Job Title: Senior Labor Relations Consultant

Location: Columbus, OH

Hybrid Schedule: Onsite Tuesday - Thursday

Job Summary
The Senior Consultant helps administer and enforce collective bargaining agreements ("CBAs") between unions, employees and management. Common tasks include grievance handling, conducting fact finding investigations in accordance with CBAs, facilitating discussions between union leaders and management, drafting agreements and participating in negotiations. In addition, provides execution support for Labor Relations and Positive Employee Relations strategies. The incumbent partners with other groups to design appropriate interventions such as metrics, dashboards, risk assessment templates and manager training programs.

Essential Functions
Labor Relations Execution -
• Conducts fact finding investigations in accordance with CBAs in order to comply with just cause standards and sustain corrective action issued
• Provides support and counsel to management when responding to grievances
• Manages and facilitates grievance hearings and ensures management is prepared
• Assists in preparation of arbitrations and serves as company witness when requested
• Researches and drafts agreements (e.g. MOA, MOU) at departmental and employee level to address issues which may arise outside of formal CBA negotiations
• Mediates disputes between management, union leaders and employees
• Develops and maintains a constructive relationship with union leaders in order to build a foundation of trust for negotiating and resolving matters
• Provides management with day-to-day contract interpretation assistance of CBA provisions
• Supports implementation of labor relations strategies
• Participates in the company labor negotiations process to achieve desired outcomes, and effectuate bargaining strategies that enable business objectives

Positive Employee Relations-

• Advocates for employee’s rights when appropriate in order to foster positive employee engagement and work environment

• Supports key labor strategies and tactics, including union avoidance, and union campaign strategy and management

• Builds and maintains an employee and labor relations scorecard to reveal trends, progress and issues
• Partners with talent management function to design and deliver management training interventions

Leader Development & Enablement -
• Advises and coaches leaders on the latest labor and employee relations trends that could positively or negatively impact the Company
• Provides strategic counsel to leaders in administering collective bargaining agreements and labor relation policies/practices that are in compliance with federal /state laws and Company policies/practices
• Provides labor consultation to various supporting departments on matters impacting collective bargaining agreements and represented workforce

Required Qualifications For Position

• Bachelor's Degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Business Administration OR 4-6 years of related job experience
• Working knowledge of employment laws and experience dealing with legal issues involving EEOC, DOL, NLRB and other related concerns
• Ability to effectively and professionally communicate – both verbally and in writing
• Ability to quickly and effectively establish rapport with all levels of leadership
• Excellent judgment, critical thinking skills, and analytical ability
• Ability to balance working both autonomously day-to-day, and also collaboratively within a team environment and with other departments overall
• Ability to think creatively and proactively in identifying potential issues and resolving known issues
• Ability to navigate complex cases and high case volume
• Desire to continuously learn and stay up-to-date on employee related trends, issues and concerns
• Ability to discern issues that need to be escalated

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position

• Bachelor's Degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Business Administration
• Previous experience and knowledge of wholistic HR functions or COEs

Physical Demands

• This role covers bargaining units in OH & KY territory. Travel expectations for labor management meetings and grievances (monthly/quarterly) or for employee investigations meetings which may be virtual or onsite. General hybrid model, but will flex since can be in office a lot of the time or field (approximately 50% travel is expected)

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

As a public utility, NiSource is required to provide continuous service to customers at all times. To ensure we fulfill that obligation, employees may be required to work outside their normal work hours and perform tasks outside of their normal responsibilities in support of emergency operations.

Work Authorization

Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Workplace Connection
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect the unique lived experiences within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represents all walks of life and all backgrounds.​

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity 
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities. 

ADA Accommodations

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at [email protected] or 1-888-640-3320

E-Verify

NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program. As part of this process, we provide the following notices to all job applicants: These documents inform you of your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law. You can view or download them using the links below:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) E-Verify Participation Poster English and Spanish
• Right to Work Poster (English and Spanish) If you have the right to work, don't let anyone take it away

Salary Range*:

*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.

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Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.