Join the future of news

We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.

About Our Team

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Director, Employee Relations is responsible for leading the company-wide employee relations function, ensuring consistent, fair, and effective practices across a complex, multi-union workforce. Reporting to the CHRO, this role serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, translating strategic priorities into disciplined execution through a team of HR Business Partners. The role combines deep expertise in investigations and labor relations with the ability to build scalable processes, strengthen manager capability, and manage organizational risk. This leader works closely with our Legal team to execute labor relations strategy while driving consistency, quality, and measurable improvements in employee relations outcomes across the company.

The Senior Director, Employee Relations serves as a trusted advisor to executive leaders, managers of all levels, and employees, providing sound judgment and practical guidance on complex employee and labor relations matters. This role leads the development and enforcement of company policies and practices that support a dynamic, unionized media environment while minimizing organizational risk.

What Motivates You

You may be a strong fit for this role if you are energized by:

Being a trusted sounding board to senior leaders and managers of all levels, helping them navigate high-stakes, sensitive people issues
Applying sound judgment in ambiguous situations where there is no clear “right answer”
Leading complex investigations and ensuring fairness, consistency, and integrity in outcomes
Working in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment where business, editorial, and workforce dynamics intersect
Engaging in labor relations, including union negotiations, grievance management, and contract interpretation
Building and improving processes that create consistency and scalability across employee relations practices
Coaching managers to handle performance, conduct, and employee concerns more effectively
Balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution and high attention to detail

How You Will Contribute to the Mission

Serve as a primary advisor to the CHRO and senior leadership on complex employee and labor relations matters
Lead complex, high-risk employee relations investigations end-to-end and ensure best practices in documentation and case management
Lead the enterprise-wide employee relations team and provide oversight to HR Business Partners delivering ER support across the organization
Set and enforce standards for ER practices across the HRBP team, ensuring consistency and defensibility
Partner with Legal in labor relations matters, including bargaining preparation, grievance management, and contract administration
Oversee highly complex and sensitive ER matters with legal, operational, and reputational implications
Design and implement ER policies, programs, and scalable processes
Strengthen manager capability through coaching, tools, and training
Drive measurable improvements in ER outcomes, including reducing reliance on severance through stronger performance management
Manage departmental budgets including payroll and severance-related expenses

The Skills and Experience You Bring

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
10+ years of progressive experience in employee and labor relations, ideally in a unionized environment
Experience in media or entertainment industry preferred
Demonstrated experience leading complex investigations and advising senior leadership
Experience supporting union negotiations and labor relations execution preferred
Experience designing company policies, processes, and frameworks
Experience managing and developing teams
SPHR, PHR, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred
Exceptional judgment and ability to navigate ambiguity with fairness and consistency
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Strong coaching, influencing, and relationship-building skills
Strong knowledge of employment law and labor relations
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism
Experience leading large-scale organizational change initiatives and projects, including significant workforce transitions

Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
Nine paid holidays and two personal days
20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
Robust mental health resources
Backup care and caregiver concierge services
Gender affirming services
Pet insurance
Free Post digital subscription
Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The salary range for this position is:

$172,300 - $320,100 Annual

The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the Talent Acquisition team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.

Your story awaits. Apply today!

Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.