Sr. Manager, Employee Relations & Compliance
3 days ago
Sterling
Job Description The Company Founded in 1927 as a division of Pan American World Airways, Avports is an experienced and trusted airport manager and operator. Today, the company operates with over 650 staff (of which approximately 300 are unionized) at 14+ airports across the US and the Caribbean, with that number slated to grow to 800 during the next year with the addition of new airport projects. In addition, Avports is now acting as the leaseholder and operator of public-private partnership (P3) projects at Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut and the Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) in Virginia. Avports has historically managed and operated a portfolio of airport operations and maintenance (O&M) and public-private partnership (P3/PPP) contracts at more than 30 US airports. These airports have diverse operations, encompassing commercial and general aviation airports, passenger terminals, joint-use airports, heliports, NASA facilities, and spaceports. The company is working to integrate electric aviation, hydrogen fuel cells, and zero-emission decarbonization concepts in existing airport environments. Job Summary Subject matter expert leading and administering employee and labor relations, workplace investigations, and workforce compliance programs across a complex, safety‑sensitive organization. Exercise significant independent judgment and authority in managing investigations, disciplinary actions, grievance processes, and regulatory compliance matters, while serving as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees. Design and oversee centralized programs, including a confidential employee relations reporting hotline, to ensure consistent, equitable, and compliant outcomes. Minimum high school diploma/equivalent, with at least seven (7) years of progressive experience overseeing high‑volume, high‑profile employee relations, investigations, and compliance programs in a unionized, regulated environment. Deep expertise in employee relations, labor agreements, workplace investigations, compliance programs, and intermediate proficiency with HRIS, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications. Position is exempt, and regular, full-time reporting to the Vice President Human Resources. Primary work is on-site and based in Northern Virgina (Dulles/Herndon). Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, meet corporate and airport access requirements, and be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally approximately 20%, including occasional overnight travel, based on business needs. Essential Job Functions Employee/Labor Relations & Investigations • Administer employee relations programs, including grievance resolution, corrective action, and disciplinary processes., • Design, implement, and manage a centralized employee relations reporting hotline, ensuring confidential intake, triage, documentation, escalation, and resolution tracking., • Lead and oversee investigations related to employee misconduct, policy violations, ethics concerns, and workplace complaints., • Act as a SME, delivering guidance to managers and employees on performance management, conduct issues, and application of employee relations standards, policies, and guidelines. Consult with senior management and legal counsel as appropriate., • Oversee disciplinary actions to ensure consistent, equitable, and policy‑aligned outcomes across the organization., • Design, plan, and administer training programs for managers and employees, including policy education, standards, compliance requirements, and available resources., • Support union grievance administration and labor relations activities in collaboration with site leadership, administrators, and labor representatives., • Oversee background screening programs, including criminal history and credit checks, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements., • Serve as a corporate liaison for airport access and security credentialing, monitoring compliance and resolving access‑related issues., • Monitor and enforce drug and alcohol testing programs, including pre‑employment, random, and reasonable‑suspicion testing, maintaining confidentiality and regulatory compliance., • Oversee fitness‑for‑duty and medical screening programs to support workforce health, safety, and operational readiness., • Maintain meticulous, confidential, and centralized records in compliance with internal standards, legal requirements, and data privacy expectations., • Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders to document, standardize, and continuously improve employee relations procedures, workflows, and controls., • Prepare and deliver routine and ad hoc reports related to employee relations trends, investigation outcomes, compliance status, screening programs, and hotline metrics for leadership review., • Analyze data to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations to leadership., • Support audits, internal reviews, and compliance assessments related to employee relations and workforce programs., • Accept ownership and accountability, consistently delivering accurate, high-quality results with a sense of urgency, • Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and corporate stakeholders, • Operate with integrity and compliance, adhering to internal policies and applicable aviation regulations, • Manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, • High attention to detail, sound judgment, and conscientiousness in all work, • Communicate timelines, expectations, and progress clearly, • Make timely decisions when options are clear, escalating appropriately for higher risk or ambiguity, • Support team continuity and knowledge sharing, • Seek, receive, and apply constructive feedback to support ongoing development Education & Experience • Minimum high school diploma or certificate, • Minimum seven (7) years of progressive experience overseeing large volume/high profile employee relations and investigations, and workplace compliance related work in a unionized, regulated environment; preference in airport, aviation, or real estate industry, • Preferred: Associate or bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) in human resources, labor relations, business, or related field, • Employee relations/compliance: Deep experience in employee relations and workplace investigations. Ability to effectively navigate and apply knowledge of labor and employment laws, union CBAs, workplace investigations, and regulatory compliance, • Background screening/drug testing: Aptitude to apply knowledge of screening processes, confidentiality protocols, and regulatory requirements, • Immigration/work authorization: Aptitude to apply knowledge related to U.S. and regional immigration compliance standards, • Medical/fitness programs: Aptitude to apply knowledge of job specific fitness for duty, accommodation requirements, and related compliance, • Training program management: Coordinates compliance training tracking and reporting, • Experience in aviation, transportation, defense, or other safety-sensitive industries, • Familiarity with multi-jurisdictional labor relations and compliance environments, • Knowledge implementation/use enterprise level, centralized employee reporting tools, • Must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, • Must be eligible to travel domestically, including occasional overnight stays, • Primarily office-based, with occasional domestic travel (~20% per year), • Employees must reside within reasonable commuting distance of the primary work location., • Ability to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods., • Requires visual acuity, hearing, and speaking ability to communicate effectively., • Regular use of hands and fingers to operate computer equipment and office devices., • Occasionally lifts or moves objects up to 25 pounds., • Must be able to navigate office environments and operational sites as needed., • Flexible to support occasional extended hours., • While office work is sedentary, tasks at operational sites require mobility, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching. The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law. Consistent with those requirements, the Company. will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. Compensation and Benefits Overview Benefits may include: • Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, • Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, • Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance options, • Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Plan options, • Supplemental Insurance Plan options, • 401(k) Profit-Sharing Retirement Plan, • Vacation and Sick Leave, • Paid Company Holidays, • Discretionary Bonus, • Professional development resources