At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides employee and labor relations counsel and service to leaders, embedded HR, employees, and union representatives.
• Creates and interprets Company policies, regulatory requirements, and collective bargaining agreement provisions.
• Implements and recommends programs, interventions, and other actions consistent with corporate strategy and culture and in accordance with Company policies, legal/regulatory requirements, and contractual agreements.
• Participates in the development of labor/employee relations and EEO strategies, policies, and practices.
• Assembles and leads company bargaining team comprised of key cross-functional leadership and HR representatives.
• Leads as chief spokesperson and/or actively participates in negotiation sessions. Under direction of HR Director, solicits input and approvals from MC Representatives for strategy, communication approaches, and key proposals.
• Develops negotiation strategy and identifies issues and needed contract changes. Identifies viable alternatives to union demands and Company proposals to be gained though negotiations; assembles data to backup the Company positions.
• In coordination with HR director, financial management, and compensation, employs cost modeling tools to provide leadership with costs of bargaining proposal alternatives and the overall contract costs over the term of the agreement.
• In coordination with HR director and communication representatives, develops and deploys overall negotiations communication strategy and approaches.
• Keeps abreast of labor relations policies, programs, trends and practices to maintain consistent administration.
• Informs leadership and makes recommendations relating to new developments, and in alignment with both corporate strategy and the company's efforts to maintain management rights.
• Serves as a liaison between the Company and the Union for day-to-day contract administration. Leads cross-functional teams for projects, program, and policy design relating to labor/employee relations and EEO issues which includes but isn't limited to company/union study committees, company bargaining teams, and ad hoc policy design teams.
• Under general direction, researches and analyzes best practices by leveraging and participating in SME groups (e.g., HRPA labor advisory board, EEAC) and makes recommendations for changes in Company policies, practices and/or procedures.
• As SME in labor relations and/or EEO, partners with company and external legal counsel and HR leadership to develop strategies and approaches for complex ER/labor/EEO situations.
• Takes the lead role in investigating and resolving escalated ER/labor/EEO cases and in partnership with embedded HR and/or department leadership.
• Coordinates, in partnership with ER director and/or legal counsel, the annual affirmative action plan and company response to claims including but not limited to employment/EEO claims and first-step grievances.
• Develops and recommends new policies, programs and practices to enhance and support company strategy and culture of high-performance and engagement.
• Assists with assessing the organization's needs and provides the Company with solutions to resolve work-related problems.
• The incumbent works with the director to develop, enhance and maintain Company policies and procedures. The individual researches and defines business needs, recommends, prioritizes and coordinates changes and enhancements to current practices, which integrate with business strategy and the organization goals.
• The incumbent develops and implements training, tools, systems, and templates for embedded HR and/or people leaders to facilitate effective execution of employee/labor relations and EEO strategies and practices across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with an emphasis in employee/labor relations, human resources, employment law, and/or a related business field and a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
• A Master's degree in industrial/labor relations, HR, or a JD is strongly preferred and may be substituted for some of the relevant work experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills including influence and persuasion.
• Demonstrated leadership and decision making skills.
• Must be able remain calm under pressure and to take the lead in conflict and high-stress situations.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of Human Resources management, employee/labor relations, and/or legal/regulatory HR (including EEO).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to set priorities and carry out multiple, diverse assignments within time deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and train HR peers and partners, and to develop effective programs/interventions that meet business needs.
• Superior oral and written communications skills, including the ability to write contractual language and responses to employment claims on behalf of the company.
• Ability to effectively interact with all levels of internal employees and external parties (e.g. union reps, regulatory agents, external counsel, etc.)
• Flexibility and the ability to creatively respond to changing conditions required.
• SPHR certification.

Compensation Range:
Pay Range - Start:
$66,850.00
Pay Range - End:
$95,500.00
Please note that this is the standard pay structure. Positions in certain locations (such as California) may provide an increase on the standard pay structure based on the location. Pleas e click here for additi onal information relating to location-based pay structures.
Grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our client's interests at the center of all we do. Get started now!
We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you work or would be working in California, Colorado, New York City, Washington or outside of a Corporate location, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.