Associate Director Labor Relations - Remote 2382261 | Eden Prairie, Minnesota | Remote

Labor Relations Strategy Lead

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead labor relations strategy across assigned business units, bargaining units, or represented populations, ensuring alignment with enterprise people strategy and business objectives
• Lead collective bargaining activities including negotiations, shaping strategy, proposal preparation, costing support, bargaining logistics, tracking deliverables, and maintaining negotiation records
• Guide the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), providing consultation on grievance trends, contract administration, information requests, arbitration preparation, and dispute resolution
• Serve as strategic advisor to senior business leaders, HR, operations, and Legal on complex labor relations, employee relations, and workforce matters to ensure consistent application of labor strategy, policies, and contractual obligations
• Support proactive union engagement efforts and relationship management with union representatives and business stakeholders
• Coordinate responses to union requests and ensure timely follow-up on action items and commitments
• Lead resolution in partnership with operational leaders on complex represented workforce matters, including attendance, scheduling, staffing impacts, investigations, disciplinary matters, and policy interpretation as applicable under collective bargaining agreements
• Use workforce analytics, labor trends, business performance data and employee relations insights to inform strategy, identify risks, and recommend actions with broad business impact
• Partner with senior leaders to integrate labor, employee relations, and workforce considerations into business planning, operational decision making and change initiatives
• Represent the enterprise team in labor-management meetings, bargaining sessions, cross-functional leadership discussions and site visits as the subject matter expert
• Maintain accurate labor relations records, trackers, databases, and standard operating procedures
• Develop scalable tools, frameworks, leader resources, communication materials, and process improvements that strengthen labor relations operations, standardize practices and improve consistent application across markets or business segments
• Lead cross-functional workforce transition activities, including effective bargaining coordination, notice obligations, and labor integration efforts
• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), collective bargaining agreements, company policies, and applicable labor and employment laws
• Ability to travel up to 50%

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment
• Demonstrated working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, labor relations practices, and basic NLRA principles
• 1st chair experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Proven solid written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels
• Proven solid organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred Qualifications:

• 8+ years of HR, employee relations, labor relations, union operations, or related experience
• Experience with collective bargaining, grievance administration, contract interpretation, or represented workforce environments

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). The salary for this role will range from $112,700 to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.