Manager, Employee & Labor Relations

About Us:

We are building a championship organization that serves our fans, community, and business partners through world-class sports and entertainment. We believe that Winning Matters, our Fans Come First, with Risk Comes Reward, Great Teams Can Achieve Unimaginable Results, Honoring the Pacific Northwest is Our Duty, and Driving the Business is Our Responsibility.

Climate Pledge Arena, located at Seattle Center, is the complete redevelopment of an historic landmark, originally built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. The arena is home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, WNBA's Seattle Storm, PWHL Seattle and the world's biggest performers of live music and events. The arena is named after The Climate Pledge, an initiative founded by Amazon and Global Optimism asking global corporations to become net zero carbon by 2040. Climate Pledge Arena has one of the most progressive sustainability programs of any building its size, including being the world’s first Zero Carbon Certified arena. Climate Pledge Arena opened October 19, 2021. Visit climatepledgearena.com

Position Summary:

The Employee and Labor Relations Manager will develop and support the human resource plans, policies, and programs to support the Arena’s strategic direction and business plans in the areas of employee and labor relations. This position reports directly to the VP, People & Culture and oversees all aspects of employee and labor relations including: union relationships, collective bargaining agreement (CBA) administration and compliance, performance management (including investigations and disciplinary action), training and development, maintenance of employee information records, and the provision of advice and guidance to management and staff on the above matters.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Direct, administer, and lead the development of policies, programs and initiatives in all areas of human resources, including employee retention, training and development and performance management for part-time staff (union-represented and non-).

• Develop and maintain harmonious union representatives/management relations.

• Counsel management regarding the negotiation/renewal, administration and interpretation of all CBAs, in collaboration with Arena Legal Department.

• Develop bargaining strategies and prepare proposals, make recommendations regarding annual budget for salary increases and other agreed upon costs.

• Lead and represent the company on labor/management committees, grievance resolution, arbitration and other related matters.

• Oversee and conduct workplace investigations, determine facts and recommend appropriate progressive discipline, corrective action, and performance management action.

• Provide coaching to managers and supervisors around effective disciplinary procedures, performance concerns and best practices.

• Advise on other areas of human resources management, including but not limited to wage and hour laws, disability law, company policy and procedures, organizational development, labor and employment law, and anti-harassment laws.

• Develop, facilitate and conduct relevant training programs for part-time event staff.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local labor laws.

• Participates in other duties and special projects as required.

Required Experience & Qualifications:

• A proven and progressive Human Resources professional with a minimum 5+ years’ related experience.

• Experience within a unionized environment, dealing directly with labor relations issues and unions.

• Expertise in all aspects of HR including labor relations, training & development, performance management and Human Capital Management Systems.

• A team player with the ability to collaborate with all levels of employees.

• Solid interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to interact effectively with diverse client groups.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and execution.

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, objectivity, confidentiality, good judgment and professionalism when handling all HR related issues.

• A self-starter who is proactive in putting thought, creativity, and ingenuity into work assignments.

• Approaches problem solving in a practical, client-centered manner with the ability to deal with conflict effectively.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects

Working Conditions:

• Minimal Travel (<10% travel): May be required to travel. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights.

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule inclusive of weekends, nights and holidays required

• Frequent bending, lifting 15-20 pounds, sitting, exposure to multiple external elements, extensive walking through the building including inclines and stairs.

Compensation:

• In accordance with the Washington State Equal Pay and Opportunity Act, the expected base pay range for this position is $80,000 - $100,000 annually. Actual base pay will depend on employee’s experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

• This role is classified as full-time, exempt, with majority of work based in-person at Climate Pledge Arena.

Benefits & Perks:

• Company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, including premiums for eligible dependents enrolled in the plans

• Company-paid life insurance and short- & long-term disability insurance

• 401k (pre-tax and Roth) with Company match up to 4%

• Kraken ticket stipend and employee only pre-sale opportunities to non-Kraken events

• Annual wellness stipend for mental & physical health

• Monthly cell phone stipend

• 15 vacation days, 10 personal holidays, and accrued sick time

• Minimum 10 paid holidays per year

• Paid parental leave

• Company-paid Orca, local transit card

• Corporate office located at Climate Pledge Arena; complimentary Arena garage parking offered

• Employee meal perks

• Company-paid employee assistance program and Headspace subscription

• Company-wide recognition platform

• Flexible spending accounts and voluntary accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance available

• Discounts at the Kraken Team Stores, Kraken Community Iceplex, 32 Bar & Grill, and other partners

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring:

Climate Pledge Arena aspires to write a new playbook in sports and entertainment that includes everyone. In alignment with this vision, if you don’t meet every job requirement listed—or if you haven’t worked in the industry or are still learning about the industry—we still encourage you to apply. We understand you may bring other relevant experiences and expertise to help us become the highest performance organization we can be. One of our core values is ‘Make Us Better’ and we recognize diversity, equity and inclusion as a critical business strategy.

If you’d like to request an accommodation in the application or interview process, please let us know by emailing: [email protected].

Seattle Hockey Partners, LLC and Seattle Arena Company, LLC are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We do not discriminate on basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.