Employee & Labor Relations Manager at Bouldering Project LLC – Dallas, Texas

About the Company

We cause problems. The good kind.

At Bouldering Project, our mission is to connect people through a love of difficult play. Shoulder to shoulder, the impossible becomes approachable.

Our gyms combine world-class bouldering, yoga, and fitness with welcoming community spaces designed for everyone - from first-time climbers to experienced athletes. Since opening our first gym in 2011, Bouldering Project has grown to 13 locations across the U.S., including Seattle, Austin, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Brooklyn, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Tempe.

Never Static, Forever Evolving, Joyfully Obsessed. That’s Bouldering Project - and the people who choose to build it.

Position Summary

The Employee & Labor Relations Manager helps Bouldering Project navigate the complex and important work of people, policy, and partnership across our gyms and support teams. This role leads the company’s employee and labor relations strategy across all locations, including collective bargaining negotiations, contract administration, grievance resolution, and compliance in our unionized location, while also driving proactive employee relations practices across our non-union gyms and support teams.

We are looking for a hands-on labor relations professional who has served as a primary employer-side negotiator and is comfortable leading the collective bargaining process while also supporting the broader employee relations work that comes with a growing, multi-location organization. This leader will serve as the company’s point person on union matters and partner closely with external labor counsel when needed.

Given our multi-state footprint and growing team, this role will also oversee workplace investigations and help build a thoughtful, multi-state labor and employment compliance framework. The position works closely with gym leadership, support team leaders, and the People team to address challenges early, support our teams, and ensure employment practices remain consistent, fair, and legally sound.

This role is remote, with a preference for candidates located in Texas or Minnesota, ideally in the Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, or Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro areas. The role requires periodic travel to Bouldering Project locations nationwide for gym visits, leadership collaboration, and participation in collective bargaining sessions.

What You'll Do

• Develop and implement proactive employee relations strategies to support all locations
• Lead collective bargaining negotiations and administer union contracts where applicable
• Manage grievances, arbitrations, and labor disputes to resolution
• Serve as primary liaison with union representatives and external counsel
• Develop training materials and deliver training to managers on lawful communication practices, early issue identification, and positive employee engagement
• Lead and oversee workplace investigations including allegations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour concerns, and policy violations; ensure timely, thorough, and well-documented outcomes
• Develop and maintain a multi-state labor and employment compliance framework, ensuring policies and practices align with federal, state, and local requirements
• Monitor workplace trends and partner with leadership to address employee concerns before they escalate
• Advise senior leadership on risk, compliance exposure, and workforce strategy aligned with company growth objectives

Required Qualifications

• Employee and Labor Relations Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading and developing employee and labor relations strategies in complex, multi-location organizations.
• Lead Negotiator Experience: Served as the primary negotiator (Chief Spokesperson) in at least one full collective bargaining cycle on the employer side.
• Collective Bargaining Depth: Direct experience preparing bargaining strategy, developing proposals, and managing the full negotiation process through ratification.
• Multi-State Experience: Knowledge of employee and labor laws across multiple states.
• Investigation Expertise: Proven experience leading sensitive, high-level investigations and defending findings if challenged.
• Bilingual in "Corporate" and "Culture": Ability to navigate legal terminology while communicating in a way that resonates with our gym-based teams.
• Strategic Autonomy: 3+ years of experience in employee and labor relations, with a track record of operating independently in high-growth environments.

Working at Bouldering Project

At Bouldering Project, we aim to cultivate excitement for movement, belonging, and community. We lead by example—making our spaces and offerings accessible and welcoming to all. Our core values—Inclusive, Quality-Obsessed, Local at the Core, and Growth-Oriented—are expected to be demonstrated in both leadership and daily operations. These values guide how we build community, deliver exceptional experiences, and continually evolve together.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a full-time position. Compensation is based on experience and local market benchmarks. Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits and perks:
• Free Bouldering Project membership for you and a plus one
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• A joyful, supportive, and respectful work culture
• Discounts in our in-gym retail shops
• Pro deals on 200+ gear and merchandise retailers