SVP, Labor Relations

Description: Job Summary:

The role of SVP, Labor Relations at Kaiser Permanente is a critical, high-exposure opportunity, during a time of unprecedented transformation and change in a complex, large-scale environment. Kaiser Permanente is an organization driven by its people and with a history and future deeply connected to organized labor with 179,689 union representatives, 70 contracts, and 81 bargaining units. Additionally, the majority of the individual unions have formed into two large consortiums, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions and the Alliance of Healthcare Unions. Currently, both of these groups engage with Kaiser Permanente through the Labor Management Partnership (LMP), a formal partnership agreement enabling labor and management to engage collaboratively and productively on issues and challenges. Due to recent history, an evolving workforce, and trends in labor law, the SVP, Labor Relations will play a key role in modernizing the way Kaiser Permanente engages with leaders of the LMP and other local unions, in alignment with enterprise objectives and dedication to all unionized employees.

Reporting to Greg Holmes, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, the SVP, Labor Relations, will lead all labor relations for Kaiser Permanente including the enterprise-wide Labor Relations team, development and execution of a multi-year strategy, operations, day to day management and negotiations. This role also leads and oversees the management segment of the LMP, providing a large opportunity to shape labor policy and engagement across all of Kaiser Permanente. This role will partner with the CEO, CHRO, Board of Directors and other organizational leaders to determine which policies and positions best align with the goals of both the organization and its unionized workforce.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Work with senior leaders within Kaiser Permanente, including the CEO, CHRO and others, to develop and launch the multi-year Labor Relations strategy and initiatives, while managing the complexity and scale of Kaiser Permanente.


• Establish deep relationships and personal credibility with senior labor leaders.


• Manage partnerships with Kaiser Permanente's labor groups, negotiating national and local agreements and contracts, ensuring alignment across all stakeholder groups; recognize the importance and organizational impact of both national and local negotiations.


• Serve as the senior management representative in the Labor Management Partnership; develop and implement an overarching strategy to maximize the impact and benefit of the LMP.


• Manage disputes and labor grievances, both proactively and reactively, to ensure effective working relationships between the organization and its unionized workforce.


• During a critical event, serve as a key advisor to organizational leadership while working to resolve any situations quickly, effectively and equitably.


• Build relationships with leadership teams across the organization, serving as a thought partner and coach on how to proactively avoid disputes through the development of a healthy, engaged workforce and culture.


• Lead enterprise-wide Labor Relations team consisting of both national and regional teams.


• Ensure alignment and close coordination between regional and enterprise-level teams, strategies and goals.


• Enable team success through effective communication, clear goal setting and direction, elevated engagement and development opportunities.


• Ensure organizational compliance with all local, state and federal requirements.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.

Additional Requirements:

• Proactive and strategic labor relations subject matter expert.


• The ability to establish credibility and influence across a complex organization with competing priorities and a diverse group of stakeholders.


• Strong business acumen and consultative mindset with the ability to effectively connect labor relations strategy to enterprise goals.


• Ability to take a holistic view of the local and national landscape and "see around corners."


• Strong people leader and developer with the ability to transform, upskill/reskill and build out the Labor Relations function.


• Ability to successfully navigate the unique partnership arrangement; understanding the need to be solutions-oriented and support the unions while also finding ways to modernize and improve the partnership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degrees, such as Juris Doctorate, are strongly preferred.

Primary Location: California,Oakland,Ordway
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
Shift: Day
Workdays: M-F
Working Hours Start: 08:00 AM
Working Hours End: 05:00 PM
Job Schedule: Full-time
Job Type: Standard
Worker Location: Remote
Employee Status: Regular
Employee Group/Union Affiliation: NUE Executives|NUE|Non Union Employee
Job Level: Executive/VP
Department: Po/Ho Corp - PO HR-National-Executive - 0308
Pay Range: $369000 - $461250 / year
Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Remote: Work location is the remote workplace (from home) within KP authorized states. Worker location must align with Kaiser Permanente's Authorized States policy. At Kaiser Permanente, equity, inclusion and diversity are inextricably linked to our mission, and we aim to make it a part of everything we do. We know that having a diverse and inclusive workforce makes Kaiser Permanente a better place to receive health care, a more supportive partner in our communities we serve, and a more fulfilling place to work. Working at Kaiser Permanente means that you agree to and abide by our commitment to equity and our expectation that we all work together to create an inclusive work environment focused on a sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other protected status. Submit Interest

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