Sr. Director, Labor Relations

SUMMARY: The Senior Director, Labor Relations, Northern California is responsible for the overall performance, growth, and engagement of the Northern California UCC book of business. In partnership with the VP, Labor Relations, Northern California, the Senior Director provides strategic labor relations advocacy, grievance management, collective bargaining support, and leadership of regional labor relations activities. The Senior Director is accountable for achieving regional financial, retention, POA growth, and member engagement goals, including proactive member outreach, quarterly in-person visits, and regular member touchpoints. The role builds strong relationships with members, union leadership, and industry stakeholders while identifying opportunities to strengthen engagement, grow the business, and enhance member value. The Senior Director also leads regional staff and supports the UCC, TCC, craft committees, and other labor-management initiatives.

As part of the Associations senior staff and direct ambassador of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Director will promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning including the development of staff using a supportive and collaborative approach. The Director is also responsible for establishing and monitoring staff development goals through assigning accountability by setting objectives, establishing priorities and following up accordingly.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Include the following: other duties may be assigned.

Regional Business & Membership Leadership

• Owns the Northern California book of business and is accountable for its overall financial performance, retention, growth, member engagement, service delivery and long-term member value.
• Develops and executes the annual regional business and engagement strategy, including measurable goals for Contract Administration revenue, budget performance, POA growth, retention, prospecting and member engagement.
• Monitors and forecasts regional financial and membership performance, proactively identifying risks, opportunities and strategies to address performance gaps and achieve established goals.
• Establishes, tracks and reports key regional performance indicators, including financial performance, retention, growth, member engagement and service utilization.
• Leads regional UCC retention and prospecting efforts, identifying at-risk members, opportunities to deepen existing relationships and prospective members within the Northern California market.
• Maintains a strong understanding of the regional construction and labor market and identifies emerging trends, risks and opportunities that may impact members, labor relations strategy or regional business performance.

Labor Relations Strategy & Advocacy 

• Serves as the senior regional labor relations leader and strategic advisor to members on union labor matters, disputes, grievances, collective bargaining and other complex labor relations issues.
• Cultivates and maintains strategic relationships with union leadership throughout Northern California and represents the Association and its members in high-level labor-management discussions, serving as a primary conduit between the Association, unions, union trusts and labor organizations.
• Leads regional grievance advocacy and ensures UCC members receive timely and strategic support, including:
• Intervention and advocacy with union officials on behalf of UCC members.
• PLA and pre-job support, including union jurisdictional disputes.
• Guidance regarding disputes associated with Master Labor Agreements.
• Oversight of grievance documentation, hearings, meeting records and follow-up activities.

Collective Bargaining 

• With the guidance of the VP, provides strategic leadership for the collective bargaining process involving multiple agreements throughout Northern California and ensures meaningful member participation and engagement throughout bargaining.
• In close coordination with the VP, the Sr. Dir. will advise members and committees in:
  • Identifying bargaining priorities, issues and positions.
  • Developing contract proposals and contract language.
  • Evaluating benefit plans, programs and economic impacts.
  • Preparing and reviewing compensation, market and financial analysis.
  • Developing contingency strategies related to potential work stoppages.
  • Evaluating special agreements necessary to respond to changing market conditions.
• Ensures bargaining strategies reflect member priorities, market conditions, organizational objectives and the long-term competitiveness of the Associations signatory contractors.

Financial & Performance Accountability 

• Develops and manages the regional Contract Administration budget and is accountable for achieving established financial, growth, retention and engagement targets.
• Monitors regional financial and membership performance, analyzes trends and takes proactive action when results are not tracking to established goals.
• Prepares and presents monthly, quarterly and annual financial, membership, engagement and performance reports to management.
• Establishes appropriate regional performance indicators and uses data to evaluate member engagement, service utilization, retention, growth and overall health of the Northern California UCC book of business.

Team & Operational Leadership 

• Leads and develops the Northern California Labor Relations team, establishing clear priorities, performance expectations and accountability for member service, contract administration and departmental goals.
• Directly manages the Labor Compliance Manager and/or other regional labor relations support staff, including coaching, professional development, performance management and workload prioritization.
• Ensures the regional team delivers consistent, timely and high-quality member service and continuously evaluates opportunities to improve processes, systems and the member experience.
• Provides oversight of Contract Administration responsibilities, including:
  • Administration of collective bargaining agreements and Master Labor Agreements.
  • Maintenance of UCC and committee rosters, distribution lists and member/non-member signatory rosters.
  • Tracking and maintenance of member Powers of Attorney (POAs), ensuring accurate records and timely notification to applicable unions.

Committee & Trustee Oversight

• Provides high level support and strategic guidance to the UCC, TCC and applicable subcommittees.
• Oversees staff responsible for coordination, preparation and organization of committee meetings, materials, minutes and action items.
• Advises the UCC and committees regarding significant labor issues, industry trends, bargaining developments and emerging risks.
• Ensures all Association union trustee positions are appropriately maintained and works to ensure trustees are engaged on a regular basis in order to be informed and positioned to effectively represent the Association and its members.
• Identifies, recruits and develops member leaders to actively participate in UCC committees, collective bargaining teams, trustee roles and other Association leadership opportunities.

Member & Industry Engagement 

• Develops and executes strategies to increase meaningful UCC member participation in collective bargaining, committees, labor-management initiatives and Association programs.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with member company executives and key labor relations contacts through proactive and consistent outreach, including quarterly in-person member visits and regular phone-based touchpoints, to understand member business needs, workforce challenges, labor relations priorities and emerging issues.
• Develops, coordinates and executes labor-management events, meetings and strategic opportunities for union leaders to engage with the Association and its members.
• Works cross-functionally with Association leadership and teams to connect regional members with relevant resources, programs and opportunities that increase engagement and strengthen the overall value of membership.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBIITES: This position supervises a Labor Compliance Manger and/or administrative support staff for the labor relations department. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: This position has a 40% travel requirement.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from an accredited four-year college or university in business, human resources, industrial relations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible labor relations experience is required, including at least two (2) years of construction labor relations experience. Three (3) to five (5) years of direct experience in labor contract negotiations on behalf of management is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS: A current CA driver’s license and proof of auto insurance are required.