Director and Counsel, Labor and Employee Relations

About the job

How you'll help us Keep Climbing (overview & key responsibilities)

Delta is seeking a Director and Counsel, Labor and Employee Relations to provide strategic legal counsel and labor relations leadership in support of Flight Operations, the Operations Control Center (OCC), In-Flight Services and other Delta Divisions, as well as Labor Relations, Human Resources, and executive leadership. This role serves as a trusted advisor on labor law, collective bargaining strategy, contract interpretation, workforce initiatives, and labor relations matters impacting Delta's unionized and non-union workforce.

The Director plays a critical role in shaping labor strategy, assessing and managing legal risk, and supporting operational objectives while fostering productive labor-management relationships. This position partners closely with divisional leadership, Labor Relations, and other business leaders to address complex labor matters, drive organizational initiatives and support the Company's long-term workforce strategy.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a strategic advisor to divisional leadership, including but not limited to Flight Operations and In-Flight Services, Labor Relations, Human Resources, and executive leadership on labor and employment matters
• Provide strategic legal counsel regarding contractual issues, collective bargaining agreements, labor law compliance, union campaigns, labor-management communications, workforce initiatives, organizational change, and operational risk management
• Partner with leadership and Labor Relations to develop and execute enterprise-wide labor relations strategies that support business objectives,  operational performance and financial priorities.
• Advise leadership on the interpretation and application of labor agreements, with a focus on significant business, operational, and workforce implications
• Oversee legal strategy and provide counsel in connection with complex grievances, arbitrations, negotiations, and labor disputes
• Support contract administration, and labor-management relationship strategies
• Draft, review, and negotiate settlements, policies, and other labor-related legal documents
• Monitor developments in labor and employment law and provide proactive guidance regarding emerging legal and regulatory risks
• Influence enterprise-wide labor and employment strategies while balancing operational, financial, and legal considerations
• Lead strategic projects and initiatives impacting Delta's labor relations environment and  workforce
• Direct and oversee outside counsel in connection with arbitrations and other complex labor matters, providing strategic guidance and ensuring alignment with Company values, objectives, and labor relations strategies.
• Mentor and develop talent while fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement

Benefits and Perks to Help You Keep Climbing

Our culture is rooted in a shared dedication to living our values – Care, Integrity, Resilience and Servant Leadership – every day, in everything we do. At Delta, our people are our success. At the heart of what we offer is our focus on Sharing Success with Delta employees. Exploring a career at Delta gives you a chance to see the world while earning great compensation and benefits to help you keep climbing along the way:

• Competitive salary, industry-leading profit sharing program, and performance incentives.
• 401(k) with generous company contributions up to 9%.
• New hires are eligible for up to 2-weeks of vacation. This is earned for use in the following vacation year (April 1 – March 31).
• In addition to vacation, new hires are eligible for up to 56 hours of paid personal time within a 12-month period.
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Birthing parents are eligible for 12-weeks of paid maternity/parental leave.
• Non-birthing parents are eligible for 2-weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, short/long term disability and life insurance benefits.
• Family care assistance through fertility support, surrogacy and adoption assistance, lactation support, subsidized back-up care, and programs that help with loved ones in all stages.
• Holistic Wellbeing programs to support physical, emotional, social, and financial health, including access to an employee assistance program offering support for you and anyone in your household, free financial coaching, and extensive resources supporting mental health.
• Domestic and International space-available flight privileges for employees and eligible family members.
• Career development programs to achieve your long-term career goals.
• World-wide partnerships to engage in community service and innovative goals created to focus on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.
• Business Resource Groups created to connect employees with common interests to promote inclusion, provide perspective and help implement strategies.
• Recognition rewards and awards through the platform Unstoppable Together.
• Access to over 500 discounts, specialty savings and voluntary benefits through Deltaperks such as car and hotel rentals and auto, home, and pet insurance, legal services, and childcare.

What you need to succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

• Licensed to practice law and admitted to at least one U.S. state bar

• 10+ years of labor and employment law experience, including substantial experience supporting unionized workforces

• Demonstrated expertise in contract administration, labor relations strategy,  grievance resolution, arbitration, employment counseling and collective bargaining.

• Experience advising senior leaders on complex labor, operational, and organizational matters

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, influencing, and relationship-building skills.

• Demonstrated ability to influence executive decision-making and lead through highly visible and complex labor relations matters

• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.

• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.

• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.

• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

• Airline industry experience
• Significant knowledge of the Railway Labor Act (RLA)
• Experience serving as lead counsel during arbitration and/or litigation
• Experience leading enterprise-wide labor, workforce, or organizational initiatives
• Experience leading other attorneys and/or labor professionals