HQA Sr. Director Labor and Associate Relations

Are you ready to take flight in a dynamic and fast-paced aviation industry? As a global leader in aviation services, Swissport provides Ground Handling, Cargo Handling, and Passenger Services to over 300 million passengers annually. Our mission is simple – “To provide the aviation industry with consistent and tailor-made solutions around the globe, for a better customer experience.”

We believe that our people are what differentiates us from our competition. At Swissport, we are driven by our core values of Show You Care, Do the Right Things and Win as a Team, and we are currently seeking dedicated individuals, who align with these values, to join our team at various locations across the globe.

Job Summary

Swissport is seeking a flexible, adaptive, progress driven Sr. Director of Labor and Associate Relations to lead communications with our associates at the intersection of talent recognition, engagement, labor and internal communications to strengthen our Swissport brand and communicate effectively at scale.

The Sr. Director of Labor and Associate Relations will oversee the policies, procedures, and programs of the company's associate relations department, developing and improving programs related to employee morale and satisfaction.

Job requires approximately 15% travel regularly, with sporadic periods higher.

Employee may also be responsible for performing other job duties occasionally as assigned.

The expected pay rate is $170,000 - $200,000/year. Full-time employees are offered a range of health and wellness benefits as well as 401(k) with company match paid vacation time, sick time, and company paid holidays.

Your activities

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Trains, hires, and oversees the work of subordinate employee relations staff.
• Supervises and directs the development of in-service employee training and recruitment.
• Ensures compliance with human resource policies and procedures by subordinate staff.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Significant experience handling labor union matters, including, but not limited to, grievances, representing employers in arbitration hearings, managing administrative matters (NLRB, NMB, etc.), and union mediation and conflict resolution.
• Significant first-chair labor negotiation experience (Aviation industry experience is a plus).
• Leads and facilitates the employee relations program and related functions.
• Maintains, develops, recommends, and implements program objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Develops and pursues new goals and objectives for improvement in areas of employee relations.
• Communicates with employees regarding employee relations concerns; provides guidance and recommendations for resolution of issues.
• Counsels employees on legally significant concerns related to applicable equal employment opportunity laws including title vii, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other similar federal and state laws.
• Assists managers and supervisors in understanding and implementing company policies related to performance, discipline, and related topics.
• Provide regular updates to policies, SOPs, and lead the training of management and HR across the network relating to all labor and employee relations matters.
• Develops, presents, and administers departmental budget.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee might occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Your profile

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working closely with executive level officers and comfortability leading strategic initiatives.
• Thorough understanding of human resources and labor relations principles, practices, and procedures.
• Excellent management skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with employees, boards, officials, directors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain working relationships with union officials while upholding Company directives, goals, and confidential information.
• Working understanding of statistical concepts and methods of data collection.
• Ability to compile, research, and analyze information.
• Ability to compose and present comprehensive reports.
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Public Administration, or related field required; JD degree preferred.
• At least 10-15+ years of related experience required, including three years of management experience.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc…)
• Strong project management skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to build and manage corporate relationships with key influencers, including senior support team, HR team, and operational leaders.
• Self- directed and proactive.
• Works well under pressure and adapts well to working with short deadlines in tight turn-around situations.
• Readily accepts ownership and maintains a positive, supportive manner with a "team mentality"
• Ability to travel as needed

What we offer

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

At Swissport, we believe in diversity, equal opportunity, and the power of our values to drive our success. We are committed to providing a workplace that fosters inclusion and where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Visit our website at to learn more about Life at Swissport.

Join Swissport today and be part of a team that connects the world of aviation!