Labor Relations Manager

Labor Relations Manager

The City of Richmond is seeking a strategic and analytical Labor Relations Manager to support labor-management relations and collective bargaining administration.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Human Resources or designee, this position plays a critical role in contract administration, grievance resolution, labor negotiations support, analytics, policy interpretation, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and Virginia public-sector labor laws. The City of Richmond has five (5) recognized bargaining units. This is a high-visibility role requiring sound judgment, discretion, analytical rigor, a proactive approach, and the ability to navigate complex labor environments in a municipal setting

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a closely related field, along with five to seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in labor relations, employee relations, or human resources within a unionized environment. Experience supporting multiple bargaining units is preferred, as is prior supervisory or management experience. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong working knowledge of public-sector labor relations—preferably within the Commonwealth of Virginia—and the ability to interpret and administer complex collective bargaining agreements with precision and sound judgment.

This individual must bring strong analytical capabilities, including experience with financial costing and impact analysis related to labor agreements and personnel matters. Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills are essential, as is the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven and politically sensitive environment. The role requires a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and political awareness, along with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data analysis tools. A master’s degree in Public Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field is preferred, as is experience supporting police, fire, public works, or general government bargaining units. Experience preparing arbitration materials and relevant HR or labor relations certifications (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PSHRA-CP, or PSHRA-SCP) will further distinguish strong candidates.

To Apply

The City of Richmond has partnered with POLIHIRE to identify the Labor Relations Manager. To be considered, please submit a cover letter outlining your experience, and a resume to: RVA_Labor@polihire.com.

 

Overview

Date Posted

February 27, 2026

Salary

Midpoint $120,000

Location

Richmond, VA