Director, Labor Relations - PetSmart

Our Human Resources team defies all conventional expectations and is a business-connected solutions provider. The work we do directly aligns with the company’s core areas of focus, and we ensure that associates and leaders are ready to support those strategic objectives.  Our HR team is comprised of different departments, including Talent Acquisition, HR business partners, Learning & Development, Compensation & Benefits, and Shared Services. We enable meaningful careers for all and build our Associate Workplace Experience!

Hybrid Position:

This position is located in Phoenix, Arizona at PetSmart's corporate office and may be considered Hybrid based on PetSmart’s FlexSmart policy and business needs. A Hybrid work arrangement is considered to be a blend of onsite and remote work activity. Associates with a Hybrid work arrangement have a work space at Phoenix Home Office and can be required to come onsite between 1-5 days a week as determined by leadership and based on business needs.

Overview:

The Director, Labor Relations will lead and manage the company’s labor relations strategy, helping the organization prevent and respond to concerns that detract from a positive workplace environment, including unionization. Through direct oversight of the Labor Relations Team, this position leads PetSmart’s labor function by establishing and maintaining positive labor relations, running campaigns when requests for representation are received, resolving disputes, and maintaining compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Owns Labor Relations strategy for PetSmart.
• Leads team of Labor Relations Managers that provide consultative labor support for all stores, field leadership, home office, and distribution centers, including on-site visits to assess and de-escalate issues.
• Provides guidance to leaders and Human Resources regarding labor relations matters, ensuring appropriate business partners are consulted, and final resolutions are aligned with company policies and mitigate risk.
• Facilitate campaigns after a request for representation is received. Design campaign strategy, including Rapid Response Team, Communications, persuasion, and legal strategies in partnership with Managing Attorney and Communications team.
• Creates and maintains collective bargaining strategy, including negotiating new agreements, representing PetSmart during bargaining sessions, providing expert counsel and training regarding the administration of agreements, managing effective resolution of grievances and other conflicts of the agreement, and facilitating agreement expiry/renewal.
• Provides investigatory support regarding escalated and high-risk labor relations issues. Leads complex and impartial investigations, including compliance investigations regarding ULPs.
• Partners with Associate Relations to organize and help facilitate Labor Relations training strategies to regularly train leaders, HRBPs, and Rapid Response Team on topics such as on effective leadership practices, labor law compliance, third-party representation awareness, and rapid response techniques.
• Organizes the Incident Response Team (IRT) and Rapid Response Team (RRT) programs, including ensuring the team is comprised of right leaders across the enterprise; designs and implements program guidelines, operational response plans, and communication avenues. Partners with Associate Relations to provide quarterly updates and awareness sessions.
• Owns and updates catalogue of ongoing positive associate work experience actions, assessment, and preparedness, continually conducting gap analysis and creating a prioritized roadmap of future efforts.
• Maintains current knowledge of employee and labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes; synthesizes impact to current programs or policies.
• Utilizes reporting and listening tools to assess ongoing risk and vulnerability and identify and help solve root-cause issues.
• Consults and influences comprehensive Human Resources policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Maintains trusted partnerships with store, DC, and offices HR and business leaders.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of labor relations principles, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to compile, research, and analyze complex information, and present findings in a compelling and digestible format for all levels in the organization.
• Travel required up to 50%.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Labor/Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Business, Public Administration, or related field.
• At least 7 years of related experience in Human Resources, labor relations, or associate engagement in a union environment
• Demonstrated successful record as chair in the collective bargaining process, grievance and arbitration process, positive employee relations, and labor-management relations.
• Combination of relevant experience and education permissible

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share.  These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• On-site Dog Park
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• On-site coffee bar
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
• If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area:  Welcome to Phoenix Guide

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.