Senior Advisor, Employee & Labour Relations

Calgary Catholic School District; Calgary; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Calgary Catholic School District is seeking a Senior Advisor, Employee & Labour Relations to provide specialized ELR expertise in a complex, multi-union environment.

The Senior Advisor will work with Area Directors and leaders to understand priorities, provide proactive ELR guidance, and maintain full carriage of complex ER matters from assessment through resolution. A CP...

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
• CPHR designation preferred.
• 7–10 years in employee and labour relations within a complex unionized environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice on employee and labour relations matters including grievances, investigations, and claims.
• Partner with leaders to understand priorities and emerging people issues and advise accordingly.
• Maintain carriage of complex ER matters from assessment to resolution.
• Develop file strategy, negotiate resolutions, and support mediation/arbitration.
• Interpret collective agreements, legislation, and policies to support defensible decisions.
• Build relationships with unions and support labour‑management relations.
• Collaborate across People Services and with Legal Services on complex matters.
• Identify emerging issues and contribute to organizational initiatives.

Skills

ELR expertise

Policy interpretation

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Discretion

Education

Bachelors in HR/Related

CPHR designation

Job description

Senior Advisor, Employee & Labour Relations – Posting Language

Calgary Catholic School District is seeking a Senior Advisor, Employee & Labour Relations to provide specialized employee and labour relations expertise in a complex, multi-union environment.

This role combines deep technical ELR expertise with a practical, partnership-oriented approach to supporting school, Area, and system leaders. The Senior Advisor maintains full carriage of complex employee and labour relations matters, provides clear and risk-informed advice, and works closely with Area Directors and other leaders to understand operational priorities, workforce challenges, and emerging people issues.

As a member of the Labour Relations & People Partnerships team, the Senior Advisor also works collaboratively across People Services, with Legal Services, and with union and association representatives to support coordinated, sustainable workplace outcomes.

About the Role

This is a senior practitioner role for an experienced employee and labour relations professional who brings sound judgment, strong technical capability, and confidence navigating complex workplace matters.

The Senior Advisor will:

• Provide advice, guidance, and support on employee and labour relations matters including collective agreement administration, performance management, discipline, attendance, accommodation, conflict, and organizational change.
• Partner with Area Directors and other school and system leaders to understand operational priorities, workforce challenges, and emerging people issues, providing proactive ELR advice and connecting broader People Services expertise where required.
• Maintain full carriage of complex employee and labour relations matters from assessment through resolution, including grievances, workplace investigations, human rights and employment-related claims, and other disputes.
• Develop file strategy, provide recommendations, negotiate resolutions, and support mediation, arbitration, and other proceedings as required.
• Interpret and apply collective agreements, legislation, administrative procedures, policy, and organizational practices to support practical and defensible decision‑making.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with union and association representatives and support effective labour‑management relations.
• Work collaboratively across People Services, including staffing, disability management, leaves, compensation, and classification, to support coordinated responses to complex people matters.
• Partner with Legal Services and external counsel on complex or high‑risk matters, bringing ELR expertise and organizational context to strategy and resolution.
• Identify emerging issues, patterns, and systemic risks and contribute to initiatives that strengthen organizational and People Services outcomes.
• Support leaders in building capability and confidence in people leadership through consultation, coaching, education, tools, and practical support.
• Participate in collective bargaining and related activities, including preparation, research, proposal analysis, costing, negotiations, and implementation.
• Contribute to shared practice, knowledge exchange, and consistency across the Employee & Labour Relations team.
• Lead or contribute to People Services projects, working groups, and organizational initiatives where ELR expertise or client partnership is required.

What You Bring

• Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related discipline; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation preferred.
• Significant progressive experience, typically seven (7) to ten (10) years, in employee and labour relations, human resources, or a related field within a complex unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex grievances, workplace investigations, performance and discipline matters, accommodations, and other sensitive employee relations issues.
• Experience advising operational and senior leaders and working collaboratively with unions, People Services colleagues, and Legal Services.
• Strong knowledge of collective agreement administration and applicable labour, employment, human rights, privacy, education, and related legislation.
• Sound judgment and the ability to assess risk, develop options, and provide clear recommendations in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Strong relationship‑building, consultation, negotiation, investigation, facilitation, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to influence and build alignment across organizational and functional boundaries.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze workplace issues and balance employee, operational, organizational, collective agreement, legislative, and values‑based considerations to achieve practical, sustainable outcomes.
• High degree of discretion, professionalism, and political acuity in complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration, or related labour relations experience is considered an asset.

Total Rewards

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package that includes participation in LAPP, a defined benefit pension plan, District‑paid health and wellness benefits, a Health & Wellness Spending Account, enhanced vacation and holiday provisions including extended Christmas and Easter breaks, seasonal summer work schedule enhancements, and ongoing professional development support.