Senior Director, People and Labor Relations

We are seeking a Senior Director, People and Labor Relations to design, build, and lead the labor relations function for a large, complex, and rapidly growing healthcare organization. This highly strategic and hands-on leadership role requires a seasoned labor relations professional with demonstrated experience building labor relations infrastructure at scale—encompassing long-term strategy, operating models, leader education, union engagement cadence, and durable labor partnerships.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in unionized healthcare or skilled nursing environments and operates effectively across frontline, regional, and executive levels. Recognized for sound judgment, disciplined execution, and collaborative leadership, this individual will serve as the organization’s principal strategist and thought leader on labor relations. They will partner across HR, Legal, Compliance, and Operations to define and drive an enterprise-wide, long-term labor relations strategy that supports PACS’ locally led, centrally supported model.

Key Responsibilities

Build and Operationalize the Labor Relations Function

• Design and implement the end-to-end labor relations operating model, including governance structures, escalation frameworks, playbooks, and reporting mechanisms.

• Establish consistent, scalable labor relations practices across a multi-site, partially unionized enterprise.

• Create leader-ready tools, templates, and resources that support rigor, predictability, and transparency.

• Develop dashboards, trend reviews, and risk reporting to enhance visibility for executives and local leaders.

• Develop and embed a long-term labor relations philosophy to guide consistent, durable decision-making.

Labor Strategy & Union Engagement

• Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert on labor relations strategy, bargaining, grievance administration, arbitration, and labor‑management relations.

• Own the organization’s short- and long-term labor relations strategy to support workforce stability, compliance, and operational continuity.

• Provide thought leadership shaping PACS’ overarching labor strategy with a forward-looking, proactive approach.

• Lead and strengthen PACS’ cadence with Labor Management Committees (LMCs) to enhance partnership and early issue resolution.

• Build strong, accountable relationships with union leadership based on transparency and trust.

• Lead or oversee bargaining preparation and execution including costing, proposal strategy, and leader alignment.

Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership

• Partner with HR, Legal, Compliance, and Operations to provide coordinated, risk-adjusted labor guidance.

• Advise and coach executives, HR partners, and operational leaders on union matters and daily labor dynamics.

• Translate complex labor issues into clear, actionable insights and recommendations for senior leadership.

• Drive alignment across stakeholders in a matrixed environment.

• Communicate updates, risks, and implications consistently and timely.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Identify patterns, trends, and systemic labor issues; recommend proactive strategies to reduce risk.

• Lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen organizational labor readiness and resilience.

• Oversee external labor counsel, mediators, and arbitrators to ensure consistency and alignment.

• Maintain deep knowledge of evolving labor laws, regulatory requirements, and union strategies.

• Lead efforts to influence labor legislation in California and other states to support long-term organizational health.

Leadership Development & Education

• Design and deliver scalable labor relations training programs for leaders and HR partners.

• Build organizational fluency in union interactions, CBAs, investigatory processes, and labor best practices.

• Reinforce leader routines that strengthen labor and employee relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or J.D. strongly preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive labor relations experience in unionized environments.

• Experience building or transforming a labor relations function at scale, ideally in a healthcare environment.

• Track record leading complex bargaining, grievances, and arbitration.

• Strong executive presence, judgment, and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in large, geographically distributed org