Job Abstract

The role of SVP, Labor Relations at Kaiser Permanente is a critical, high-exposure opportunity, during a time of unprecedented transformation and change in a complex, large-scale environment. Kaiser Permanente is an organization driven by its people and with a history and future deeply connected to organized labor with 179,689 union representatives, 70 contracts, and 81 bargaining units. Additionally, the majority of the individual unions have formed into two large consortiums, the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions and the Alliance of Healthcare Unions. Currently, both of these groups engage with Kaiser Permanente through the Labor Management Partnership (LMP), a formal partnership agreement enabling labor and management to engage collaboratively and productively on issues and challenges. Due to recent history, an evolving workforce, and trends in labor law, the SVP, Labor Relations will play a key role in modernizing the way Kaiser Permanente engages with leaders of the LMP and other local unions, in alignment with enterprise objectives and dedication to all unionized employees.

Reporting to Greg Holmes, EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer, the SVP, Labor Relations, will lead all labor relations for Kaiser Permanente including the enterprise-wide Labor Relations team, development and execution of a multi-year strategy, operations, day to day management and negotiations. This role also leads and oversees the management segment of the LMP, providing a large opportunity to shape labor policy and engagement across all of Kaiser Permanente. This role will partner with the CEO, CHRO, Board of Directors and other organizational leaders to determine which policies and positions best align with the goals of both the organization and its unionized workforce.

• Work with senior leaders within Kaiser Permanente, including the CEO, CHRO and others, to develop and launch the multi-year Labor Relations strategy and initiatives, while managing the complexity and scale of Kaiser Permanente. 


• Establish deep relationships and personal credibility with senior labor leaders. 


• Manage partnerships with Kaiser Permanente’s labor groups, negotiating national and local agreements and contracts, ensuring alignment across all stakeholder groups; recognize the importance and organizational impact of both national and local negotiations. 


• Serve as the senior management representative in the Labor Management Partnership; develop and implement an overarching strategy to maximize the impact and benefit of the LMP. 


• Manage disputes and labor grievances, both proactively and reactively, to ensure effective working relationships between the organization and its unionized workforce. 


• During a critical event, serve as a key advisor to organizational leadership while working to resolve any situations quickly, effectively and equitably. 


• Build relationships with leadership teams across the organization, serving as a thought partner and coach on how to proactively avoid disputes through the development of a healthy, engaged workforce and culture. 


• Lead enterprise-wide Labor Relations team consisting of both national and regional teams.


• Ensure alignment and close coordination between regional and enterprise-level teams, strategies and goals.


• Enable team success through effective communication, clear goal setting and direction, elevated engagement and development opportunities. 


• Ensure organizational compliance with all local, state and federal requirements.