Labor Relations Manager

Labor Relations Manager
Develops and executes labor strategies supporting EPC delivery, union engagement, and workforce development initiatives across regions.

Job #135724

Power

Reston, Virginia

Apply Now

Talascend is currently seeking a Labor Relations Manager for a direct hire opportunity with our client located in Reston, VA.


Overview:


The Region/GBU Labor Relations Manager is accountable for leading and executing labor relations strategy across an assigned Region or Global Business Unit (GBU), ensuring compliant, stable, and scalable labor frameworks that support EPC construction delivery. The role reports directly to the Labor Relations (LR) Operations Manager and operates as a key advisor to construction and workforce leadership.


This role owns the labor relations architecture that underpins estimate development, proposal development, construction execution, workforce development for a specific region/GBU. This includes responsibility for some union engagement, and workforce development arrangements such as apprenticeship programs, ensuring alignment with operational priorities, legal requirements, and enterprise strategy.



Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary labor relations lead for the assigned Region or GBU, accountable to the LR Operations Manager.
• Develop and implement labor relations strategies that support EPC construction delivery.
• Support negotiation (when required), interpretation, and governance of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), union agreements, and workforce development MOUs.
• Ensure labor frameworks enable workforce programs.
• Act as labor relations owner for a region or GBU.
• Maintain effective relationships with unions, building trades councils, workforce intermediaries, and government stakeholders, as required.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate labor relations risks that may impact safety, schedule, cost, or workforce availability.
• Provide expert labor relations advice to Operations, Construction, and GBU's.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, policies, delegation of authority, and contractual requirements.
• Escalate material labor risks and issues to the Operations Manager with clear recommendations.

Key Interfaces

• LR Operations Manager
• Relevant GBU leadership
• Estimators
• Proposal Bid Teams
• Construction Leadership
• Workforce Services Central Operations Team
• Legal and Contracts
• Project Management Teams
• Union and workforce partners
• Government and community stakeholders

Decision-Making Authority

• (When required and directed) Recommend and negotiate labor relations frameworks within approved delegations.
• Endorse labor-related provisions in workforce development agreements, subject to legal and financial approvals.
• Escalate labor relations risks that may materially impact operations.

Requirements:

• Requires bachelor's or master's degree (or international equivalent) and 13-15 years of relevant experience or 17-19 years of relevant work experience
• Significant experience in labor relations within large-scale construction, EPC, or industrial environments.
• Demonstrated experience working with union labor models.
• Experience negotiating and administering PLAs, collective agreements, and workforce development partnerships.
• Strong understanding of labor law and regulatory environments relevant to the assigned Region or GBU.
• Ability to operate effectively at enterprise, regional, and project levels.

Success Measures

• Stable and compliant labor environments across the assigned Region or GBU.
• Effective labor frameworks enabling workforce programs.
• Reduced labor-related schedule and cost risk.
• Strong, credible relationships with labor stakeholders.
• Clear alignment between labor relations strategy and operational delivery.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those qualified individuals who closely meet the qualifications of the position will be contacted. The details of the position are only a summary, other duties may be assigned as necessary.


Background Check and Drug Screen may be required.