How to hire a labour relations manager

How to hire a labour relations manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step labour relations manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a labour relations manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new labour relations manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a labour relations manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the labour relations manager you need to hire. Certain labour relations manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A labour relations manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, labour relations managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of labour relations managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Labour Relations Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Labour Relations Manager	Labor relations specialists interpret and administer labor contracts regarding issues such as wages and salaries, healthcare, pensions, and union and management practices.	$27-62
   Human Resources Supervisor	A human resources supervisor is a professional responsible for developing and administering human resources programs so that the company can achieve efficient operations. Human resources supervisors coordinate all stages of the hiring process, such as checking all candidates' backgrounds, conducting interviews, and drug screening... Show more	$22-42
   Manager	Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department... Show more	$17-44

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Human Resources
   • Collective Bargaining Agreements
   • Arbitration
   • CRM
   • Collective Bargaining
   • PowerPoint
   • EEO
   • Performance Management
   • Oversight
   • Contract Administration
   • Payroll
   • Mediation
   • Conflict Resolution
   • Business Development

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Reduce absenteeism by managing an aggressive absence control program for FMLA usage.
   • Lead the development and implementation of an improve full administrative process, absence controls, and tracking log for FMLA.
   • Manage all unemployment claims and appeals resulting in a reduction of the maximum experience rate to the minimum contribution rate.
   • Manage all aspects of employee relations including mediation and investigations as required.
   • Manage alumni programs and data systems including implementing new data tracking system and creating data privacy policy.
   • Counsele all levels of management regarding matters relate to the NLRA, RLA, ADA, FMLA and FLSA.

   More labour relations manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your labour relations manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A labour relations manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a labour relations manager in Georgia may be lower than in Massachusetts, and an entry-level labour relations manager usually earns less than a senior-level labour relations manager. Additionally, a labour relations manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average labour relations manager salary

   $86,150yearly

   $41.42 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level labour relations manager salary

   $57,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average labour relations manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$119,639	$58
   2	Nevada	$112,091	$54
   3	Massachusetts	$111,539	$54
   4	District of Columbia	$106,864	$51
   5	Washington	$95,832	$46
   6	Oregon	$93,719	$45
   7	Rhode Island	$91,351	$44
   8	New York	$89,951	$43
   9	Colorado	$87,712	$42
   10	Michigan	$85,396	$41
   11	Virginia	$81,347	$39
   12	Pennsylvania	$80,006	$38
   13	Illinois	$78,936	$38
   14	Minnesota	$74,946	$36
   15	Ohio	$73,678	$35
   16	Indiana	$73,040	$35
   17	Missouri	$67,963	$33
   18	Tennessee	$67,772	$33
   19	Texas	$66,927	$32
   20	Oklahoma	$63,757	$31

   Average labour relations manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	eBay	$123,398	$59.33
   2	The Walt Disney Company	$119,761	$57.58	12
   3	Logan Health	$111,532	$53.62
   4	Gap Inc.	$107,132	$51.51
   5	Pacifi	$100,109	$48.13	2
   6	Bayer	$99,544	$47.86	2
   7	Kroger	$94,277	$45.33	2
   8	Highmark	$91,891	$44.18	24
   9	HCSC	$91,809	$44.14	2
   10	DuPont	$91,253	$43.87
   11	Mission Regional Medical Center	$90,735	$43.62
   12	West Coast University	$90,643	$43.58
   13	Hca Hospital Services Of San Diego	$90,441	$43.48
   14	The Home Depot	$90,104	$43.32
   15	Qualcomm	$89,329	$42.95	2
   16	University of Maryland Medical System	$89,028	$42.80
   17	Olin	$87,457	$42.05
   18	Bandwidth	$87,175	$41.91
   19	SC Johnson	$86,604	$41.64
   20	New York Power Authority	$86,053	$41.37	1

4. Writing a labour relations manager job description

   A labour relations manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a labour relations manager job description:

