Industrial Relations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

Subsurface Energy Resources, LLC (SER) is a California-based company established to execute the Willow Rock Energy Storage Center - an underground compressed air energy storage project located near Mojave, California. SER is an independent employer operating under its own management structure and workforce agreements.

The Industrial Relations Manager is responsible for establishing and managing the full scope of labor and employment relations for this project. This role is the primary interface between SER and the various craft unions operating under Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and Master Agreements across the western United States.

The successful candidate will build and lead the site-level HR/IR function from the ground up, ensuring full compliance with applicable federal and California labor legislation, the terms of governing PLAs, and all applicable union collective agreements. This is a senior, site-based leadership role demanding deep expertise in unionized construction environments and strong relationships with western US trade unions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Industrial Relations & Labor Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship manager with all trade unions active on the Willow Rock project, including relevant craft unions affiliated with the Building and Construction Trades Council of the AFL-CIO in the western United States.
• Interpret, administer, and enforce all applicable PLAs and Master Agreements; ensure site management and supervisory teams fully understand their obligations under each agreement.
• Lead or support grievance handling at all steps of the grievance procedure; work with legal counsel on arbitration preparation where required.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with dispatch hall obligations, referral procedures, and jurisdiction rules under each applicable trade agreement.
• Proactively manage the labor relations climate on site; anticipate and mitigate potential disputes before they escalate.
• Maintain accurate and current records of all grievances, disciplinary actions, and labor relations correspondence.
• Liaise with legal counsel to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable employment and labor law, including the structural requirements of maintaining SER as a distinct and independent employing entity.

Human Resources - Project Workforce

• Oversee all HR operations for the Willow Rock project workforce of up to approximately 100 unionized employees, covering the full employee life cycle from onboarding through offboarding.
• Partner with project leadership to ensure workforce planning aligns with project schedule, PLA personnel provisions, and budget.
• Administer California-specific employment requirements including wage and hour compliance, meal and rest period regulations, sick leave, pay stub requirements, and other obligations under the California Labor Code.
• Manage new employee orientations in coordination with the Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) team, ensuring all workers receive required site-specific training and inductions.
• Support and advise project supervisors on performance management, progressive discipline, and terminations, ensuring consistency with both company policy and applicable collective agreement provisions.
• Oversee HR recordkeeping, HRIS data integrity, and reporting for the project workforce.
• Coordinate benefits administration for project employees.

Entity Setup & Compliance

• Support the establishment of SER as a fully functioning legal employer, including coordinating with legal, finance, and payroll to ensure all registration, employer identification, and payroll infrastructure is in place prior to first hire.
• Establish and maintain site-level HR policies, procedures, and an employee handbook consistent with California law and PLA obligations.
• Ensure compliance with all federal employment laws (NLRA, FLSA, Title VII, ADA, FMLA, etc.) as well as California-specific statutes and regulations (FEHA, CFRA, Cal/OSHA interface, PAGA considerations, etc.).
• Manage certified payroll reporting obligations if applicable under prevailing wage or public works requirements.
• Coordinate with HSE and legal teams on workers' compensation claims management.

Leadership & Team Development

• Directly supervise 1-2 HR/IR Specialists or Coordinators; provide mentorship, direction, and performance management for direct reports.
• Build a collaborative, solutions-oriented HR/IR function that supports site management while protecting the interests of both the company and its employees.
• Participate in project leadership meetings and contribute an HR/IR perspective to site-level decision-making.
• Provide regular reporting to the Project Director on labour relations matters, workforce metrics, compliance matters, and any emerging issues.

Health & Safety

• Work in full compliance with all site HSE rules, regulations, and requirements applicable to SER and the Willow Rock project.
• Incorporate health and safety considerations into all HR/IR processes and activities, including onboarding, discipline, and return-to-work programs.
• Report any observed health, safety, or environmental hazards to the site HSE team promptly.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or a closely related field is required.
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive HR and labor relations experience, with a significant portion in a unionized construction, heavy industrial, or mining environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience administering Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and Master Agreements with multiple trade unions, preferably in California and/or the western United States.
• Experience working directly with craft unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades, including dispatch and referral hall processes.
• Prior experience setting up or operationalizing HR functions for a new project or subsidiary entity is highly desirable.
• Experience in underground construction or mining is a significant asset given the technical and safety-sensitive nature of the work environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing grievances through all steps of the grievance and arbitration process.
• Prior supervisory experience with direct reports in an HR/IR function.

Certificate(s), License(s), Registration(s)

• A post-graduate certificate or degree in Labor/Industrial Relations, or a SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR, or CLRP designation, is considered a strong asset.

Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the Labor Management Relations Act, and applicable federal employment laws.
• In-depth knowledge of the California Labor Code, California FEHA, CFRA, wage and hour regulations, and Cal/OSHA interface with HR.
• Strong understanding of the structural and legal requirements applicable to a newly incorporated employing entity in a unionized construction environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills; proven ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with union business agents and local representatives.
• Sound judgment, high integrity, and the ability to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders in a complex project environment.
• Proficient in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with construction workforce management tools is an asset.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, field-based project environment with a high degree of autonomy.

Subsurface Energy Resources, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

This position is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening. Background checks may include verification of employment history, education, criminal records, and other information relevant to the position. All screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Candidates will be notified and asked to provide consent before any screening is initiated.