Human Resources Labour Relations Manager

AccessHR; Red Deer; On-site; CAD 119,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health coverage

Dental care

Travel insurance

Health spending accounts

Lifestyle spending accounts

Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)

Relocation support

Job summary

The City of Red Deer, in partnership with AccessHR, seeks a Human Resources Manager, Business Advisory Services to lead labour relations and advisory services in a complex, unionized municipal setting. You will report to the Chief People Officer and guide a team of six while collaborating with employees, leaders, City Council, and bargaining unit executives.

The role emphasizes strengthening labour relations governance, driving strategic HR initiatives, and supporting transformation while

Qualifications

• Degree in HR, Labour Relations, Business, Social Sciences, or related field.
• 8+ years' progressive Labour Relations experience, with hands-on involvement in collective bargaining and labour management.
• 5+ years’ experience in Human Resources leadership roles.
• Experience working within large, complex, and evolving public sector organizations.
• Experience interacting with boards of directors and/or municipal councils.

Responsibilities

• Support collective bargaining processes, liaise with union executive and management, and develop and maintain grievance resolution, mediation, and arbitration processes.
• Introduce and deliver innovative programs and initiatives to support strategic priorities, in alignment with the City’s guiding principles and long‑term workforce needs, while supporting ongoing transformation and change initiatives.
• Lead, develop, and coach the HR advisory team; support workforce planning, succession development, organizational redesign, and the successful implementation of change initiatives across departments.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders; guide the HR advisory team on employee relations matters, including performance management, leadership transitions, organizational design, and conflict management.
• Create and monitor budgets, analyze trends, allocate resources, and evaluate outcomes against KPIs.
• Oversee the development and implementation of HR policies and programs, while ensuring compliance with all related legislation.
• Foster trusted partnerships across HR functions, Centres of Excellence, operational leaders, and unions; promote a respectful, inclusive, psychologically safe, and high‑performing workplace culture.
• Promote and support a safe and healthy workplace by ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety legislation, corporate policies, training, and safe work practices while demonstrating leadership and accountability for workplace safety initiatives.

Skills

Labour relations

Union negotiations

Change management

Leadership

Communication

Integrity

Collaboration

Servant leadership

Education

Degree in HR/ Labour Relations or related field

CPHR designation or eligible

Municipal government experience

Job description

AccessHR is excited to partner with The City of Red Deer for the recruitment of a full-time, permanent Human Resources Manager, Business Advisory Services, with a primary focus on labour relations leadership in a complex, unionized environment.

ABOUT RED DEER

Located in Central Alberta along the QEII Highway corridor, Red Deer is strategically positioned between Calgary and Edmonton, making it an important economic, service, and transportation hub for the province. With a population of approximately 100,000 residents and a regional trading area serving more than 300,000 people, Red Deer continues to experience steady growth driven by its diverse economy, strong business community, and exceptional quality of life.

Red Deer is known for offering the amenities of a larger urban centre while maintaining the accessibility, affordability, and sense of community of a mid-sized city. The community features extensive parks and trail systems, vibrant arts and cultural opportunities, excellent recreational facilities, and a strong network of educational and healthcare services.

Red Deer also provides excellent access to Central Alberta’s lakes, outdoor recreation, and mountain destinations. Its central location, growing economy, and highly livable environment continue to attract professionals, families, and businesses from across Canada.

ABOUT THE CITY OF RED DEER MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

The City of Red Deer is a progressive municipal government with an operating budget of ~$480 million, a capital budget of ~$60 million, and ~1,700 employees including full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers. Employees are the cornerstone of the organization and the City is seeking creative, skilled, and forward-thinking individuals as the organization grows and realigns to that growth.

Guided by Red Deer’s commitment to a unified community vision, “Our City, One Voice”, the City is dedicated to building a strong and resilient community. The City of Red Deer’s Strategic Plan is centered around three key focus areas: a Thriving City, Community Health & Wellbeing, and a Connected & Engaged City. Last but not least, the vision for 2050 is that Red Deer is vibrant and visionary, grounded in connection, and growing in diversity.

Recognizing that its employees are fundamental to actualizing the above, the City values the diverse experiences, perspectives, skills, and talents that individuals bring to the organization. This commitment to diversity and inclusion helps foster a workplace culture where individual, team, and organizational successes are recognized and celebrated.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

In this newly created role, the Human Resources Manager, Business Advisory Services, reports directly to the Chief People Officer and is a key member of the HR leadership team. Primary focuses for the role will be oversight of HR advisory services along with strategic and operational leadership for the City’s labour relations function.

