Job SummaryThe Vice President, Human Capital | Employee & Labor Relations Americas is a senior Human Capital leader responsible for developing and executing employee and labor relations strategies that support operational excellence, workforce engagement, and business growth across the United States, Canada, and South America. Serving as a key advisor to executive leadership, this role provides strategic oversight of employee relations, labor relations, workforce governance, compliance, organizational effectiveness, and change management within a complex, highly regulated operating environment.
Leading a team of HR Directors and Managers, the Vice President drives consistent and scalable workforce practices across the region, overseeing labor negotiations, workplace investigations, employee relations programs, and compliance initiatives. This role partners closely with business leaders to address workforce challenges, mitigate risk, support organizational transformation, and strengthen leadership effectiveness while fostering a culture of accountability, respect, engagement, and high performance.
The ideal candidate is a strategic and influential leader with deep expertise in labor and employee relations, particularly within unionized and operationally intensive environments. They bring a proven ability to lead through change, influence senior stakeholders, and develop proactive workforce strategies that enhance employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and long-term business success.
Responsibilities- Lead and develop a high-performing team of HR Directors and Managers across the Americas, driving organizational capability, succession readiness, and employee growth.
- Partner with executive and operational leadership to align workforce, employee relations, and labor strategies with business objectives and growth plans.
- Establish performance standards, accountability measures, governance frameworks, and scalable HR processes across a geographically diverse workforce.
- Serve as the senior advisor on complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, accommodations, performance management, and employment decisions.
- Lead enterprise-wide employee relations programs, ensuring consistent application of policies, fair workplace practices, and organizational trust.
- Identify workforce risks and emerging trends using data and analytics to drive proactive solutions and strategic decision-making.
- Oversee workplace investigations, grievance management, conflict resolution, and dispute mitigation while ensuring legal and procedural compliance.
- Develop and execute labor relations strategies across the United States, Canada, and South America to support operational objectives.
- Serve as the lead strategist and chief negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, union relationships, arbitration proceedings, and contract administration.
- Provide executive guidance on labor risks, workforce disruptions, bargaining trends, labor market conditions, and labor readiness initiatives.
- Leverage workforce analytics to monitor engagement, turnover, absenteeism, grievances, and other key metrics, providing actionable recommendations to improve performance and retention.
- Ensure enterprise-wide compliance with employment and labor laws, leave of absence programs, FAA and regulatory requirements, workplace policies, and risk management practices in partnership with Legal and Compliance teams.
Minimum Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 12+ years of progressive Human Resources and Labor Relations leadership experience, including at least 7 years in a senior leadership role with enterprise accountability.
- Demonstrated success leading employee and labor relations functions within aviation, cargo logistics, transportation, supply chain, ground handling, manufacturing, or similarly complex unionized environments.
- Proven experience serving as lead negotiator during collective bargaining negotiations and managing multi-site grievance, mediation, and arbitration processes.
- Extensive experience leading workplace investigations and advising executive leadership on sensitive, high-risk employee matters.
- Strong expertise in organizational change management and workforce transformation.
- Comprehensive knowledge of employment laws and labor regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
- Exceptional executive presence, business acumen, stakeholder influence, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to travel up to 35% based on business needs.
Preferred Skills- Master's degree, MBA, MSHR, J.D., or equivalent advanced degree.
- Significant experience supporting multinational operations throughout the United States, Canada, and South America.
- Deep knowledge of Canadian federal and provincial labor laws and broader Latin American labor frameworks.
- Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred.
- French or Canadian French language proficiency is a plus.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions- Primarily works in a professional office environment with frequent use of computers, video conferencing, and other communication technologies.
- Regular travel (up to 35%) throughout the United States, Canada, and South America to support operational locations, leadership meetings, labor negotiations, investigations, and workforce initiatives.
- Ability to visit and navigate airport cargo facilities, warehouses, ramp operations, and other industrial work environments, including exposure to varying weather conditions, noise levels, and operational activity.
- May be required to work outside standard business hours to support labor negotiations, critical employee relations matters, investigations, organizational changes, or business needs across multiple time zones.
- Ability to participate in extended meetings, negotiations, presentations, and investigations requiring prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and document review.
- Must possess the visual and auditory capability necessary to conduct interviews, facilitate discussions, evaluate workplace environments, and review detailed reports and documentation.
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry business materials, laptop equipment, and presentation materials up to 25 pounds.
- Must be able to maintain a consistent on-site leadership presence while balancing travel requirements and executive-level responsibilities in a fast-paced, operationally intensive environment.
Perks & Benefits- Want your pay in advance? Access your pay when you need it through the DailyPay app!
- Are you a top performer who thrives on recognition? On the spot awards offered through the Awardco Platform including gift cards and more!
- Need quality medical care? Multiple options for both full and part-time employees!
- Want WFS Employee Extras? Travel discounts, pet insurance, discount shopping & more!
- Looking to stay healthy and improve your life? Wellness programs offered to all employees!
- Want to invest in your future? 401k program offered!
- Looking to grow and have a career with us? Opportunity for internal mobility and transfers available!
