Port of Portland – Labor Relations Manager

Motus Recruiting & Staffing, Inc. is proud to partner with the Port of Portland in its executive search to find a Labor Relations Manager.

ABOUT PORT OF PORTLAND:

At the Port, we connect people and passengers with the world, drive economic growth, bringing people, product, and places together to improve our region’s quality of life. We are committed to providing a safe, respectful space that allows everyone to thrive and contribute a wide range of backgrounds, skills, and abilities to the organization.

OVERVIEW OF THE LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER ROLE:

In Human Resources, you will have the opportunity to work with many levels of professionals from landscaping to legal, construction to concessions. You'll enjoy the challenges and rewards of working with both represented and non-represented groups. As part of a high-performing HR team, you will support a full range of programs that enhance workforce performance, advance our core values, and contribute to the professional growth of our employees across the organization.

We believe diversity of thought can enhance the quality of any work environment. We are looking for applicants to bring their knowledge, lived experiences, and cultural background and can convey a personal perspective and unique outlook to this role. The successful candidate will have a strong sense of team, commitment, collaboration, and will embrace the value of providing excellent customer service. This person will share our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and will help advance practices, strategies, and behaviors that promote equitable outcomes for all.

The Labor Relations Manager establishes and maintains labor management relations for the Port and the eleven (11) bargaining units that represent Port employees. Provides leadership and consulting expertise on labor relations policy and represents management in labor relations, including negotiation, interpretation, and administration of eight (8) collective bargaining agreements.

Salary Range for Labor Relations Manager: $113k-$139k

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER:

• Serves as the Port’s chief spokesperson for contract negotiations for all eight (8) labor agreements including mid-term bargaining.
• Develops positions, proposals, and strategies in collective bargaining activities, and negotiates labor agreements.
• Prepares Memorandums of Agreement, Understanding and Exception, along with Supplemental Agreements.
• Facilitates labor management meetings, research issues brought forward, and prepares the Port’s response. 
• Maintains current knowledge of labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes.
• Conducts research necessary to support contract negotiations. 
• Uses appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts consistent with the Port’s mission, vision, and values.
• Provides Port leadership, department managers, employees, and HR staff with appropriate information, technical assistance, and recommendations regarding a wide variety of labor relations issues.
• Administers and manages administration of labor contracts. Provides interpretation of labor contracts to employees, managers, and HR staff. Analyzes and interprets language in collective bargaining agreements for compliance with federal, state, and local laws, Port policies, and management practices; recommends modifications and changes as appropriate.
• Advises managers and employees on sensitive labor relations matters, including grievance and arbitration procedures, performance issues, and disciplinary actions. Advises and assists managers in identifying employee relations issues and determining the appropriate course of action.
• Provides information, advice, and assistance to Human Resources staff regarding the application of statutes, regulations, contracts, and labor relations practices relating to their functional areas.
• Oversees processes for review and resolution of employee grievances. Represents the Port in grievance hearings and mediation. Prepares and presents, in conjunction with legal counsel, management positions at binding arbitration. May represent the Port in arbitrations and Employment Relations Board hearings related to unfair labor practice complaints.
• Develops, facilitates, and maintains cooperative working relationships with employee representative organizations, Port leadership, and department managers including coordination of joint labor-management committees. Exercises professional leadership in promoting good employee/management relations.
• Develops and delivers labor relations training to Port managers to equip and grow their labor relations knowledge, skills, and abilities. Develops communication and training for managers to facilitate the correct and consistent implementation of and adherence to collective bargaining agreement terms and court decisions that affect the represented public sector workplace.
• Maintains knowledge of labor laws, administrative rulings, relevant court decisions, labor relations trends, PERS rules and regulations, Port policies, and the Port’s eight (8) labor agreements.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, the social sciences, or related field. Master’s degree is a plus OR any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties (required).
• Labor relations principles and practices, including contract administration and interpretation, collective bargaining, legislation, court decisions, ERB decisions, regulations, and standards regarding collective bargaining and labor relation activities.
• National Labor Relations Act, the National Labor Relations Board, Oregon’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act.
• Demonstrated leadership, judgment, and industry competence.
• Experience in employment and labor laws and regulations (e.g. EEO, AA, ADA, FMLA, etc.)
• Mediation and other dispute resolution systems and techniques experience.
• Knowledge of human resources policies, human resources functions, and systems such as performance management, recruitment and selection, compensation, benefits, payroll, and wage and hour law.
• PHR/SPHR and HR related certifications a plus.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Interpreting, explaining, and applying collective bargaining contract language administrative rules, processes, procedures, and federal, state, and local rulings and policies.
• Excellent management, human relations, negotiation, communication, coaching, and group presentation skills. 
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships in a consulting environment.

• Mediation, conflict resolution, and other dispute resolution systems and techniques experience. Demonstrated leadership, judgment, and industry competence. Strong written and verbal communications and presentation skills
• Demonstrate the Port's commitment to valuing differences among individuals and passion for being inclusive.
• Reconcile labor relations issues in the context of both existing labor agreements and desired future states of labor at the Port.
• Conduct fact-finding interviews and internal investigations, obtain relevant factual information, evaluate its significance, and recommend appropriate courses of action on identified issues.
• Foster and maintain effective professional relationships with Port leadership, department managers, HR staff, employees, and employees’ representative organizations.
• Provide high-quality, timely labor relations services, advice, and counsel.
• Successfully balance priorities with a heavy workload and multiple clients.
• Influence at all levels of management.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Diversity and Inclusion: At the Port, we don't just accept difference; we value and support it to create a culture of inclusiveness and fun. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• EEO/Affirmative Action Policy Statement: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal, and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination and affirmative action.
• Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
• Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other highly sensitive positions.
• ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process.