Manager Labour Relations

WorkSafeBC; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 116,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

A safety and health organization in Canada seeks a Manager of Labour Relations to shape employee relations during change. The role involves advising on workplace issues, representing the organization in negotiations, and fostering relationships with union representatives. Ideal candidates will possess a law degree or HR management qualification, alongside five years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary between $116,186 - $141,166 per year, along with comprehensive benefits including a pension plan and development opportunities.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension plan

4 weeks vacation

Customizable health and dental benefits

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in a senior HR role with labour relations experience.
• Experience in a unionized environment.
• Strong knowledge of employment-related legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on collective agreements and grievances.
• Represent WorkSafeBC at grievance hearings and arbitrations.
• Lead collective bargaining efforts and negotiations.
• Build relationships with union representatives.
• Train and mentor People and Culture partners.

Skills

Labour relations expertise

Excellent communication

Negotiation skills

Conflict resolution

Problem-solving

Education

Law degree or HR management qualification

Job description

Overview

WorkSafeBC is looking for a dynamic Manager, Labour Relations to join our People & Culture team. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape our approach to employee and labour relations during a transformative period of change.

In this role, you will act as a trusted advisor to People & Culture Business Partnerships, leadership, and managers on a wide range of workplace issues, including grievances, arbitration, collective bargaining, performance management, human rights, and workplace investigations. You'll also represent WorkSafeBC in negotiations and arbitration, where you will be instrumental in preparing and advancing our position at the bargaining table.

With a strong focus on relationship-building, you will partner with union representatives, senior leaders, and internal stakeholders to foster constructive labour-management relationships. At the same time, you will ensure the fair and consistent application of the collective agreement while exercising discretion, judgment, and diplomacy in a complex, unionized environment.

To succeed in this role, you bring proven expertise in labour relations within a complex, unionized setting, along with strong knowledge of collective agreements, arbitration processes, and employment-related legislation. You are an exceptional communicator and negotiator, with a demonstrated ability to build positive relationships, navigate sensitive issues, and manage them with professionalism and sound judgment.

This is a high-profile role where you\'ll make a meaningful impact by strengthening relationships, guiding change, and shaping the future of labour relations at WorkSafeBC. You\'ll be part of a collaborative and purpose-driven organization committed to supporting workers and employers across British Columbia.

How you\'ll make a difference

You'll build and empower teams that serve workers and employers across B.C.

Where you\'ll work

At WorkSafeBC, we offer a hybrid work model that combines working remotely, and in our offices based on the operational needs of the position.

In this role, you will work primarily from our Richmond Office with some flexibility to work from your home in B.C.

What you\'ll do

• Provide expert guidance to leaders and teams on collective agreement interpretation, grievances, discipline, accommodation, performance management, and related labour relations issues.
• Represent WorkSafeBC at grievance hearings and arbitration, preparing strong, evidence-based arguments and collaborating closely with external counsel as required.
• Lead or support the organization\'s collective bargaining efforts, including preparing bargaining positions, conducting research, negotiating agreements, and participating on bargaining committees.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with union representatives while protecting management rights and ensuring a positive labour relations environment.
• Support contingency planning for essential services and strike preparedness.
• Chair or participate in key joint committees, including bullying and harassment investigations and resolution processes.
• Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to People and Culture partners and managers to build organizational capacity in labour relations.
• Develop reports, briefing notes, and recommendations for senior leadership and the Board on complex labour relations issues.
• Consistently models the appropriate level of organizational behaviours expected of all WorkSafeBC employees: responsive, respectful, fair, collaborative, accountable, and forward thinking.

Is this a good fit for you?

• Provide expertise in labour and employment law, collective agreement interpretation, and grievance/arbitration processes.
• Be part of collective bargaining, including preparing and presenting the organization\'s position.
• Have exceptional communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills with the ability to influence, persuade, and build trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Use judgment and discretion to manage sensitive information and make sound, defensible decisions under pressure.
• Be collaborative, with a service-oriented mindset, coupled with the confidence to represent the organization\'s interests firmly and fairly.
• Be Adaptable and resilient in navigating organizational change

Your background and experience

• A Law degree or undergraduate degree with a specialization in Human Resources management/Labour Relations or a related field and
• 5 years of experience in a senior HR role with experience in Labour Relations and labour and employment law (including collective bargaining, policy development, arbitration/grievance resolution) and
• Being a strategic partner to the business
• Experience working in a unionized environment

We\'ll consider equivalent combinations of education and experience.

Who we are

At WorkSafeBC, we promote safe and healthy workplaces across British Columbia. We partner with workers and employers to save lives and prevent injury, disease, and disability. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, we provide compensation and support injured workers in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We\'re honoured to serve the 2.49 million workers and 263,000 registered employers in our province.

What\'s it like to work at WorkSafeBC?

It\'s challenging, stimulating, and rewarding. Our positions offer diversity and opportunities for professional growth. Every day, the work we do impacts people and changes lives. What we do is important, and so are the people we do it for.

Our ability to make a difference relies on building a team with a rich variety of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences that reflect the diversity of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive work culture where everyone can contribute as their best, authentic self.

Learn more: Discover who we are .

Our benefits

As a member of our team, you\'ll have access to services and benefits that help you get the most out of work - and life. Along with a competitive salary, your total compensation package includes:

• Defined benefit pension plan that provides you with a lifetime monthly pension when you retire
• 4 weeks of vacation in your first year, with regular increases based on years of service
• Benefits package that includes customizable options for health care and dental benefits, additional days off, and a health care spending account
• Optional leave arrangements
• Development opportunities (tuition reimbursement, leadership development, and more)

Learn more: Find out what we offer .

Salary: $116,186 - $141,166/yearly

Want to apply?

• Applications are welcomed immediately; however, must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. PST on the closing date. Please note this posting may close earlier or be extended depending on the volume and suitability of applications received.
• Please note that we will be starting assessments prior to the closing date.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. If you require an accommodation in the assessment process, please emai l Recruitment Testing Accommodation (SM) when you submit your application.