Senior Labor Relations Specialist

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:  

• Advance Airport Development  

• Transform the Customer Experience  

• Optimize Ongoing Business  

• Cultivate Our Culture  

Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that is anchored in our collective mindsets: collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, active listening, and always believing the best in people. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.  

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:   

• Location:  The new Airport Authority Administration building, located on the San Diego International Airport campus and near the waterfront, providing stunning views of our runway, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline.  

• Hybrid Work Schedule: We offer a flexible hybrid schedule, with an opportunity for remote work based on operational requirements, while supporting both in-office collaboration and remote productivity.   

• Salary: The hiring salary for the Senior Labor Relations Specialist is $122,554 – $136,171, depending on relevant experience and qualifications. The full pay range is $102,771 - $169,571. 

• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!  

• Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.  

• Application Deadline: November 7, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.  

About the Job:  

The Human Resources department is looking for a Senior Labor Relations Specialist (HR Business Partner) to work collaboratively with our bargaining units, employees, and management on employee-related issues and strategies. This role will align business objectives with talent strategies to drive efficiencies, performance, and meet workforce needs. In this role you’ll serve as the primary liaison between the union representatives and management to ensure alignment with work standards and the memorandum of agreement (MOA).  

What You’ll Do:  

Labor Relations & Collective Agreements 

• Manage daily application of collective agreement provisions. 

• Interpret and apply labor laws, collective bargaining agreements, and organizational policies. 

• Represent the organization in union negotiations, grievance procedures, and arbitration hearings. 

• Foster positive relationships with union representatives to promote collaborative problem-solving. 

Collective Bargaining & Dispute Resolution 

• Facilitate collective bargaining negotiations, including drafting proposals and counterproposals. 

• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements. 

• Resolve disputes related to contract interpretation. 

HR Strategy & Management Consultation 

• Advise and consult management on a full range of strategic and tactical HR issues. 

• Develop, implement, and administer standards, guidelines, and collective bargaining agreements. 

Employee Relations & Investigations 

• Investigate employee complaints and grievances. 

• Advise on disciplinary matters. 

• Analyze labor trends, grievances, arbitration outcomes, and workforce data to support informed decision-making. 

Human Capital Program Support 

• Perform professional, technical, and analytical activities in support of human capital programs. 

• Oversee succession planning and collaborate with Learning & Development on leadership and employee development programs. 

Workforce Analytics & Planning 

• Analyze workforce metrics to inform strategic decisions and improve HR effectiveness. 

• Collaborate with finance and department leaders to forecast staffing needs and optimize headcount. 

Performance Management & Compliance 

• Provide guidance to managers and supervisors on performance planning and appraisal methods. 

• Ensure compliance with all state, federal, and local laws and regulations. 

The Skills We Are Looking For:  

• Business Acumen. Demonstrates broad understanding of the business, departments’ functions, and supporting work activities across the organization.  
• Relationship Management. Ability to consult and provide advice at all levels of the organization; resolve conflict, establish trust, credibility and respect, as an impartial advocate for organizational business objectives. 
• Consultation.  Ability to provide guidance to organizational stakeholders through problem solving, analytical reasoning, people management and coaching. 
• Critical Evaluation. Ability to analyze and define a problem, evaluate alternative solutions, and identify an optimal recommendation; listens and clarifies information as needed. 
• Project Management. Ability to determine appropriate measures to achieve project goals and prioritize the measures; able to fully engage project participants to deliver an acceptable result in the time allocated. 
• Agility.  Readily adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.  

The Experience You Need to Have**:   

• Five years of increasingly responsible labor relations, human resources business partner or human resources generalist experience. 

• One year of supervisory or program management capacity. 

• Graduation from college or university with a degree in business administration, human resource management, organizational or industrial psychology or related degree.  

• Or an equivalent combination of experience and training.  

Licenses, Certificates, and Special Requirements:  

• Successful completion of a fingerprint-based background investigation, training, and testing required for employment and operation and operation of Authority and San Diego County physical security, surveillance, radio and telecommunications equipment.   

Preferred Education, Certification, and Licenses:  

• Graduation with a maters’ degree in business administration, human resource management, organizational or industrial psychology.  

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR or SPHR designation.  

**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.  

EEO Statement  

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  

Physical & Mental Demands   

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).  

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.