The Manager leads a team of 6 individuals and works in close partnership with employees, leaders, senior executives, City Council, and bargaining unit executives.

This opportunity is well suited for an experienced labour relations leader with public sector and bargaining experience who enjoys balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on involvement in complex files. You will spend a sizable portion of your time strengthening labour relations practices and governance and facilitating the resolution of complex employee relations matters.

In addition, you will play a key role in supporting the organization through a significant period of transformation and organizational change. Success in this role will require deep labour relations and change management expertise, along with the ability to help leaders and employees navigate evolving priorities, processes, and ways of working.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Labour Relations: Support collective bargaining processes, liaise with union executive and management, and develop and maintain grievance resolution, mediation, and arbitration processes.
• Strategic Human Resources: Introduce and deliver innovative programs and initiatives to support strategic priorities, in alignment with the City’s guiding principles and long‑term workforce needs, while supporting ongoing transformation and change initiatives.
• Leadership & Organizational Development: Lead, develop, and coach the HR advisory team; support workforce planning, succession development, organizational redesign, and the successful implementation of change initiatives across departments.
• Employee Relations: Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders; guide the HR advisory team on employee relations matters, including performance management, leadership transitions, organizational design, and conflict management.
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation: Create and monitor budgets, analyze trends, allocate resources, and evaluate outcomes against KPIs.
• Human Resources Governance: Oversee the development and implementation of HR policies and programs, while ensuring compliance with all related legislation.
• Collaboration & Culture: Foster trusted partnerships across HR functions, Centres of Excellence, operational leaders, and unions; promote a respectful, inclusive, psychologically safe, and high‑performing workplace culture.
• Health & Safety: Promote and support a safe and healthy workplace by ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety legislation, corporate policies, training, and safe work practices while demonstrating leadership and accountability for workplace safety initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Political, Media & Organizational Savvy: Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and awareness of the complexities of the public sector environment; effectively navigates organizational dynamics, competing priorities, and sensitive issues while building credibility and maintaining relationships.
• Community Driven: Focuses on community and public service; ensures decisions are community-driven and looks for compromise in difficult situations.
• Collaboration: Shares information and ideas appropriately with direct reports, peers, and leaders; encourages collaborative and inclusive relationships and breaks down silos to support consistent employee and labour relations practices.
• Integrity: Leads by example, demonstrating integrity, humility, and ethical behaviour in both actions and decisions.
• Negotiation & Diplomacy: Exemplary interpersonal and negotiation skills; resolves conflicts and achieves consensus among stakeholders; above all else, builds trust.
• Labour Relations & Compliance Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of collective agreements, employment laws, regulations, and compliance requirements; ensures HR and LR practices & policies meet legal standards to mitigate risk.
• Exceptional Communicator: Encourages open dialogue; actively listens and asks, “tell me more” and “help me understand” questions; communicates clearly and checks in to ensure full comprehension; straightforward and truthful even in challenging situations.
• Personal Attributes: Approachable, curious, and adaptable; builds trust through empathy and openness; genuinely appreciates where each person adds value; a true Servant Leader.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• 8+ years' progressive Labour Relations experience, with hands‑on involvement in collective bargaining and labour management.
• 5+ years’ experience in Human Resources leadership roles.
• Experience working within large, complex, and evolving public sector organizations.
• Experience interacting with boards of directors and/or municipal councils.

ASSETS

• CPHR designation or eligibility to obtain the designation in Alberta.
• Municipal government work experience.
• Mid‑to‑senior-level leadership experience in the public sector.
• Experience serving as a chief spokesperson or lead negotiator during collective bargaining.
• Advanced education or certification in change management, project management, and/or business administration.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive total compensation package, including a base salary range of $118,834 to $148,543.
• Extended health coverage, dental care, and travel insurance.
• Health spending and lifestyle spending accounts.
• Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP); match + 1%.
• Generous paid time off plans.
• Relocation Support.

Total Compensation: The City of Red Deer is committed to fair, equitable, and market-aligned compensation for all of their employees. Actual compensation for an individual may vary depending on many factors, including skills, performance over time, business needs, qualifications, experience, and location.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Work on‑site at City of Red Deer a minimum of 4 days/week.
• Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours to support business needs.

The position posting will close at 6:00 pm on August 17th, 2026.

All applicants will receive a personalized response, and candidates under consideration will be contacted directly. If you require adjustments or accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process, we encourage you to let us know.

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking. The City of Red Deer is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe workplace where differences are valued. We encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, marital statuses, family statuses, races, ancestry, place of origin, source of income abilities, neurodivergent identities, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and religious beliefs. All qualified applicants are considered fairly and without discrimination in accordance with applicable human rights legislation.