Labor Relations Business Partner
American Water

Job Info

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Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water's 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Indexfor the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Location Information

The selected candidate must be within commutable distance to one of our American Water offices: https://www.amwater.com/corp/About-Us/our-states-subsidaries.

Primary Role

To optimize business performance by focusing on labor relations in the designated area, ensuring compliance to State and Federal laws, regulatory agencies, company policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Serve as the chief spokesperson (first chair) in labor contract negotiations as part of the management negotiations team. Responsible for all collective bargaining agreement administration, interpretation, application, and negotiation in designated area.

Key Accountabilities

• Prepare for labor negotiations, contract administration, contract language interpretation, application, and grievance procedures as well as participate in arbitrations, litigations, grievance meetings and hearings. Serve as the chief spokesperson (first chair) in labor contract negotiations as part of the management negotiations team. Ensure compliance with various State and Federal laws and/or agencies throughout a diverse region; guiding business managers to proactively identify and navigate risks.
• Manage the collective bargaining process; develop contract language and assess impact of scenarios for designated area of responsibility. Participate in contract negotiations for all contracts in designated area.
• Provide consistent labor relations information and advice to local management and other HR professionals as required. Develop positive, constructive Union/Management relationships. Assist with Corporate Governance activities as directed. Provide expert advice and guidance in support of business development projects (due diligence; labor/employee relations; inputs on bids; integration, etc.) including Union Awareness requirements (if needed).
• Act as primary contact for all labor relations in designated area of responsibility focusing on Collective Bargaining Agreement administration, interpretation, application, and negotiation.
• Work within AW Labor Relations Strategies to implement practices, policies and programs that cultivate positive relationships in the Union/Non-Union and Management Workforce. Support and develop training programs and other development initiatives which drive and facilitate our success. Contribute to effective communication by listening and providing constructive feedback; supporting the creation of an open and honest work environment; cascading and sharing knowledge and information relevant to other members of the team and colleagues across the business.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to effectively provide expertise with HR issues at all levels of the organization.
• Strong management skills which include planning, organization, team building, strategic focus, influencing, and people development.
• Proven track record of supporting change programs and partnering with business managers.
• Ability to communicate effectively and with all levels within and outside the organization.
• Extensive knowledge of all Human Resources areas including employment law, labor laws, EEO, ERISA, and other compliance mandates.
  

Experience/Education

• 8 - 10 years Labor relations experience with a union workforce and Labor contract negotiations.
• Experience with arbitrations and mediations. Demonstrated experience as the chief spokesperson (first chair) in labor contract negotiations.
• Experience with all varieties of HR issues with a tactical, hands-on approach.
• PHR/SPHR desirable.
• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or related field preferred.
• Masters Degree Desirable.
  

Work Environment

• Professional Office Environment.
• Hybrid working schedule.

Competencies

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives Results

Collaborates

Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Nearest Major Market: St Louis

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