Labor Relations Director

Full Job Description

The mission of the Seattle Human Resources Department (SDHR) is to provide strategic and operational human resources services that meet the city's workforce and organizational needs.

Our values reflect our best thinking of how we want to act and interact with customers, consumers, partners, and each other: respect, excellence, integrity, equity, adaptability, integration, and accountability.

We are seeking a strategic, accomplished labor relations executive to serve as the city's Labor Relations Director at a pivotal moment.

This role offers both scope and influence: the chance to lead high-impact negotiations, guide a talented labor relations team, strengthen labor-management partnerships, and ensure that the city’s labor practices reflect its commitment to inclusive and accountable governance.

Within SDHR, Labor Relations provides technical and professional services to policymakers and city department managers to advance effective, respectful, and fair labor relations, enhancing the city's delivery of quality public services.

The Labor Relations division is staffed with 10 employees, including the Director, and operates with an FY 26 budget of $1.2 million.

Additional information regarding the City’s labor relations, including bargaining units and its Labor Relations Policy Committee, can be found here.

Requirements

The Labor Relations Director fosters collaborative relationships that advance the city’s labor relations strategy, supporting excellence in government and equitable treatment of all city employees.

Consistent with the city’s values of inclusive and accountable governance and its labor philosophy of collaboration and partnership, the Director is accountable for:

• Overseeing and coordinating the city’s labor relations system in accordance with SMC 4.04.120, including leadership of the city’s collective bargaining process and the development and implementation of labor relations policies, practices, and programs aligned with strategic objectives.
• Leading the city’s Labor Relations Division, including labor negotiators and analysts, to deliver high-quality labor relations services across all city departments, aligning day-to-day service delivery with citywide strategies, operations, and goals.
• Fostering a culture of employee engagement and labor relations service quality by aligning labor relations strategies, programs, and activities to support the work of the city, promote equity, and empower employees to deliver exceptional services and innovate for the people of Seattle.
• Ensuring consistent, principled engagement with labor partners during bargaining, in alignment with the city’s labor philosophy and parameters established by the Labor Relations Policy Committee (LRPC).
• Serving as a trusted advisor to city departments, proactively addressing diverse operational needs; communicating requirements under relevant collective bargaining agreements, labor law, and policies; supporting department leaders and staff; facilitating open, transparent communication with labor partners; and identifying and removing barriers to effective labor relations service delivery.

The Ideal Candidate

The city seeks a seasoned labor relations executive with the judgment, credibility, and mindset to strategically lead complex labor relations in a large, unionized public-sector environment.

The ideal candidate must be pragmatic, forward-thinking, and an advocate for collaborative action.

Their work history includes experience negotiating, implementing, and interpreting collective bargaining agreements with a deep understanding of employment and labor law.

They are a decisive, fair, and diplomatic leader who motivates others, respects diverse perspectives, and ensures equitable and sustainable outcomes.

A skilled organizational leader, they facilitate swift issue resolution and maintain high service standards.

Consistency, openness, and responsiveness are priorities, and they are recognized as a steady, trusted leader with deep technical expertise paired with strong political and organizational acumen.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic labor relations leadership, aligning labor strategy with organizational values and long-term operational, fiscal, and workforce priorities.
• Strong, trust-based partnerships with labor unions, maintaining constructive relationships while clearly representing the city’s interests and boundaries.
• Deep labor law and collective bargaining expertise, ensuring legally sound, consistent, and defensible outcomes across a complex organization.
• Effective relationship management, engaging department leaders, executives, union partners and stakeholders to support workforce stability and service delivery.
• Early issue identification and resolution, proactively addressing emerging labor concerns at the lowest appropriate level to prevent escalation and leading calmly and decisively through high-stakes situations, disputes, and disruptions.
• Advance problem solving, identifies root causes and delivers sustainable solutions with a high level of tact, good judgement, discretion, and diplomacy.
• Labor relations expertise, with a history of securing agreements that mitigate risk and balance employee needs with fiscal responsibility and operational sustainability. Leverages data and metrics to drive proactive interventions and innovation.
• Effective grievance and arbitration oversight, ensuring fair, consistent, and efficient processes through effective case management, adherence to due process, the use of alternative dispute resolution strategies, and the pursuit of equitable outcomes.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will be a collaborative, strategic leader with a history of leveraging their technical expertise in labor relations to achieve strategic, sustainable organizational outcomes. They think broadly, are grounded in human resources principles and practice, and communicate tactfully and effectively at all levels. Their professional career reflects a commitment to aligning labor strategy with business objectives and building consensus. They are decisive, keep their commitments, prioritize collaboration, and hold people accountable. As a leader, they value people, prioritize equity, and support an inclusive workplace culture. Their team values their mentorship, support and clear direction. They serve as a trusted partner, known for being a good listener and for their expertise as a lead negotiator.

Well-qualified candidates have managed labor relations or a comparable function in a high-profile and complex environment for a minimum of 10 years.

Their work history includes successful labor-management collaboration and union-side experience.

They bring a pragmatic mindset that recognizes the requirements and challenges unique to public-sector employment and the business of government.

Their work reflects financial, political, and legal acumen and a commitment to public service.

Additional Information

This full-time benefited position is classified as an Executive 3 in the city payroll system. It is not covered under the Civil Service System and is FLSA-exempt (not eligible for overtime pay). The full salary range for this classification title is $164,868 – $272,087 annually, based on 2088 hours ($78.96- $130.31 per hour). The identified salary range for the Labor Relations Director is $217,640 - $272,087 annually, based on 2088 hours ($104.23/hour - $130.31/hour).

Job offers are contingent on the review of criminal history and verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.

In compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17, applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

The City of Seattle recognizes that every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in race and social justice by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package, including vacation, holiday, and sick leave, as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about https://www.seattle.gov/humanresources/benefits/employees-andemployee benefits is available on the City's website at: covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should apply immediately. The City may close the recruitment at any time once a suitably strong group of candidates has been established.

Submit a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letter online at www.mosaicpublic.com/careers. Confidential inquiries are welcomed to: Greg Nelson | greg@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 581-1426.

This recruitment incorporates existing rules and regulations that govern public sector recruitments in the State of Washington.

In accordance with public disclosure/open record laws, information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public upon request by interested parties once candidates become finalists.

Please note that this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. This position is open to all individuals whose experience, skills, and abilities align with the qualifications presented above.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.