Senior Director, Labor and Employee Relations
Zum
Sales & Business Development
United States · Remote
USD 292k-328,500 / year + Equity
Posted on Nov 6, 2025
About Zum:
Zum is a rapidly expanding Series E startup backed by industry leaders Sequoia Capital, SoftBank, Spark Capital, and GIC, with a bold mission to transform the stagnant school transportation industry. Operating in over 15 states across the United States—with flagship hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle—we are actively extending our reach to the East Coast and Midwest regions. As a technology-driven company, we deploy cutting-edge solutions to manage and operate school district transportation systems while also launching our own charter platform and developing proprietary SaaS offerings. Additionally, we are spearheading a nationwide initiative to electrify school transportation fleets, simultaneously supporting local utilities by feeding much-needed energy back into the grid. We have been recognized as CNBC 50 disruptor, Financial Times 500 fastest growing companies, Fast Company World Changing Ideas.
Who You Are:
Reporting to our Chief People Officer, this People Leader will play a critical role in building and leading our Labor and Employee Relations function at Zūm. This role will work with our field locations across 15 states and counting. You will have deep knowledge of how to handle delicate and sensitive employee matters paired with a unique ability to navigate the complexities of Zūm’s business.
This role can be based remotely and will require regular travel to our different locations across the United States. Experience working in a multi-state and unionized environment is a must-have.
What You’ll Do:
Labor Relations:
• Drive Zum’s national Labor Relations Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive employee and labor relations strategy that aligns with the organization's mission, values, and legal requirements across multiple jurisdictions
• Demonstrated ability in complex labor negotiations and experience as first chair negotiator
• Manages union contracts and is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with union leadership and agents
• Prepares and negotiates initial and renewal labor agreements in accordance with line of business and corporate mandates
• Working knowledge and interpretation of the National Labor Relations Act
• Represent the Company in arbitrations and before the National Labor Relations Board
• Effectively respond to union organizing activity and train managers on employee relations matters including card check neutrality (CCN) campaigns
• Prepares for and assists Operations, regional leadership and HR in dealing with potential labor disputes, strikes, work stoppages and other concerted activity
• Prepares and distributes contract settlement summaries to operations managers, HR partners and regional leadership
• Collaborates with other departments including HR, Operations, Finance, Security, Corporate Communications, Legal and Compliance
Employee Relations and Grievances
• Investigations Management: Lead (with legal) and conduct complex Field investigations into employee relations and labor matters, ensuring thoroughness, confidentiality, and compliance with local and state laws and regulations
• Thorough understanding and application of workplace investigations best practices and standards, including conducting neutral fact-finding interviews, navigating key partnerships, credibility assessments, and maintaining confidentiality
• Manage complex situations relating to union grievances, performance issues, labour disputes, and other workplace conflict issues
• Partners with Legal to review and evaluate incoming union grievances, Improper Practice charges, draft disciplinary charges, and proper responses to grievances, which includes researching and interviewing appropriate personnel
• Policy Development: Collaborate with HR leadership to develop, update, and enforce global policies and procedures related to employee and labor relations, ensuring they are culturally appropriate and legally compliant
• Global Compliance: Monitor and interpret changes in State specific employment laws, labor laws and regulations, ensuring the organization's policies and practices remain compliant and adapt to emerging trends
Analysis & Reporting
• Analyze labor costs, trends, and operational impact of contractual provisions
• Provide executive summaries and recommendations to leadership on labor strategy, risk, and opportunities
• Collaborate with finance and operations to forecast wage/benefit costs and budget impacts
What You Bring To Zūm:
• Demonstrated business savvy to effectively communicate and work with other executives and leaders in support of achieving business goals
• Deep understanding of the financial aspects of labor relations, including wage and benefits costs
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities between multiple business units
• Develops cost models for use during economic negotiations
• Advanced facilitation, mediation, advocacy, and interpersonal skills to cope with conflicting points of view, function under pressure while demonstrating integrity, fair-mindedness and a persuasive, confident persona
• Labor and employee relations experience in a multi-contract, multi-union, complex environment
• 10-12 yrs of relevant experience
The target base salary range for this role is listed in the compensation section below. Actual salary may be above or below this range based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. In addition, this position may include additional compensation in the form of bonus, equity or commissions. If you are a full time salaried employee or hourly worker we offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, Wellness, Vacation and more. The targeted pay range for the role in US CA is $292,000 - $328,500
Zum Services, Inc. and all its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.