Human Resources Business Partner

Firstontario Credit Union Limited; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstOntario Credit Union Limited is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to act as a trusted advisor across the organization. You will lead labour relations, support leaders on performance management, and drive organizational effectiveness through strategic HR initiatives.

The role requires partnering with unionized environments, interpreting collective agreements, and advancing HR programs that improve employee experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years progressive Human Resources experience.
• Significant experience supporting a unionized environment and managing labour relations matters.
• Experience interpreting and administering collective agreements.
• Proven experience partnering with business leaders to solve complex people challenges.
• Experience leading workplace investigations, grievance management, accommodations, and performance management processes.
• Experience driving process improvement and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Experience within financial services, regulated industries, or customer-focused organizations is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Strategic partnership with leaders to align HR guidance with business objectives.
• Lead labour relations matters and interpret collective agreements and employment policies.
• Improve HR processes and use metrics to drive decisions.
• Oversee talent management, recruitment strategies, and workforce planning.
• Ensure compliance with employment standards and health & safety requirements.
• Lead HR projects and initiatives within the People & Culture function.

Skills

Labour relations

Strategic partnership

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Change management

Investigations

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Industrial Relations

CHRP/CHRL/CHRE designation preferred

Job description

Why FirstOntario?

• Competitive compensation packages
• Top-tier health and wellness benefits, including comprehensive benefits packages, a yearly health spending account and personal spending account
• Enhanced mental health benefits through SunLife and TELUS Health
• Exclusive banking benefits
• Up to $1000 per year towards professional development
• Pension Plan
• Flex-work environment
• Company-wide Employee Volunteer program (Blue Wave Program)
• Employee and Family Assistance Program

Job Overview

The Human Resources Business Partner (HR Partner) is a trusted advisor and strategic business partner responsible for supporting leaders and employees across the organization. This role plays a critical part in advancing organizational effectiveness, fostering a positive employee experience, and ensuring alignment between business objectives and people strategies.

The HR Business Partner serves as the lead resource for labour and employee relations matters, partnering closely with leaders to navigate complex workplace situations while ensuring compliance with collective agreements, employment legislation, and organizational policies. In addition, this role drives continuous improvement initiatives, enhances HR processes, identifies opportunities for greater efficiency, and supports key people programs that enable organizational success.

The successful candidate is a highly collaborative, solutions-focused HR professional who balances strategic thinking with operational execution and excels in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership

• Build strong relationships with leaders and provide proactive HR guidance aligned to business objectives.
• Partner with departments to identify workforce challenges and develop people strategies that support organizational goals.
• Coach leaders on performance management, employee engagement, talent development, organizational effectiveness, and change management.
• Analyze workforce trends and provide recommendations to improve organizational performance and employee experience.
• Support organizational change initiatives, restructures, workforce planning, and business transformation efforts.

Labour and Employee Relations

• Act as the primary HR resource for labour relations matters across the organization.
• Interpret and administer collective agreements, organizational policies, and employment legislation.
• Provide strategic advice and support to leaders regarding discipline, attendance management, performance concerns, workplace investigations, accommodations, conflict resolution, and grievance management.
• Participate in grievance meetings and provide support during arbitration preparation and proceedings.
• Partner with union representatives to foster positive labour-management relationships and resolve workplace issues collaboratively.
• Support collective bargaining preparation and negotiations as required.
• Identify and mitigate employee relations risks through proactive recommendations and coaching.

Process Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Continuously evaluate HR processes, policies, and practices to identify opportunities for increased efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Lead and support process improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery and employee experience.
• Utilize HR metrics and data to identify trends, measure outcomes, and inform decision-making.
• Develop and implement streamlined workflows, tools, and resources for leaders and employees.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of HR programs, policies, and procedures.

Talent Management and Employee Experience

• Partner with leaders on recruitment, succession planning, talent assessment, retention strategies, and workforce planning.
• Support performance management processes, including coaching, development planning, and talent reviews.
• Facilitate employee development initiatives and organizational learning programs.
• Drive initiatives that support employee engagement, culture enhancement, and organizational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with employees and leaders to foster an inclusive, respectful, and high-performing workplace.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with employment standards, human rights legislation, occupational health and safety requirements, and organizational policies.
• Conduct workplace investigations and provide recommendations to resolve employee concerns and mitigate organizational risk.
• Support accommodation and return-to-work processes in collaboration with employees, leaders, and external providers.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records related to employee and labour relations matters.

Leadership and Special Projects

• Act as a mentor and resource for HR team members.
• Lead or participate in strategic HR projects and organizational initiatives.
• Support the implementation of new HR programs, technologies, and best practices.
• Contribute to the overall success and continuous evolution of the People & Culture function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or related field.
• CHRP, CHRL, or CHRE designation preferred.
• Minimum 7-10 years progressive Human Resources experience.
• Significant experience supporting a unionized environment and managing labour relations matters.
• Experience interpreting and administering collective agreements.
• Demonstrated success partnering with business leaders to solve complex people and organizational challenges.
• Experience leading workplace investigations, grievance management, accommodations, and performance management processes.
• Proven experience driving process improvement and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Experience within financial services, regulated industries, or customer-focused organizations is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of labour relations principles and employment legislation.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence and coach leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and decision-making skills.