Urbana Systems Logo

Urbana Systems

Vice President Industry and Union Relations & Business Development

Other

1mo

Apply for Job

Job Title: Vice President, Industry and Union Relations & Business Development

Location: Remote / National Travel Required

Compensation: High-reward, revenue-share model (no base salary, no benefits)

Reports To: CEO, Sales, Revenue & Stakeholder Engagement

Overview

Urbana Systems is redefining housing and labor by converting distressed commercial properties into sustainable, affordable homeownership—while creating new, modernized jobs across the trades. We are seeking a battle-tested Vice President of Industry and Union Relations to lead union strategy and labor market expansion.

This role requires deep industry credibility, rock-solid legal and negotiation expertise, and a bold vision for how unions can thrive in the next evolution of construction and manufacturing. You will be central to shaping labor partnerships that scale Urbana’s national footprint while proactively mitigating project risks, labor shortages, and outdated workforce models.

This is not a traditional HR or legal role. This is an executive track for someone who sees the future of organized labor as a key business driver and is ready to lead that shift.

Core ResponsibilitiesStrategic Labor Leadership

  • Architect and lead Urbana’s national union strategy across all adaptive reuse and construction projects.
  • Define new trades, work scopes, and career paths created by Urbana’s patented systems, and bring them into union frameworks.
  • Forge strong, win-win partnerships with unions, national labor bodies, and apprenticeship programs.

Business Development via Union Channels

  • Drive business opportunities by aligning labor strategy with project pipelines, general contractors, and developers.
  • Leverage union partnerships to expand Urbana's market access, credibility, and execution speed.
  • Establish cross-functional initiatives between unions and Urbana’s Learning & Development team to equip trades for emerging technologies.

Negotiation & Agreements

  • Serve as Urbana's chief negotiator in Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and Project Labor Agreements (PLAs).
  • Ensure contracts align with financial targets, reduce exposure, and reflect new construction methodologies.
  • Resolve high-stakes disputes with authority and professionalism, prioritizing project continuity.

Compliance, Contracts, and Risk Management

  • Ensure all union activities meet compliance requirements under the NLRA, Davis-Bacon, OSHA, and state labor laws.
  • Track, evaluate, and neutralize labor-related project risks proactively—before they stall progress.
  • Act as an advisor to executive leadership on workforce cost structures and operational alignment.

Team Building & Leadership

  • Following onboarding and performance review, build out a lean but high-output team of Directors/AVPs to scale labor strategy across multiple cities.
  • Mentor direct reports with a clear framework: outcomes over hours, strategy over activity.

Labor Innovation & Education Programs

  • Co-develop new training programs with unions for:
  • IoT plumbing systems
  • Smart electrical/IT integration
  • Modular SmartWalls™ installation
  • TEC HVAC & clean air systems
  • Ensure programs are registered, scalable, and deliver workforce readiness for Urbana-standard construction.

Required Background

  • Juris Doctor (JD) required; active bar preferred.
  • 10+ years in union negotiations, labor law, and contract structuring—5+ years in construction or industrial sectors.
  • Proven track record negotiating high-stakes union contracts for large-scale developments or infrastructure projects.
  • Prior experience with multi-jurisdictional labor compliance (federal, state, local).
  • Hands-on involvement with workforce development and apprenticeship programs preferred.

Key Traits & Competencies

  • Strategic Visionary: You don’t just respond to labor issues—you see around the corner and set the terms.
  • Master Negotiator: You walk into CBAs with leverage, build trust, and walk out with win-win outcomes.
  • Union Insider: Your network includes leadership from the AFL-CIO, Building Trades, and the NLRB.
  • Legal Commander: You know labor law cold—and how to use it to scale, not stall.
  • Integrator: You connect operations, legal, workforce, and development like a true business architect.
  • No-BS Leadership: You deliver results and set the standard. You don’t need hand-holding or bureaucracy.

What You Get

  • High upside via revenue share, tied directly to the national expansion and project delivery milestones.
  • The ability to shape the future of labor, defining entirely new trades and union standards.
  • Real autonomy, zero micromanagement, and the chance to be a core architect of a $10B+ vision.

To Apply:

Only high-caliber candidates with serious experience in union negotiations, construction labor law, and large-scale workforce development should apply. This is a revenue-driven leadership role—not a salaried HR job.