Director - HR, Labor Relations

There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines. We’re on a path towards becoming the best airline in the history of aviation. Our shared purpose – Connecting People, Uniting the World – is about more than getting people from one place to another. It also means that as a global company that operates in hundreds of locations around the world with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees, we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly, and we can only do that with a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. And we’re growing – in the years ahead, we’ll hire tens of thousands of people across every area of the airline. Our careers include a competitive benefits package aimed at keeping you happy, healthy, and well-traveled. From employee-run "Business Resource Group" communities to world-class benefits like parental leave, 401k, and privileges like space available travel, United is truly a one-of-a-kind place to work. Are you ready to travel the world?

At United, we offer more than jobs, we build careers. Our HR team is passionate about growing our diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We empower our team members to pursue unique career paths, promote a culture where all employees feel included and empowered to a make a measurable difference in our success, and value the achievements and advancement of our diverse workforce. Join our team and chart your own uniquely United career journey!

The main responsibility of this position is to provide counsel and support to the company in all areas of labor relations with primary responsibility for United’s pilots and pilot instructors including but not limited to dispute resolution, negotiation/collective bargaining, implementation of the collective agreement, grievance resolution and case management, conduct of hearings and support of arbitration proceedings. Advises and counsels HR and senior leadership on labor relations strategy. Ensures that collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and disciplinary procedures are consistently carried out across division through various dispute resolution means.

In addition, the position is responsible for ensuring HR policies are following CBA. Responsibilities include effective working relationships with employees and union officials. Position also involves direct negotiation as a company spokesperson and other duties as designated by the Managing Director.

• Work directly with senior leaders in in Flight Operations, Technology, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Resource Planning, Payroll, and the pilot union to answer questions, provide input, review policy and direct numerous projects and topics touching pilots and issues.
• Work directly with multiple levels and committees within the pilot union, providing leadership for many issues related to the union.
• Provides leadership in collaborating with multiple committees within the pilot union, including the Grievance, Scope, and Alliance, Negotiating and Hotel committees, serving as a general point of contact for all ad-hoc issues that may arise from the pilot union.
• Establishes and maintains ongoing positive relationships with all levels of union officials.
• Contract Implementation and Negotiation.
• Collaborates directly with Officers and senior level leaders, operational divisions, and subject matter experts to develop and evaluate proposals and provisions of CBA.
• Provides direction on strategy and to develop letters of agreement and memoranda of understanding as vital for the operation of the airline between contract revisions.
• Requires an understanding of the issues that might cause operational concerns in the future or in the context of confidential business plans of the airline.
• Ensures that United remains in a competitive position with respect to similar work groups among our industry competitors.
• Analyzes business unit needs to improve efficiency under existing CBA, including strategizing desired changes to agreement.
• Provides long-term and broad views regarding labor implications of business decisions.
• Plans, creates, and implements strategies to attain business goals with respect to labor relations and human resource initiatives.
• Formulates policy recommendations involving the application and interpretation of such laws and regulations, including potential conflicts with the terms of CBA.

United values diverse experiences, perspectives, and we encourage everyone who meets the minimum qualifications to apply. While having the “desired” qualifications make for a stronger candidate, we encourage applicants who may not feel they check ALL those boxes! We are always looking for individuals who will bring something new to the table.

• Bachelors degree; Business, Labor Relations, Human Resources
• 10+ years of proven experience
• 5+ years’ experience dealing with national labor unions for a major air carrier
• HR experience with labor relations experience in a union/management environment Consulting, Labor Relations, HR Policy Development, and Implementation experience
• Comprehensive understanding of unions and labor environments, in addition to employment and legal principles, practices and plans
• Effective writing skills
• Analytical thinking and communication skills
• Understanding of federal and state laws and regulations relating to HR
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship agreement
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Microsoft Office Proficiency
• Reliable, punctual attendance is a crucial function of the position

• Masters degree or law degree
• Direct labor negotiation experience
• Experience working under the Railway Labor Act

United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact JobAccommodationsunited.com to request accommodation.