Director, Labor Relations & Employee Relations Counsel

Director Level Labor Relations Counsel

5-days on-site in Minneapolis, MN

Salary: 160,000 - 180,000 with up to 50% bonus

Position Summary

The Labor Relations Counsel is a key in‑house advisor within the Labor Relations and Legal/Compliance organization. The role focuses on strategic labor guidance and supports the company's labor relations strategy, including collective bargaining, grievance management, and compliance under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Railway Labor Act (RLA). This position contributes directly to long-term labor strategy and is designed with a clear growth path into senior leadership.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to the Vice President, Labor Relations, Legal & Compliance
• Positioned within the Labor Relations and Legal/Compliance team
• Organizational structure may evolve as the function grows

Key Responsibilities

• Provide primary legal counsel on labor relations strategy and the administration of collective bargaining agreements.
• Support bargaining cycles and negotiations, ensuring compliance with the RLA, NLRA, and related regulations.
• Advise on contract interpretation, negotiation proposals, and long-term bargaining strategy.
• Support employee relations initiatives, ensuring fair practices, consistent application of policies, and alignment between labor strategy and broader workforce needs.
• Counsel Labor Employee Consultants and partner with union-represented groups across the organization.
• Guide grievance handling, arbitration strategy, and dispute resolution processes.
• Manage company involvement in NLRB matters, including elections, ULP allegations, and regulatory inquiries.
• Ensure labor relations practices align with internal policies and external compliance requirements.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, HR, Operations, and leadership on labor issues, workforce strategy, policies, and risk mitigation.

Requirements:

• Senior-level, 5-7+ years of experience
• Licensed labor/employment attorney with experience in:
• Union-facing work
• Employee Relations
• Collective bargaining
• Grievance and arbitration
• NLRB and/or RLA matters
• General Corporate knowledge
• Strong strategic judgment and the ability to integrate legal, operational, and business considerations.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working in a highly regulated, unionized, and operationally complex environment.
• Aviation or transportation sector experience is a plus, but not required.

Long-Term Career Path & Growth

This role is a cornerstone of a high-potential leadership pipeline, providing broad exposure to labor strategy and executive decision-making. Growth opportunities include progression into:

• Managing Director
• Chief Officer roles
• Vice President, Labor Relations, Legal & Compliance

The company views this role as a long-term investment in future leadership and organizational capability.