Senior Consultant, Employee and Labour Relations

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Consultant in Employee and Labour Relations to join their dynamic team. In this full-time role, you will engage proactively with human resources and faculty leaders to address complex issues and provide expert advice on labour relations management. You will lead initiatives, coordinate policies, and work closely with legal counsel while fostering positive relationships with staff groups and union officials. This is a unique opportunity to influence organizational practices and contribute to the development of effective labour relations strategies in a collaborative environment. If you are passionate about HR and making a significant impact, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in HR, labour relations, or legal services with collective agreements.
• Expertise in conflict management and grievance handling.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on managing support staff and collective agreements.
• Lead program changes and educate various faculties on HR initiatives.

Skills

Conflict Management

Interpersonal Skills

Project Management

Group Facilitation

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Education

University Degree in Industrial Relations

University Degree in Human Resources

University Degree in Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Employee and Labour Relations within People and Culture is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Consultant.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Employee & Labour Relations, the Senior Consultant, Employee & Labour Relations is responsible for proactively engaging with human resources, as well as operational and faculty leaders to address issues; coordinating, and communicating various complex comprehensive policies, programs, collective agreements and initiatives associated with the different staff groups across the University; providing expert advice to the University community; works closely with People and Culture Centers of Expertise, internal and external legal counsel; provides guidance on grievance management; leads projects, and actively participates in collective bargaining.

The work requires expert knowledge of labour relations management theories and principles, university operations, organizational structure, employment legislation, regulations, policies, programs, and directives; administering processes, experience in collective bargaining, planning, and coordinating the delivery of labour relations programs/services, analyzing issues, formulating labour relations plans and strategies, drafting briefing materials for approval, preparing reports, and providing comprehensive advice to clients and management.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Provide expert recommendations/solutions related to the management of support staff and ensure consistency throughout business practices and interpretation of collective agreement(s)
• Identify and develop required policies, procedures, and documentation related to the management and support staff groups
• Research and prepare briefing materials for approval by the board of governors including bargaining mandates
• Lead and implement program changes across the University including education and communication initiatives to the various faculties and departments
• Provide credible expert advice and consultation, education and support to the team as well as the extended team of Human Resources, staff, and senior leaders on group benefit plans and programs
• Foster and maintain positive and effective problem-solving relationships with the staff groups and union officials
• Participate in bargaining new collective agreements, negotiating letters of understanding, grievance and arbitration settlements and other complex legal agreements.
• Maintain, negotiate, develop, research and prepare bargaining proposals, serve on bargaining teams and implement new collective agreements
• Work with HR Services, employees, and union officials to constructively resolve conflict
• Act as a senior member of the Employee & Labour Relations team, including recommending best practices, coordinating workflow and workloads, and reviewing work to ensure consistency of practices
• Act as a coach/mentor in the training and development of the Employee & Labour Relations team; ensuring the staff develops collegial, positive, high trust working relationships with each other and other key stakeholders both internal and external
• Lead the development and maintenance of educational content and communication tools in a variety of mediums; including the facilitation of orientation and training for managers.
• Responsible for staying abreast of related legislation and jurisprudence to act as an expert resource to Employee & Labour Relations, Human Resources and the University as a whole and ensure prompt and accurate service delivery

Qualifications / Requirements:

• University degree in Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Business, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years experience in human resources, labour relations or legal services interpreting, applying, and administering collective agreement terms
• Demonstrated conflict management skills
• Experience managing grievance and arbitration files, leading or participating in collective bargaining, assisting legal counsel in preparing for and attending quasi-judicial board hearings including the Alberta Labour Relations Board
• In-depth knowledge of labour law principles and jurisprudence
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be a collaborative team member and a service delivery focus
• Demonstrated ability to develop and support the implementation of new programs and policies (including project management) with ongoing evaluation
• Strong verbal and written skills
• Demonstrated group facilitation skills, and ability to help groups reach a consensus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision

Application Deadline: April 19, 2025

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.