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.

• In collaboration with senior leadership, develops, implements, and directs the Port’s labor relations strategic plan and program. Leads and manages the labor relations strategy, aligning with Port's strategic objectives, business and work plans, and regulatory requirements.
• Serves as the Port’s chief spokesperson for contract negotiations for collective bargaining agreements. Develops positions, proposals, and strategies in collective bargaining activities and negotiates labor agreements. Prepares Memorandums of Agreement, Understanding, and Exception, along with Supplemental Agreements.
• Facilitates labor management meetings, research issues brought forward and prepares the Port’s response. Maintains current knowledge of labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes. Conducts research necessary to support contract negotiations. Uses appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts consistent with the Port’s mission, vision, and values. Develops, facilitates, and maintains cooperative working relationships with employee representative organizations, Port leadership, and department managers, including coordination of joint labor-management committees. Exercises professional leadership in promoting good employee/management relations.
• Full position description with all other aspects of the scope of the role is available.

Education and Experience required for this role.

• Experience: 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Labor Relations
  1. 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.
  2. To include at least 3+ years of people management experience.
  3. *Highly Desired* demonstrated experience with creating and maintaining organization-wide Labor Strategy tied into key business goals and initiatives.
• License and/or Certification: (Preferred, not required) Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
• Education: Master's/bachelor’s degree in labor relations, Human Resources, Business, the social sciences, or related field. Experience may be substituted for the educational qualifications.

Demonstrated Skills & Abilities

• Labor relations principles and practices, including contract administration and interpretation, collective bargaining, legislation, court decisions, ERB decisions, regulations, and standards regarding collective bargaining and labor relations activities.
• National Labor Relations Act, the National Labor Relations Board, Oregon’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act, the Oregon Employment Relations Board, and state and federal employment laws; labor laws, administrative rulings, relevant court decisions, labor relations trends, PERS rules and regulations.
• Interpreting, explaining, and applying collective bargaining contract language, administrative rules, processes, procedures, and federal, state, and local rulings and policies.
• Make presentations to and/or facilitate sometimes large and challenging groups, bring stakeholders with diverse viewpoints to consensus and influence others, and develop coalitions.
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to document processes
• Shows the utmost respect for others and is a proven team player

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.

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 in a timely manner.