Manager Labor Control

Union Labor Manager

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry's largest network of experts, Freeman's insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 97-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.

Freeman is searching for an individual with strong leadership and communication skills to manage union labor for all venues in and around Chicago, to ensure good labor relations with each Collective Bargaining Unit, and to drive performance, product, and procedure improvements for our workforce. This position will support our Event & Exhibit Services team. The position follows an in-person schedule working full-time in-office and / or show-site based out of Chicago, IL.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of collective bargaining unit employees, ensuring performance excellence through effective hiring, scheduling, coaching, and accountability.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of all applicable union contracts and apply that expertise to foster collaboration, resolve issues, and uphold compliance.
• Serve as the primary liaison with McCormick Place to navigate and resolve labor jurisdiction matters professionally and efficiently.
• Oversee the maintenance and distribution of all customer servicebranded signage to ensure a consistent and professional Freeman presence across events.
• Uphold company standards by ensuring all union employees adhere to Freeman policiesespecially those related to customer service, appearance, and attendance.
• Ensure all mandatory training is scheduled, completed, and documented for every union employee, maintaining a culture of continuous improvement and safety.
• Manage and schedule union foremen across all active events, balancing labor resources to meet event timelines and client expectations.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Operations, Operations Supervisors, and Growth teams to forecast labor needs for each event, placing labor calls for all nonconvention center work.
• Review and submit union employee time sheets to payroll accurately and on time.
• Support the accuracy and management of event projections within the Labor Budgeting Tool (LBT), providing insight and oversight where needed.
• Track and document employee performance, including warnings and incident reports, to support consistent and fair progressive discipline.
• Coordinate all out-of-town union travel logistics, ensuring smooth communication and cost efficiency.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

Education & Experience

Strong communication, organizational, motivational, and delegation skills. Three to five years experience in show site operations. Minimum two years of management experience. Union experience required. Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to relate and conduct theoretical discussions as applicable to specific technical topics. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems quickly and effectively.

What We Offer

Freeman provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.

Diversity Commitment

At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. #LI-Onsite