Lead, Labor Relations

The Lead, Labor Relations Manager serves as a senior Subject Matter Expert on collective bargaining agreements with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). This role provides advanced strategic guidance to business units while leading complex labor relations processes, driving negotiations, and mentoring junior team members. The Lead, Labor Relations Manager operates with a high degree of independence, influences cross-functional outcomes, and plays a critical role in shaping labor relations strategy across the organization. Here's what you'll do: Contract Administration and Interpretation * Serve as the primary organizational authority on CBA interpretation for CWA and IBEW agreements, providing binding guidance to business unit leaders and HR partners. * Analyze complex and ambiguous contractual language to deliver clear, actionable recommendations that support operational decision-making. * Monitor contract compliance across assigned business units, proactively identifying and addressing potential violations before they escalate. Grievance and Dispute Management * Lead the end-to-end grievance process across multiple business units, from initial filing through arbitration preparation and resolution. * Develop and execute resolution strategies for high-complexity or high-risk grievances, balancing contractual obligations with business priorities. * Maintain accurate and thorough documentation of all grievance activity, outcomes, and precedent-setting decisions to inform future labor relations decisions. Union Relationship Management * Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with CWA and IBEW union representatives at the local and regional level. * Serve as the lead management liaison during ongoing labor-management meetings, joint committees, and contract administration discussions. * Facilitate collaborative problem-solving sessions between union representatives and management to resolve disputes and improve the overall labor-management relationship. Negotiations Support and Strategy * Lead or co-lead contract negotiations for assigned agreements, developing proposals, counter-proposals, and negotiating strategies aligned with organizational objectives. * Conduct in-depth research on bargaining history, labor trends, industry benchmarks, and arbitration precedents to inform negotiating positions. * Prepare comprehensive bargaining summaries, briefing materials, and post-negotiation reports for senior leadership. Cross-Functional Leadership and Guidance * Partner with HR, Legal, Operations, and Finance teams on labor relations matters that have cross-functional impact. * Lead small to mid-sized labor relations projects and initiatives, managing timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communication. * Provide mentorship, coaching, and day-to-day guidance to less experienced Labor Relations team members. * Develop and deliver training to business unit managers on CBA compliance, grievance handling, and union interaction best practices What you'll need to be successful: Experience * 3 to 5 years of progressive labor relations experience, with demonstrated expertise in collective bargaining agreement administration and negotiations. * Prior experience working directly with CWA and/or IBEW is strongly preferred. * Experience supporting multiple business units or operating in a complex, matrixed organization. Education * Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required. * Advanced degree or professional certification in Labor Relations or Employment Law is a plus. Knowledge and Skills * Advanced knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, labor law, and labor relations principles, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). * Proven ability to interpret highly complex contractual language and translate it into clear operational guidance. * Strong negotiating skills with a demonstrated track record of achieving mutually beneficial outcomes in formal bargaining settings. * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust with both union representatives and senior management stakeholders. * Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize bargaining history, arbitration decisions, and labor trends into actionable strategy. * High attention to detail and sound judgment in contract interpretation and grievance resolution. * Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while leading projects and collaborating across teams. May require a background check due to job duties requiring routine access to DIRECTV and DIRECTV customer's proprietary data. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction will be considered for employment in accordance with local ordinances and state law. This is a remote position that can be located anywhere in the contiguous United States. #LI-Remote A career with us comes with big rewards: DIRECTV's compensation structure is designed to be market-competitive and fully supports efforts to attract and retain employees. It is the company's policy to offer pay that is competitive with other employers in the local market. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The Base Salary range displayed below reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for each of DIRECTV's 4 (four) US Labor Market Zones. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. DIRECTV WAGE ZONES: $100,947 - $183,299 Low (N1): $100,947 - $151,421 Mid (N2): $106,260 - $159,390 High (N3): $116,886 - $175,329 Top (N4): $122,199 - $183,299 Click HERE to review information on some of the largest Designated Market Areas (DMAs). Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the salary ranges reflect base salary only and do not include bonus or benefits - when you consider all of these together, it represents a pretty impressive total compensation package. Apply today! Fair Chance Ordinance Notice for Los Angeles County applying for jobs at DIRECTVCompliance Notice Regarding Use of Automated Decision-Making Tools in Hiring Process