Labor Relations Manager

The Port of Portland is Hiring for a

Labor Relations Manager

We are looking for a Labor Relations Manager who fosters a fair, respectful, and collaborative workplace by strengthening relationships between the Port and its represented employees. This role provides leadership and expertise on labor relations strategies, policies, and practices that support both organizational goals and employee success. By guiding constructive dialogue, facilitating the resolution of workplace issues, and ensuring ethical and legal compliance, the Labor Relations Manager helps create a positive environment. The position also represents management in negotiations, interpretation, and administration of collective bargaining agreements, building trust and partnership with labor representatives to achieve shared outcomes.

From the Hiring Manager - Are you ready to be the strategic voice that shapes the future of labor-management relations in a high-impact, mission-driven organization? As the Port's Labor Relations Manager, you'll step into a pivotal role where your expertise will drive meaningful change. You'll lead impactful negotiations, resolve complex challenges, and influence policies that directly impact the employee experience. You'll be the trusted advisor to leadership, the respected partner to labor representatives, and the catalyst for a culture of collaboration and respect. Here, your work won't just check a box-it will set the tone for how we work together, grow together, and succeed together. If you're looking for a role where the decisions you make shape the Port's future-and where your voice truly matters-this is where you belong.

• In collaboration with senior leadership, develops, implements, and directs the Port's labor relations strategic plan and program. Leads and manages the labor relations strategy, aligning with Port's strategic objectives, business and work plans, and regulatory requirements.
• Serves as the Port's chief spokesperson for contract negotiations for collective bargaining agreements. 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. 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.
• Full position description with all other aspects of the scope of the role is available.

Education and Experience required for this role.

• Experience: 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Labor Relations
  1. To include at least 5+ years' experience as chief spokesperson negotiating successful labor agreements between management and employee organizations; experience planning, directing, and organizing the labor activities of a public agency is preferred; or the equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience.
  2. To include at least 3+ years of people management experience.
• License and/or Certification: (Preferred, not required) Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
• Education: Master's/bachelor's degree in labor relations, Human Resources, Business, the social sciences, or related field. Experience may be substituted for the educational qualifications.

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

• 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 relations activities.
• National Labor Relations Act, the National Labor Relations Board, Oregon's Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act, the Oregon Employment Relations Board, and state and federal employment laws; labor laws, administrative rulings, relevant court decisions, labor relations trends, PERS rules and regulations.
• Interpreting, explaining, and applying collective bargaining contract language, administrative rules, processes, procedures, and federal, state, and local rulings and policies.
• Make presentations to and/or facilitate sometimes large and challenging groups, bring stakeholders with diverse viewpoints to consensus and influence others and develop coalitions.
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to document processes
• Shows the utmost respect for others and is a proven team player

Working Conditions

We offer a flexible hybrid schedule that combines work-life balance with team collaboration. You'll be in the office Tuesday through Thursday to engage with colleagues and support our business lines, with the flexibility to work from home on Mondays and Fridays.

Compensation

Our organization adheres to established salary ranges for each position to ensure equitable pay practices. However, final offers are determined based on various factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and considerations of internal pay equity.

Selection Process (Tentative Schedule):

1. A minimum qualification evaluation of education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources until the role closes on the 17th.

2. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel will perform an evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials.

3. Our goal is to schedule virtual first round of interviews with candidates who successfully passed the SME evaluation by the week of September 22, 2025. Panel Interviews will be held the week of October 6th, 2025.

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.

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 veteran's 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 safety-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 an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.