Hybrid Labor Relations Director

at Acuity

• Job title: Labor Relations Director
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $135,500 - $243,900 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Atlanta, United States

About the role

• Labor Relations Director for Acuity Inc. fostering positive associate relations and union partnerships through collaboration and negotiation efforts while traveling to various sites.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders to maintain and foster relationships that ensures a culture where management preserves the direct relationship with associates.
• Establish strong relationships with union leaders to navigate day-to-day situations.
• Lead and support collective bargaining negotiations, ensuring agreements are equitable, compliant, and sustainable for both associates and the organization.
• Interpret and implement union contracts, providing guidance to leadership on key provisions, expectations, and enforcement.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Manage and respond to union grievances, arbitration cases, and dispute resolution efforts, working toward timely and effective resolutions.
• Promote a collaborative work culture through labor-management initiatives that enhance associate satisfaction and retention.
• Educate supervisors and management on union-related policies, labor best practices, and effective negotiation strategies.
• Conduct workplace assessments and associate sentiment analysis to identify potential labor concerns before escalation.
• Develop and implement associate engagement programs that strengthen workplace morale and productivity.
• Design and execute union engagement strategies that align with long-term business and workforce goals.
• Analyze industry trends, union strategies, and legislative changes that impact labor relations practices.
• Provide ongoing training for leadership and HR professionals on effective labor relations management and contract interpretation and ownership.
• Support company-wide initiatives that strengthen relationships between management, union representatives, and associates.
• Travel on a regular basis to company sites across the US, meeting with site leadership, hosting in-person meetings and enhancing local labor relations.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience in labor relations, associate relations or other People experience roles
• Ideal experience in high-growth, fast-paced, and highly dynamic environments
• 3+ years of experience creating and developing strategy plans and/or executing strategies and managing projects
• 3+ years of experience in influencing and building strong relationships with stakeholders and senior business leaders across functions and/or programs
• Experience working with Unions in an HR capacity
• A proven track record of handling complex performance management, sensitive exits, and conflict resolution with a steady, thoughtful, and pragmatic approach with high attention to detail
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills—building trust quickly, communicating with warmth and clarity, and connecting with associates, managers, and senior leaders alike
• A low-ego, high-ownership mindset.
• An ability to work both strategically and in day-to day situations that require hands-on support and a roll up your sleeves mentality
• Strong instincts for people and culture, with the ability to read situations, understand organizational dynamics, and offer grounded, empathetic guidance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially when navigating sensitive or high-stakes conversations
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and rapid change, with the ability to move quickly and decisively while staying aligned with the brand and mission
• A commitment to fairness, discretion, and principled decision-making. Providing thoughtful, balanced, and clear-eyed guidance, even under pressure
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint to analyze associate relations data, develop reports, and present workforce trends to leadership

Benefits

• health care
• dental coverage
• vision plans
• 401K benefits
• commissions/incentive compensation depending on the role