingency plans for job actions (e.g., walkouts, complaints, arbitrations)
- Resolve jurisdictional disputes and grievances, lead coordination of national trade programs
- Provide labor relations training to project supervision
- Maintain positive relationships with union representatives, employees, and company leadership
- Ensure labor relations activities do not adversely affect other business units
- Partners with HR to support staffing strategies, including sourcing outside regional markets and optimizing apprentice and trainee programs
- Lead and mentor direct reports; promote a culture of safety and accountability
Key Role Responsibilities - Additional Core
N/A
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to perform work accurately and completely, and in a timely manner
- Ability to conduct effective presentations; present complex information in a clear, concise manner to cross-functional stakeholders
- Communication skills, verbal and written – Advanced
- Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Advanced knowledge of labor laws, grievance procedures, and arbitration processes
- Effective investigative and analytical skills
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement in labor relations practices
- Commitment to safety and compliance in all labor-related activities
- Ability to adapt and respond to dynamic situations
- Ability to read a situation and make sound assessments and recommendations
- Ability to rely on a heightened sense of organizational awareness
- Ability to speak confidently in large groups with executive presence
- Ability to build relationships and collaborate within a team, internally and externally
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field (Required)
- Master’s or other advanced degree (Preferred)
- In lieu of the above requirements, relevant experience will be considered
Experience
- 10+ years of experience in labor relations within the construction industry with significant exposure to union environments required.
- Proven experience in grievance handling, arbitration, and collective bargaining negotiations (Preferred)
- 0-2 years of experience in managing teams (Preferred)
Working Environment
- Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds
- May require extensive periods of overnight travel
- Normal office environment
- Frequent activity: Sitting, Viewing Computer Screen
- Occasional activity: Standing, Walking, Reaching above Shoulder
Benefits Information
The benefits package aligned to this position is Professional Non-Union. Please click the link below for more details.
This role is expected to accept applications for at least three business days and may continue to be posted until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.
JE Dunn Construction is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. JE Dunn Construction is a background screening, drug-free workplace.
JE Dunn provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to accommodations@jedunn.com
JE Dunn Construction Company does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of JE Dunn Construction without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of JE Dunn Construction Company. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Why People Work Here
At JE Dunn we offer our employees an inspired place to enrich their life and the lives of those around them
Building on our rich history, our employee owners are shaping the future of JE Dunn. In our team-focused environment we do life together and are generously rewarded for our efforts
EEO NOTICES
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
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JE Dunn participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program.
Nearest Major Market: Kansas City