CHI Franciscan Health is seeking an experienced labor relations leader to serve in a new position with our organization – Director of Labor Relations. This individual will oversee labor relations in a highly matrixed organization that includes union and non-union work sites. CHI Franciscan Health is comprised of 8 acute care hospitals, over 100 clinic locations and other healthcare services. We employee 12,000 people throughout the South Puget Sound and have 23 labor contracts. This position will be based in Tacoma, Washington.

We Offer:

  • A highly collegial and values-based culture
  • The opportunity to be part of a healthy and growing health care system with the resources that come with being part of a system and our parent company, Catholic Health Initiatives
  • The opportunity to work with individuals across the organization, including a team of HR professionals
  • Highly competitive base salary plus a very generous and comprehensive employee benefits Program.

Essential Job Functions:

Plans, strategizes, and leads the negotiating team in advance and "at the table" to ensure the interests of CHI Franciscan Health are appropriately represented for all contract negotiations.

  • Confers with site-based stakeholders and SVP-Human Resources to develop negotiation strategies, the bargaining cycle and bargaining positions/proposals while maintaining region-wide standards; participates in closed sessions with Senior Leadership regarding labor negotiations.
  • Serves as management representative and/or principal Franciscan spokesperson for collective bargaining activities and may serve as Chief Negotiator.
  • Collects and interprets cost or budget impact information relating to salary or benefit proposals; develops alternative proposals and strategies during collective bargaining activities.
  • Analyzes union proposals and collective bargaining agreements to ensure compliance federal and state laws; drafts new/revised contract language in line with CHIFH needs and organizational parity standards.
  • Works to minimize the risk of operational disruption; anticipates potential issues or labor disputes and ability to address with appropriate mitigation plans to minimize negative impact to operations.
  • Develops and maintains effective relationships with bargaining unit/union leaders/representatives

Leads and supports regional Human Resource colleagues in developing and implementing proactive and integrated labor/employee relations approach across CHI Franciscan Health, providing early issue identification and mitigation processes, and creating a consistent approach to positive employee relations across Franciscan facilities.

  • Assesses and coordinates with HR and facility leaders in the development of action plans to proactively address locations vulnerable to employee engagement issues, union organizing, social compliance, and contract labor.

Reviews, researches, and evaluates risk, prepares solutions and responds to grievance/arbitration matters, as required.

  • Conducts fact finding investigation activities related to labor relations inquiries and concerns and, in collaboration with site-based HR leader, prescribes appropriate actions, as required.
  • Oversees the compilation, preparation, and analysis of data for use in union negotiations, mediation and related activities; working closely with management, formulates responses relating to unfair labor practice charges and other legal proceedings.

Consults with, and provides advice to, departmental management and supervisors on matters pertaining to employer-employee relations.

  • Responds to inquiries from HR partners on day-to-day union contract administration matters.

Develops policies to guide CHIFH-wide labor and employee relations activities; prepares and recommends policy statements or revisions; and provides expertise for specific projects and organization-wide task force studies on labor relations matters.

  • Identifies relevant metrics and prepares reports on labor relations matters.
  • Provides advanced professional consultation and support to leadership and HR management on complex issues and programs; may consult legal counsel as needed.

Develops communications and training materials for managers/employees with regard to collective bargaining and labor relations activities.

  • Participates in the development of communication strategies to promote employer-employee understanding of the purposes, policies and programs relating to collective bargaining and contract administration.
  • Provides management with periodic updates related to negotiation progress and status.
  • Prepares and delivers relevant management training as necessary.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

Education/Work Experience Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources/Organizational Management, Industrial/Labor Relations, Labor Studies, Law, Political Science, Industrial and Organizational Psychology or other closely related field and eight years of directly applicable work experience that would demonstrate attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities. Work experience in unionized, healthcare setting is strongly preferred. Juris Doctorate degree is preferred.

Master’s degree in a directly-related discipline may be substituted for two years of the work experience requirement.

Job Knowledge/Abilities:

  • Knowledge of the principles, professional standards and practices relating to contract administration and negotiation, collective bargaining, arbitration and grievance processes.
  • Knowledge of local, state and federal (e.g. NLRB, NLRA, State Labor Code, FLSA, etc) regulations and legal requirements/precedents pertaining to matters within designated scope of authority.
  • Knowledge of the general principles, practices, and trends relating to Human Resources and labor-management relations.
  • Knowledge of research and data collection techniques; communication techniques for gathering, evaluating, and transmitting information.
  • Knowledge of current trends/patterns in contract negotiations and arbitration decisions.
  • Knowledge of, and ability to use strong problem-solving skills combined with a strong service orientation.
  • Ability to demonstrate effective performance in areas such as: labor contract negotiation, preparation of labor agreements, mediation, resolution of grievances relating to labor agreements, etc.
  • Ability to build strong professional relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and to effectively influence change.
  • Ability to use critical thinking and effective verbal and written communication skills to facilitate difficult discussions and reach positive resolution.
  • Ability to keep abreast of trends, current developments and regulatory requirements impacting matters within designated scope of authority.
  • Ability to recommend and implement effective collective bargaining strategies, tactics and proposals.
  • Ability to address large groups clearly and concisely; and work cooperatively and maintain control when meeting with organizations, sometimes under significant emotional pressure and after long hours of negotiations.
  • Ability to analyze, interpret and apply contract provisions and appropriate laws, rules, regulations, memoranda of understanding, policies, procedures, and instructions.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and conduct research, and investigatory and statistical work.
  • Ability to read, understand and communicate in English sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
  • Ability to use office equipment and automated systems/applications/software at an acceptable level.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as required by the duties of the position.

Licensure/Certification:

SPHR Certification preferred.

To Apply:

Please apply on-line at and click on “Careers”

Select “All Franciscan Health Positions”

Enter the Requisition Number: 1400031404

Click on the Job Title and then just follow the prompts to upload your resume, complete the employment application and complete our candidate assessment. The assessment has some fun “thinking questions,” so we suggest you take it in a quiet space, allow about 45 minutes, and have scratch paper, pen and caffeine available.

CHI Franciscan Health is proud to be an EEO/AA/M/F/VETS/DISABLED employer. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance with the application process are invited to call us at (253) 426-6288.