Manager, Employee & Labour Relations

Okanagan Hockey Group; Kelowna; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Manager for Employee & Labour Relations in Kelowna. This role involves overseeing labour relations, recruitment, performance management, and collaboration with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Human Resources and have significant experience in HR or labour relations, along with strong leadership and communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary and the possibility of remote work after orientation.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in labour relations or HR, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience handling grievances, union consultations, and labour negotiations.
• Ability to work independently and handle sensitive, confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Oversee labour relations, recruitment & selection, job design & evaluation.
• Lead grievance management process and support business partners.
• Cultivate a high-performance team environment and drive engagement.

Skills

Strong leadership and management skills

Strategic thinking and planning

Proven ability to build relationships

Negotiation and problem-solving skills

Strong communication skills

Knowledge of labour relations and legislation

Proficiency in MS Office and HRIS software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

Advanced degree or professional designation (e.g., CHRP)

Tools

HRIS software

Job description

Manager, Employee & Labour Relations

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

Position Details

Position Number: S01175

Position Title: Manager, Employee & Labour Relations

Location: Kelowna (primary campus); remote work 1-2 days per week after successful completion of orientation and onboarding.

Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, regular business hours, with additional hours and flexibility required to meet responsibilities.

Appointment Type: Exempt – Continuing Full‑time

Annual Salary/Hourly Rate: $92,139 – $135,137 (Typical hiring range $110,567–$122,852)

Desired Start Date: 11/03/2025

About Okanagan College

Okanagan College has been embedded in the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the region for over a half‑century. The institution provides post‑secondary education and training to the Okanagan, Shuswap and Similkameen regions and has a strong reputation for excellence in learning and teaching through its wide range of academic, career, continuing education, developmental, trades and vocational programs.

The Role

Under the limited direction of the Associate Director, People Services, the Manager, Employee & Labour Relations oversees labour relations, recruitment & selection, job design & evaluation (BCGEU Support Staff), performance management & change management strategies and operations for Okanagan College. The position plays a critical role in maintaining positive labour‑management relations and leads a team of generalist People Services business partners and associates.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Manage delivery of labour relations, basic recruitment & staffing functions, job design & evaluation (BCGEU Support Staff), performance management, and change management; develop and implement annual operational plans and service delivery models.
• Provide leadership and supervision for a team of generalist People Services business partners; supervise recruitment, orientation, training, staff development, performance management, and employee health, safety and wellbeing.
• Provide technical expertise and operational guidance to business partners and clients on labour relations matters.
• Cultivate a high‑performance team environment by empowering staff, driving engagement, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and service excellence.
• Conduct regular program reviews and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in design, delivery and employee experience.

Collective Bargaining / Labour Relations Management

• Support the Associate Director in preparation and execution of collective bargaining; compile data, draft proposals and identify strategic priorities.
• Participate in negotiations as required, acting as a subject‑matter expert and advisor.
• Support development and execution of college‑wide labour relations strategies and initiatives.
• Provide advice and guidance to leaders in support of management and resolution of complex labour relations cases.
• Provide timely direction on interpretation, application and administration of exempt terms, collective agreements, employment policies, and relevant legislation.
• Maintain records of collective agreements, negotiations, legal opinions and arbitration decisions.
• Review and audit labour relations and employee practices; identify discrepancies or departures from policy and recommend improvements.
• Ensure labour‑relations issues related to attendance, disability, accommodations and return‑to‑work processes are addressed consistently and proactively.

Grievance Management

• Lead the grievance management process across the organization.
• Support business partners in investigating, responding to, and resolving grievances at Step 1 of the process.
• Provide expert guidance on Step 2 resolutions.
• Represent the employer in complex grievance discussions, mediations and arbitrations.
• Track trends and develop strategies to reduce disputes.

Union‑Management Consultation Committees

• Lead and coordinate regular consultation committee meetings on behalf of the College.
• Collaborate with internal partners in conducting meetings and addressing issues raised.
• Promote open communication and foster a collaborative labour relations environment.

Policy Development and Interpretation

• Lead the development, review and implementation of policies and procedures related to labour relations.
• Collaborate with the People Services team on other policy development and implementation.
• Provide expert advice on policy interpretation and alignment with agreements and legislation.
• Assist in educating leaders and staff on policy changes and best practices.

Recruitment & Selection

• Provide guidance on effective assessment and selection techniques and tools.
• Support business partners in recruitment and selection services.
• Oversee onboarding of senior managers.

Job Design & Job Evaluation

• Provide guidance on effective job design techniques and processes.
• Support business partners on job design and BCGEU support staff evaluation services.
• Lead development of effective job design tools for all positions.
• Oversee job design and evaluation administration for BCGEU support staff.
• Liaise with Disability Management, Benefits and Wellbeing for exempt classification processes.

Performance Management

• Guide leaders on performance management and corrective disciplinary action up to dismissal.
• Lead development and implementation of performance evaluation and management tools.
• Develop or oversee training programs and resources for managers and supervisors.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Labour Studies or related field; advanced degree or professional designation (e.g., CHRP) preferred.
• Minimum 5‑7 years of progressive experience in labour relations or HR, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience handling grievances, union consultations, and labour negotiations.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with unions, leaders, and staff at all levels.
• Strategic thinking, planning, analytical, negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of labour relations, legislation, collective bargaining frameworks and dispute resolution.
• Solid working knowledge of recruitment, selection, job design and evaluation, performance management and change management.
• Ability to work independently and handle sensitive, confidential information.
• Proficiency in MS Office and HRIS software; manage high work volume and multiple competing projects.
• Professional demeanor with proactive, solution‑focused approach.

Preferred Qualifications

None stated beyond the preferred qualifications listed above.

Benefits

Competitive salary within the stated range, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities and a supportive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Okanagan College is an equal opportunity employer and takes proactive and intentional action to foster a campus that is welcoming and inclusive for all individuals, including those from marginalized communities.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and references. Additional optional documents may be provided. Applicants should prepare to participate in multiple assessment activities including initial screening, panel interviews, simulations and presentations. Verifiable evidence (work samples, references) must support all information provided. An appointment will not be made without relevant references in support of final assessments.

Documents Needed To Apply

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• References

Optional Documents

• Credentials/Transcripts
• Other Document 1
• Other Document 2

Supplemental Questions

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Aboriginaljobboard.ca
  • academicacareers.ca
  • AcademicCareers.com
  • Academy of Management
  • Accelerate Okanagan
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • BCCPA.ca
  • BCLA.bc.ca
  • castanet.net
  • CAUT
  • CICAN
  • collegesinstitutes.ca
  • educationcanada.com
  • Eluta
  • Facebook
  • family/friend referral
  • Higher Education
  • HRMA.ca
  • ica.bc.ca
  • indeed.ca
  • IndigenousCareers.org
  • Indigenous.link
  • Job Bank
  • kijiji.ca
  • linkedin.com
  • Newsletter/E-subscribe
  • Newspaper
  • okanagan.bc.ca
  • payroll.ca
  • Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC)
  • Tradestrainingbc.ca
  • universityaffairs.ca
  • WorkBC.ca
• What is the highest level of education attained?
  • GED
  • High School Diploma
  • Diploma/Trade
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • PhD
• * Do you currently work, or have you worked for Okanagan College?
  • Yes
  • No
• If yes, please enter your 9-digit employee ID#.
  • Open Ended Question