Director, Labor Negotiations

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Labor Relations will have report to the Senior Director of Labor Relations, CALA. This position will contribute an elevated level of human resource generalist knowledge, with specialized labor/associate relations as a shared service for hotels. As a member of the Human Resources organization, this position will partner with key stakeholders including CALA HR Team, Regional Operations Team, and Property Leadership Teams to ensure a cooperative work environment consistent with the mission, values, and objectives of Marriott International. The Director of Labor Relations will be accountable for executing labor relations plans, programs, and processes including both proactive and reactive work that supports overall regional business objectives. The leader will partner with business operations and Continent HR leaders to develop and implement strategies and plans to enhance the work environment, employee engagement and retention. While working closely with various levels of leadership, this individual will ensure a complete understanding of HR labor strategy, programs, and policies to ensure that growth, successful change management, and people-related issues and objectives are anticipated and managed effectively and consistently throughout the region

EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

Business/Functional Results

• Collaborate with all stakeholders to cultivate partnerships to meet the needs of the property/market/region while providing sound labor relations advice and assistance to all levels of management within the region.
• Assists in leadership challenges that may have broader impact to market/region and ensure that strategies are developed and executed
• Negotiate and administer collective bargaining agreements. Will work with the property and HR leadership, unions and employee representatives to negotiate terms and ensure agreements are upheld.
• Develop policies and procedures and ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations by creating and implementing relevant tools and resources.
• Advise management by providing guidance on labor relations matters to all levels of management.
• This Director of Labor Relations may be deployed to hotels/markets where there may be labor relations concerns and will assist the ADHR in scanning the environment for any potential labor threats.
• Strong analytical and research skills needed to assess current labor climate
• Participates in and deploy Labor Educational Training Programs, labor/employee relations-related interventions (e.g., focus groups, feedback sessions, etc.), Guarantee of Fair Treatment/Arbitration, and Peer Review program implementation (where applicable) and support, in collaboration with the corporate Employee & Labor Relations department. Responsible for documentation and disciplinary action training for line managers.
• Assists corporate, the property and outside counsel in research and preparation of grievances, mediations, arbitrations and/or employment lawsuits.

Strategic Leadership

• Determine and assess risk factors of current market conditions and create plan to address proactively using tools such as SWOT Analysis, Environment Scan and Costing Tool.
• Create alignment and partner with stakeholders to ensure maximum focus and support
• Consult with senior leaders and Legal (as necessary) to identify trends, successes, and areas for opportunity
• Provide recommendations for further action and follow –up
• Mitigate risk by implementing solutions that are competitive, cost effective, and aligned with Marriott culture of fair treatment of associates
• Identify gaps in property or market to reduce vulnerabilities and create healthy work environment
• Regional Labor expert
• Present ideas, expectations, and information in a concise way that warrants alignment between multiple levels of key stakeholders.

Managing Execution/Building Relationships

• Employee Engagement consultant & Strategy partner for General Managers at all current and future hotels across the region
• Ensures the communication climate between all hourly and management associates is positive and promotes positive labor/management relations
• Participation in Labor Relations, Labor Council & Associate Relations Calls as directed.
• Fosters and administers labor relations programs, policies, procedures and problem-solving strategies
• Develops labor relations skills for managers by developing and implementing training programs as needed
• Implement and lead deployment strategies within property/market/region
• Responsible for training execution and delivery as needed
• Provide analytical data and reporting on training activities, trends, and needs areas
• Develop and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with regional team members (RVPs, ADHRs, VPs, AVPs) hotel General Managers and executive committee leadership, hotel managers, and corporate partners
• Manage group or interpersonal conflict situations effectively; mediation skills
• Serve as the point person to the ADHRs for their market and labor related issues and/or concerns
• Track information for historical reference and guidance purposes

CANDIDATE PROFILE - KEY TALENTS AND EXPERIENCE DESIRED

Experience and Skills

• 3-5 years progressively responsible Labor Relations experience with at least 2-4 years’ experience working at a senior manager/functional leader with extensive experience in associate relations, problem and conflict resolution.
• Strong Knowledge of Mexican labor law as preferred.
• Prior contract negotiations experience as preferred.
• Strong problem solving/consulting management skills with ability to lead and develop others while driving accountability and responsibility.
• Ability to implement change and offer recommendations even if it isn’t the most popular choice, to avoid and mitigate risk
• Experience with associate relations and ability to quickly build strong relationships with associates across a culturally diverse work environment
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and collaboration skills including strong verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, facilitation skills, and negotiating skills
• Knowledge of compensation, staffing and fair employment practices
• Strong knowledge of employment/labor laws and workforce management
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Effective time management, planning, and organizational skills including demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects/tasks
• Business savvy with ability to develop and maintain long-term success as a business partner with senior leadership and multiple HR teams in a fast-paced, highly diverse, customer focused environment
• Ability to build and lead successful, influential, highly-interactive teams
• Strong project management skills necessary to assist with higher level project work
• Must have a strong comfort level across all leadership levels
• Demonstrated ability to adapt practices and techniques to changing priorities and issues and drive proactive, effective change leadership
• Results oriented with strong customer service skills
• Must be comfortable and up to date on our hotel policies, to include what is going on in our industry, as well as being literate with social media
• Must be available for travel up to 60% of the time

Education or Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in labor relations or equivalent experience and education in Human Resources management
• Graduate Certificate in Labor and Employment Law and continuing HR/Lega/Labor education as available
• Knowledge of written and spoken Spanish language as required

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global​ team, and become the best version of you.