Employee Relations Director jobs in Minnesota

At Pentair, you will work along-side passionate problem-solvers who are committed to the future of our planet. We put our purpose into practice, inspiring people to move, improve and enjoy life's essential resources for happier, healthier lives. From our residential and business water solutions, to our sustainable innovations and applications, our 11,250 global employees serve customers in more than 150 countries, working to help improve lives and the environment around the world.

As a Pentair employee, you would enjoy a wide array of benefit options to help keep you and your family healthy and protected, a generous 401(k) and ESPP to help you save for retirement, plus paid time off and wellness programs to encourage a healthy work/life balance.

We have an opportunity for a Senior Director of Labor & Employee Relations to join our Golden Valley team. You will be responsible for establishing and executing on the overall Labor and Employee Relations strategy across Pentair. The strategy will create a labor and employee relations environment that is consistent with Pentair's 'Win-Right' Values, consistent with company policy and procedures, and free of unnecessary litigation. This Labor & Employee relations strategy will be underpinned by robust processes and systems to ensure we are able to fully engage employees across Pentair and so that risks are identified and mitigated.

This role will provide strategic expertise and counsel to the business leaders and HR leaders to achieve a productive environment that will cultivate management's relationship with employees. The successful leader in this role will work jointly with senior business leaders, HR leaders, and Legal to drive a holistic program across both employee and labor relations.

This role will report to the EVP & CHRO but work very closely with the General Counsel and Legal team, as well as and other Executive Team members of Pentair as they develop and execute the Labor and Employee Relations strategy. This role will lead a team of 1-2 Labor Relations Specialists and oversee the labor and employee work across the larger network of Labor & Employee Relations Managers at ~15 sites globally.

You Will:

• Partners with business leaders, senior level HR leaders, and Legal colleagues to develop a non-union employee relations strategy ensuring there is a pro-active approach and process to identify and mitigate potential concerns, as well as enabling the execution of key initiatives in the business.
• As part of the overarching employee relations strategy, this role will lead the development of policies, processes and key metrics to continually identify and improve the environment.
• Maintains a key leadership role in helping to shape and change the culture across Pentair through proactive employee engagement and change initiatives.
• Work with HR leaders, HR Business Partners, and Labor & Employee Relations Managers to implement and maintain pro-active, positive employee relations through providing advice, counsel, and training regarding all related issues.
• Provide strategic guidance on labor-specific issues to Human Resources and operational managers on a range of topics (labor investigations, violation of company labor policies, collective bargaining agreements, etc.) to avoid unnecessary conflict and litigation.
• Develops a robust labor relations strategy including the preparation and participation in the labor negotiation processes, providing advice on interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, and providing advice on mediating or arbitrating grievances as necessary.
• Proactively plans, sets objectives and develops appropriate strategies and tactics with senior business leaders and operational leaders that will deliver efficient, cost driven labor agreements through an environment of collaborative partnership.
• Acts as the chief spokesperson for multiple labor agreements and represents management in labor contract negotiations. Additionally, serves as the company advocate in mediation, arbitration, and other proceedings as needed.
• Discuss issues with union representatives representing management and leading discussions during grievance meetings.
• Manage Pentair's response to any union organizing drives.
• Oversees and supports in-country Labor & Employee Managers on issues requiring works council information and consultation globally (where applicable).
• Develop and provide management labor training as required and needed for execution of the strategy.

Key Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, individuals must be able to perform the essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the Senior Director, Labor & Employee Relations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field. Master's degree is preferred.
• 8 years of experience in Labor Relations managing and negotiating collective bargaining agreements, handling arbitrations and managing issues related to union organizing drives.
• Demonstrated successful track record in the collective bargaining process, handling of grievances and arbitrations, managing issues related to union organizing drives, as well as establishing positive labor-management and employee relations in a global multi-national organization.
• Experience in leading the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements in a manufacturing or industrial setting including new contracts, existing contracts, and effects bargaining is required. Experience with different, multiple unions that typically exist in this environment is preferred (e.g., AIM, IBEW, Teamsters, USW)
• Knowledge of and experience with European Works Councils and those organizations similarly situation across the globe.
• Exceptional negotiations, influencing, facilitation, and collaboration skills are required.
• Strong understanding of the industry, competitors, customers, suppliers, and business strategy of Pentair to be able to anticipate trends, changes, and potential repercussions bringing a more holistic Labor Relations perspective to business decisions.
• Extensive knowledge and up-to-date trends of National Labor Relations Act and applicable cases.
• Strong analytical abilities and business/financial acumen is required.
• Coaching skills and the ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with employees, managers, and union representatives across varying levels and roles.
• Ability to make timely, effective principles-based decisions with the utmost integrity is a must.

Pentair is an Equal Opportunity Employer

With our expanding global presence, cross-cultural insight and competence are essential for our ongoing success. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes different perspectives and creative ideas that enable us to continue to improve every day. Race, gender, ethnicity, country of origin, age, personal style, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, life experiences and many more factors contribute to this diversity.

We take ongoing action to improve the diversity of our workforce by:

• Ensuring leadership involvement and ownership
• Attracting and retaining diverse talent at all levels
• Fostering a globally aware, inclusive culture
• Ensuring our practices are fair and non-discriminatory