Lead Labor Relations Strategy - Strategic Programs

Job Information

Salary Range: $81,120 - $133,380

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more! 

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

The Labor Relations Strategy Lead reports into the AW2030 leadership team and is matrixed to the Senior Director of Employee and Labor Relations. The Labor Relations Strategy Lead contributes to and supports the development and optimization of Labor Relations change management processes, with a focus on efficiency, technology, systems, and data. This includes leveraging analytics and digital tools to enhance reporting and operational effectiveness. The Labor Relations Strategy Lead helps capture Labor Relations implications across AW2030 value streams to inform broader strategy.

This role supports the enterprise-wide labor strategy, which is owned and led by the Senior Director of Employee and Labor Relations (ELR), with guidance from HR Leadership team (HRLT) and other business stakeholders, including but not limited to AW2030.  Engagement with unions or development of communications / change /negotiations strategy will be guided by the ELR team and aligned with the enterprise-wide LR strategy. For broader change management efforts, the Labor Relations Strategy Lead will work with the AW2030 Human Centric Change (HCC) team, with ELR support for union populations, consistent with how other AW2030 streams are managed. 

Key Accountabilities

• Capture Labor Relations implications across AW2030 labor-related value streams to inform broader strategy.
• Optimize ELR processes focusing on technology, systems, and data.
• Provide opportunities on where to standardize labor agreements to ELR and to the HRLT.
• Advise grievance, negotiation, arbitration and investigation processes with legal, ELR and the HRLT.
• Provide input and support for continuous improvement across AW2030 labor-related value streams.
• Foster alignment across unions, legal, operations, and HR stakeholders.
• Collaborate on union-related change initiatives with the Human Centric Change team and all value streams, including but not limited to change impact analysis and communications and change readiness.

Knowledge/Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of labor laws, union policies, and collective agreements.
• Skilled at translating labor contracts and bargaining history analysis into strategies, proposals, costing models, and leadership-ready recommendations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Deep understanding of negotiation and conflict resolution tactics.
• Ability to influence and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency in data analysis and labor relations metrics.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive matters.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, or related field.

• 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations.
• Demonstrated experience in unionized environments and collective bargaining.
• Strong background in analyzing and interpreting labor contracts and advising on grievance, arbitration, and agency matter strategy in collaboration with LR leadership and counsel.
• Experience in strategic advisory roles within large organizations.
• Proven ability to manage complex labor relations issues.

Travel Requirements

Ability to travel as needed, with business travel estimated at about 25% to 50% of the time annually.

Work Environment

• Modern-day professional office environment
• Hybrid work schedule considerations

Competencies