Labor Relations Manager

The Position

The Port of Portland is Hiring for a

Labor Relations Manager

We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Labor Relations Manager to lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, organization-wide labor relations strategy. In this pivotal role, you will shape how the Port partners with its represented employees, fostering a workplace grounded in fairness, respect, and collaboration. Your expertise will guide labor policy, drive proactive engagement, and ensure alignment between labor strategies and organizational goals.

You'll serve as a key advisor to leadership, a trusted partner to labor representatives, and a champion for constructive dialogue and resolution. This role requires deep, practical experience in labor relations, including direct involvement in negotiations, contract administration, and issue resolution. You'll be instrumental in building trust, ensuring compliance, and creating sustainable labor solutions that support both operational success and employee well-being.

From the Hiring Manager - Are you ready to be the strategic voice that defines the future of labor-management relations in a high-impact, mission-driven organization? As the Port's Labor Relations Manager, you won't just support labor relations-you'll lead it.

This is your opportunity to :

• Design and implement a Port-wide labor strategy that aligns with our values and long-term goals.
• Lead complex negotiations and resolve high-stakes challenges with confidence and integrity.
• Influence policy and culture, ensuring our labor practices reflect our commitment to equity, collaboration, and operational excellence.

You'll be the go-to expert for leadership, the respected collaborator for labor partners, and the driving force behind a culture where people and performance thrive together. If you're looking for a role where your decisions shape the future and where your voice truly matters, this is where you belong.

Essential Job Duties

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience required for this role.

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.

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

Supplemental and Selection Information

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 the education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources until the role closes on the 29th of October.

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 shortly after the role closes, followed by in-person panel interviews for finalists.

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?

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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 or email .