SSP Group plc

Labor Relations Director

SSP Group plc  •  $144k - $155k/yr  •  Ashburn, VA (Onsite)  •  1 month ago
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Job Description

Join Our Team!

Salary Range: $144,000 - $154,500 / year + bonus eligible

Location: Remote, preference for candidates on the East or West Coast

Travel: up to 60%

Competitive Compensation: Health, Dental, Vision and Life Plans, Paid Time Off, 401K with company match, Employee Assistance Program

Help Make SSP America “The Best Part of the Journey.”


At SSP America, we believe strong partnerships and clear communication create the foundation for great employee experiences. As food-travel experts across North America, our people drive every moment of the journey. We’re looking for a Labor Relations Director to lead labor strategy across our unionized environments, strengthen union partnerships, and ensure consistent, compliant labor practices that support both our people and our operations. In this role, you will guide leaders through complex labor matters while shaping a stable and high-performing workforce.

Why You'll Love This Journey:


You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Lead labor relations strategy across a large, complex, multi-location organization
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on labor strategy, risk, and compliance
  • Build strong relationships with union partners to support positive labor-management outcomes
  • Influence negotiations, workforce planning, and long-term labor strategy
  • Drive consistency and operational stability across unionized environments

What You'll Do:

  • Manage and administer collective bargaining agreements across multiple unionized locations
  • Lead and be first chair in collective bargaining negotiations, including renewals and amendments
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with union representatives to support collaboration
  • Provide expert guidance on grievances, investigations, arbitrations, and workplace conflict resolution
  • Ensure compliance with U.S. and Canadian labor laws, regulations, and company policies
  • Partner with Legal to support labor-related claims, agency inquiries, and risk mitigation efforts
  • Advise and coach leaders on contract interpretation and labor best practices
  • Partner with Operations and People teams to align labor strategies with business needs
  • Maintain accurate documentation and records for all labor relations activities
  • Identify process improvements and enhance tools, communication, and leader capability

What Your Bring:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field required; JD or Master’s in Industrial Relations preferred.
  • Minimum 10+ years of labor relations experience, including experience in unionized environments
  • Experience supporting collective bargaining, grievance handling, and arbitration preparation
  • Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canadian labor laws and regulations
  • Proven ability to interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements across multiple locations
  • Experience partnering with Legal and Operations on labor-related matters
  • Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
  • High attention to detail with strong documentation and follow-up practices
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint)
  • Ability to travel up to 60% within the U.S. and Canada
  • Ability to pass required background checks and airport security clearances

Join Us on the Journey:

If you’re energized by leading labor strategy, advising leaders through complex challenges, and building strong labor partnerships, we’d love to meet you. At SSP America, you’ll play a key role in shaping a stable, compliant, and high-performing workforce across the organization.

SSP America is an equal opportunity employer. All decisions concerning the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. SSP America will provide reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws.

SSP Group plc

About SSP Group plc

SSP is a global leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations employing 49,000 colleagues in around 3,000 units across nearly 40 countries.

We specialise in designing, creating and operating a diverse range of food and drink outlets in airports, train stations and other travel hubs across six formats: sit-down and quick service restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, and food-led convenience stores. Our extensive portfolio of brands features a mix of international, national, and local brands, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our clients and customers.

Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and our focus is on making every journey taste better – bringing great food and welcoming hospitality to travellers across the globe. Sustainability is crucial for our long-term success, and we aim to deliver positive impact for our business while uniting stakeholders to promote a sustainable food travel sector.

Our people are at the heart of our business and our values are integral to our business, underpinning everything we do.

• TEAM. Team is everything. We actively support, respect and care for each other. With collaboration at the heart, we build strong relationships and deliver safe outcomes.

• PASSION. We bring energy, passion and commitment to everything that we do. Taking pride in our work, we go the extra mile to make every journey count.

• CURIOSITY. We approach everyday with open minds and thoughtful questions. We are agile and customer-focused, always looking for ways to deliver an exceptional experience.

• OWNERSHIP. We own our role completely, caring for every detail that shapes the SSP experience. Through genuine hospitality and continuous improvement, we make every moment matter.

www.foodtravelexperts.com

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
London, GB
Year Founded
Unknown
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