Labor Relations Manager presso Port of Portland, OR

About the Department

The Port of Portland is Hiring for a

Labor Relations Manager

We are looking for a Labor Relations Manager who fosters a fair, respectful, and collaborative workplace by strengthening relationships between the Port and its represented employees. This role provides leadership and expertise on labor relations strategies, policies, and practices that support both organizational goals and employee success. By guiding constructive dialogue, facilitating the resolution of workplace issues, and ensuring ethical and legal compliance, the Labor Relations Manager helps create a positive environment. The position also represents management in negotiations, interpretation, and administration of collective bargaining agreements, building trust and partnership with labor representatives to achieve shared outcomes.

From the Hiring Manager - Are you ready to be the strategic voice that shapes the future of labor–management relations in a high-impact, mission-driven organization? As the Port’s Labor Relations Manager, you’ll step into a pivotal role where your expertise will drive meaningful change. You’ll lead impactful negotiations, resolve complex challenges, and influence policies that directly impact the employee experience. You’ll be the trusted advisor to leadership, the respected partner to labor representatives, and the catalyst for a culture of collaboration and respect. Here, your work won’t just check a box—it will set the tone for how we work together, grow together, and succeed together. If you’re looking for a role where the decisions you make shape the Port’s future—and where your voice truly matters—this is where you belong.

Position Duties

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.
• 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 

Other Qualifications

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 education, training, and experience of submitted application packets will take place by Human Resources until the role closes on the 17th. 

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 by the week of September 22, 2025. Panel Interviews will be held the week of  October 6th, 2025.