DescriptionEFFECTIVE DATE: September 2026
FLSA: Exempt
JOB TITLE: Labor & Employee Relations Manager
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
REPORTS TO: Chief Human Resources Officer
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is seeking an experienced Labor & Employee Relations Manager to join its Human Resources leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, this position will lead the day-to-day administration of MATA's labor and employee relations function and serve as a trusted advisor to leaders across the organization.
The ideal candidate brings significant experience working in a unionized environment, strong knowledge of collective bargaining agreement administration, and demonstrated expertise in workplace investigations and complex employee relations matters. This role requires someone who can navigate challenging workplace issues with sound judgment, credibility, objectivity, and professionalism while building productive relationships with leaders, employees, and union representatives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements and advise management regarding contract provisions, past practices, work rules, and labor relations matters.
• Serve as a primary Human Resources liaison with union representatives and help foster effective labor-management relationships.
• Manage the grievance process, including investigation, research, preparation of management responses, grievance meetings, and monitoring contractual timelines.
• Serve as a key member of MATA's collective bargaining team and support preparation for and conduct of labor negotiations, including research, data analysis, proposal development, bargaining documentation, and preparation of management proposals and counterproposals.
• Coordinate labor-management meetings and ensure appropriate preparation, documentation, and follow-up.
• Lead timely, thorough, objective, and well-documented workplace investigations involving bargaining-unit and non-bargaining-unit employees.
• Advise managers and supervisors regarding employee relations matters, disciplinary actions, workplace conduct, attendance, policy interpretation, and appropriate documentation.
• Review significant disciplinary and employment actions for consistency with collective bargaining agreements, organizational policies, established practices, and principles of progressive discipline.
• Coach and train leaders on labor and employee relations practices, grievance handling, investigations, documentation, progressive discipline, and contract administration.
• Maintain effective case management processes and analyze grievances, investigations, disciplinary actions, and other labor and employee relations activity to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with the CHRO, Legal, Compliance, Operations, and other stakeholders on complex or high-risk labor and employee relations matters.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field required. A combination of relevant education and substantial directly related experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible Human Resources, employee relations, and/or labor relations experience.
- Significant experience working in a unionized environment and administering collective bargaining agreements is required.
- Demonstrated experience handling grievances, employee discipline, workplace investigations, and complex employee relations matters is required.
- Strong knowledge of labor and employment laws and employee relations practices.
- Strong investigative, analytical, written and verbal communication, conflict management, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and complex matters with confidentiality, professionalism, objectivity, and sound judgment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience participating in or directly supporting collective bargaining negotiations.
- Experience in public transportation, the public sector, government, or another highly regulated and unionized environment is preferred.
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or other Human Resources or labor relations certification preferred.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a collaborative, experienced labor and employee relations professional who can balance strong relationships with accountability, approach complex issues objectively, and provide leaders with practical and credible guidance. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a dynamic environment, managing multiple priorities, and helping strengthen labor and employee relations practices across the organization.