   Labour relations manager job description example

   **Strong Pay, Leadership Role, Full Medical Benefits, Paid Time Off, 401k Match - Smooth & Efficient Hiring Process!**
   
   Our client, a local health system, is seeking a Sr. Manager of Employee & Labor Relations for a permanent position! Outstanding Human Resources Leadership Opportunity with Premier Health System. Apply today!
   GET PLACED BY HC SOLUTIONS GROUP Sr. Manager of Employee & Labor Relations Yonkers, NY Full-Time, Permanent Positions Only HC Solutions Group specializes in the permanent placement of Health Care Leadership Professionals. We have partnered with a local health system for the recruitment of a Sr. Manager of Employee & Labor Relations . All positions are full-time & permanent. We are currently recruiting for a Sr. Manager of Employee & Labor Relations for a permanent leadership opportunity with an outstanding Regional Health System. Qualified candidates must have a strong leadership Sr. Manager of Employee & Labor Relations background in an acute level of care. GET PLACED BY HC SOLUTIONS GROUP Direct Access to Hiring Managers Streamlined Hiring Process Fast & Efficient Recruiter Representation & Advocacy 20 Years of Health Care Leadership Experience Full-Time, Permanent Positions Only Compensation for the Sr. Manager of Employee & Labor Relations Strong Salary Offering Relocation Assistance Medical/Dental/Vision Retirement Plan Paid Time Off Benefits of the Sr. Manager of Employee & Labor Relations Competitive Pay to the Market Award Winning Work Environment Relocation Assistance (where applicable) Leadership & Growth Opportunity Permanent Position Excellent Medical/Dental/Vision Paid Time Off POSITION SUMMARY Responsible for the day-to-day labor and employee relations activities involving all employee and labor relations. The Senior Manager will advise all management staff on employee and union labor decision making and processes as well as work with our union colleagues to address employee issues. The Manager is responsible for supervising the Labor Relations Manager/Specialist.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES · Advises and counsels management on the collective bargaining agreements and HR policies. · Functions as the step hearing officer for union grievances. · Attends all labor management committee meetings. · Assists with the development and delivery of Labor Relations and Employee Relations training programs for management staff. · Participates in labor negotiations. · Chairs the Hospital Employee Wellness. · Facilitate conflict resolution strategies involving employees. · Investigates complaints regarding sexual harassment and other workplace issues. · Supports the Director, Human Resources as well as Hospital and outside counsel in preparing for and defending labor arbitrations and litigation. · Supervises the Labor Relations Manager/Specialist position. · Collaborates with the Human Resources team in developing new policies and initiatives. · Performs other related duties as assigned. SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS · Minimum of 5 years labor relations experience, preferably in a health care setting. · Outstanding written and verbal communications skills. · Experience working with individuals at all levels of the organization · Outstanding problem-solving and negotiating skills with a strong detail-orientation · Demonstrated presentation skills with the ability to present to individuals at various levels of the organization. · Proven project management skills with the ability to lead and influence individuals. EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field required; Master’s Degree preferred. Company DescriptionOur Story
   With over 30 years of experience, HC Solutions Group is the premier permanent placement recruitment firm in the country.
   
   As an industry leading recruitment firm, we place Health Care and Information Technology Professionals of various specialties and professions with clients nationwide. HC Solutions Groups develops close partnerships with our clients to support the multiple recruitment needs of their organizations. Our contingent search model offers clients a risk-free partnership model that is driven by the recruitment of qualified professionals. Our goal is a client and candidate-based partnership, providing recruitment solutions to all whom we represent.
   
   Mission
   To provide permanent placement excellence for Health Care and Information Technology professionals and our partner Clients – partnerships that are relationship based and results driven.
   
   Vision
   HC Solutions Groups aims to provide the premier permanent placement service, executing on our mission of creating partnerships in Health Care and Information Technology placement.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right labour relations manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with labour relations managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit labour relations managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your labour relations manager job on Zippia to find and recruit labour relations manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit labour relations managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new labour relations manager

   Once you've found the labour relations manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new labour relations manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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