Remote New

Labor Relations Business Partner, Expert Level

Delta Dental of California
$93,425 - $202,404
dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), employee discount
United States
Mar 12, 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION The Labor Relations Business Partner, Expert Level role is the highest-level individual contributor in People Relations, responsible for leading the most sensitive and complex employee and labor relations matters. This role provides credible, strategic, and insight-driven advisory support to senior leaders. The role shapes and advances labor and employee relations strategy for the business, including preparation for CBA negotiations, workforce changes, and systemic risk matters. The Labor Relations Business Partner, Expert Level operates as a performance-driven strategic advisor through the lens of Delta Dental's Mission and Purpose: advocating for respectful outcomes, enabling leaders to make informed decisions, and reducing legal and operational risk through strong fundamentals, insight, and consistent standards. This role partners with leadership at all levels, People COEs, Legal, Compliance/Risk, and business stakeholders to align strategy and drive consistency across the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES Leads the highest-risk and most complex People Relations matters end-to-end, including executive-level employee issues, matters with significant legal or reputational exposure, and cases requiring enterprise-level judgment. Provides strategic consultation to senior leaders on CBA interpretation, grievance escalation strategy, discipline frameworks, performance outcomes, and workforce decisions affecting represented and non-represented populations. Co-leads labor strategy planning and execution for assigned negotiations, bargaining preparation, and labor-management engagement; serves as a key member of the negotiations team, up to second chair. Performs internal and external trend analysis and root-cause diagnosis; designs interventions that improve leader capability, reduce recurrence, and strengthen employee experience. Serves as a senior subject matter expert for labor and employee relations, employment practices, HR policies/procedures, employment law concepts, and government regulations; translates complexity into clear direction for leaders, People COEs, and other partners. Partners with Legal to evaluate risk and support strategy for pre-litigation, active litigation, and litigation-adjacent matters, including administrative charges, arbitrations, mediations, documentation, and witness readiness. This role does not serve as legal counsel of record. Designs and facilitates scenario-based, practical leader training aligned to Delta Dental standards, focusing on capability building and long-term skill development. Maintains integrity, discretion, and composure during high-pressure engagements, including bargaining and contentious leader-employee dynamics. Performs other duties as requested or assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree and 7 years of employee and labor relations experience required; additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. A Juris Doctor (JD) may be considered in lieu of some years of direct experience when accompanied by meaningful labor and employee relations experience. Preference for 8-12 years of progressive employee and labor relations experience, including direct union interface and leadership of complex, high-risk cases. Demonstrated experience supporting negotiations, contract administration, and grievance/arbitration preparation. Experience designing enterprise standards and leader capability programs. Expert labor relations capability, including NLRA fundamentals, labor-management relationship strategy, grievance processes, arbitration readiness, and bargaining preparation. Strong understanding of employment risk concepts (EEO, retaliation, wage and hour, leave frameworks) and ability to translate them into operational decision-making. Executive-level consultation skills, including confident communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and conflict navigation. Advanced investigation capability, including planning, interviewing, credibility assessment, evidence analysis, and defensible documentation. Strong operational rigor: prioritization, case governance, standard work discipline, and ability to build repeatable systems and playbooks. Analytical mindset: ability to use data and insights to identify systemic drivers, recommend interventions, and measure outcomes. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools (Teams); comfort operating in HR case management systems. Strong interpersonal skills, mediation skills, consultation, and the ability to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment in order to meet deadlines. Ability to work across multiple teams and with stakeholders at all organizational levels in often ambiguous circumstances. Juris Doctor (JD) preferred; however, this role does not represent the Company in legal matters and does not act as attorney of record. SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) preferred. Base Pay Information The national base pay range at the end is a good-faith estimate of what Delta Dental may pay for new hires. Actual pay may vary based on Delta Dental's assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), related experience, education, certifications and ability to meet required minimum job qualifications. Other factors impacting pay include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity. Pay Grade 22. $93,425 - $202,404 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Behind the smile! We are dedicated to safeguarding the health and financial stability of our employees and their loved ones. This commitment extends beyond the workplace to foster personal growth and holistic wellbeing. Our life-changing rewards package includes: Competitive base and incentive pay 401(k) with robust matching and non-matching contributions Rich medical & pharmacy benefits 100% employer-paid dental and vision benefits Holistic wellbeing program with deep financial incentives Generous paid time off plus 12 paid holidays and your birthday off Culture of growth and learning: career development; tuition reimbursement; recognition program Family support: adoption assistance, fertility treatment, child, elder & pet care assistance Social responsibility and volunteer opportunities Employee discount program Fair Chance Ordinances and Criminal Background Considerations This position requires that the applicant undergo a background check. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state or local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and/or New York Corrections Law Article 23-A. Important Work Authorization Information Please note, Delta Dental will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. #LI-Remote ABOUT THE TEAM At Delta Dental, we're behind millions of smiles and counting. For over 68 years, we've served our communities by increasing access to affordable, quality care - but that commitment to care extends beyond the people we serve, to the dedicated employees who make those smiles genuine. We've come this far by building fair programs that offer opportunities for advancement, create meaningful connections and improve the lives of our employees and their families. Because we know that when we take exceptional care of each other, we can make a positive impact for all. We champion an inspirational workplace through our commitment to trust, service, excellence and innovation. Joining us means working for a company that offers stability and balance, opportunities for leadership at all levels, and a work environment focused on teamwork and camaraderie. Discover the smiling faces behind Delta Dental and experience our values and culture in action by connecting with us on social media. Follow Delta Dental Ins. on Facebook and Instagram, #LifeatDDins on Facebook and Instagram, Delta Dental Ins. on Twitter and Delta Dental Ins. on LinkedIn. If you've got an appetite for innovation and want to be a part of a team that's transforming the future of health care, join us! Since 1955, we have offered comprehensive, high-quality oral health care benefits to millions of enrollees and built the strongest network of dental providers in the country. The Delta Dental of California network includes affiliates Delta Dental Insurance Company; Delta Dental of Pennsylvania; Delta Dental of New York, Inc.; Delta Dental of the District of Columbia; Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc.; and Delta Dental of West Virginia, providing dental benefits to more than 31 million people across 15 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The company and its affiliates are part of Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), a not-for-profit national association based in Oak Brook, Illinois. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. We offer vision coverage through DeltaVision in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Collectively, we deliver benefits to more Americans than any other dental insurance company. Delta Dental Ins. is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Individuals seeking employment at Delta Dental are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, actual or perceived physical or mental disability, registered domestic partner status, caregiver status, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected category. Delta Dental is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, we have adopted and maintain an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, Harassment-Free Work Environment Policy, and Respectful Workplace policies and will not tolerate violations of these policies. Unfortunately, our Delta Dental Enterprise is unable to hire individuals residing in Alaska, North Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Vermont, Maine, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) or other US Territories at this time. Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire. Delta Dental includes: Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, and Delta Dental of New York If You Are A Current Employee Click Here* To Apply