Senior Director, Labour and Employee Relations

University of Ottawa; Gatineau; On-site; CAD 157,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Canadian university in Gatineau seeks a strategic leader in Human Resources to manage labour relations and negotiations. The role entails developing frameworks and policies while fostering a positive climate with stakeholders. Candidates should possess a master's degree and over 10 years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary within the range of $157,606.00 to $197,007.00, and emphasizes the importance of an inclusive environment.

Benefits

Pension plan

Comprehensive benefits package

Training and development programs

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in a leadership capacity related to labour relations.
• Extensive experience in collective agreement interpretation and grievance/arbitration process management.
• Exceptional ability to influence others.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations with administrative groups governed by collective agreements.
• Foster positive labour relations climate with administrative unions.
• Oversee a team of labour relations experts.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Bilingualism

Education

Master’s degree in Industrial Relations or related field

Graduate of Bachelor of common or civil law

Job description

Posting Reason

Permanent - Replacement

Job Type

Employee

Job Family

Labour and Faculty Relations

Faculty/Service - Department

Office of the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources

Campus

Main Campus

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD)

2025/12/03

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/01/06

Salary range

$157,606.00 - $197,007.00

Our Human Resources team is recognized for its collaboration and service excellence. Through the development of strategic partnerships, our dynamic team supports uOttawa’s vision and strategic plan by creating and delivering high-quality, innovative, and client-centered HR programs and services. Our focus is to attract, develop, retain, and inspire a talented, diverse, healthy, and engaged workforce. If you want to be part of an impactful team, work in a rewarding and enriching environment and have an innovative mindset, our HR team is the place where you belong!

Position purpose

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources, this role is accountable for the development, implementation and evaluation of organizational frameworks, policies, plans and programs related to labour and staff relations at the University of Ottawa. As a change agent in the Human Resources team, brings best practices in Labour Relations, as well as an innovative, collaborative and strategic approach to all labour relations initiatives. Acts as the chief negotiator on the University’s important labour relations files and as a strategic partner that provides advice and expertise to all faculties and services in order to ensure consistency and efficiency in the resolution of complex labour relations matters while ensuring adherence to collective agreements and all relevant legislation.

Leads partnership-building and liaison initiatives among Employee and Staff Relations, Academic Affairs, the Human Rights Office, the Legal Counsel Office and the Privacy Office, with the objective of aligning strategic directions favouring a strong work climate, and ensuring that best practices are employed as it relates to compliance. Effectively leverages these partnerships for the purpose of resolving conflict at all levels.

In collaboration with all sectors of Human Resources, develops innovative strategies and continuous improvement initiatives towards attaining key strategic objectives and global university priorities, and ensures their execution.

Responsibilities

• As Chief Negotiator provides leadership and expertise in liaison and negotiations with all administrative groups governed by collective agreements, as well as in consultation with staff associations, while espousing a consistent guiding principle of early intervention. Plays an active role in academic collective bargaining.
• Plays a key role in establishing good communications and fostering a positive labour relations climate with administrative unions and employee associations.
• Acts as a strategic collaborator that provides services such as representation, support and advice for complex labour and employment related matters including the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, collective bargaining, grievance handling and resolution, mediation and arbitration, conflict investigation and resolution, discipline and performance management for all staff. Liaises with Legal Counsel on employment matters.
• Manages a team of labour relations experts whose mandate is to address files of strategic importance related to individual and collective disputes. Oversees ongoing special projects and analyses. Guides and coaches team members, and ensures the consistent application of set guiding principles across file resolution performed by all members of the Employee and Staff Relations team.
• Ensures that ongoing changes in legislation related to employer rights and obligations are incorporated into mission-critical decision-making which aligns with the strategic direction of labour relations.
• Leads the internal preparation cycle for collective agreement negotiation, with the objective of ensuring optimum positioning and favourable outcomes.
• Leads the governance of all HR policies and methods, ensures the update and maintenance as well as consultation with administrative union groups and staff association.

What you will bring

• Master’s degree, preferably in Industrial Relations or an advanced degree in a related field or an acceptable equivalence of education and experience
• Graduate of Bachelor of common or civil law is an asset
• Ten (10) years of experience in a leadership capacity related to labour relations and employment law
• Extensive experience in engaging union leadership, collective agreement interpretation and advising along with grievance/arbitration process management experience.
• Ten (10) years of experience as chief negotiator in collective bargaining (asset)
• Familiarity with and respect for collegial organizational culture is critical, as is the demonstrated ability to lead in an inclusive, collaborative and consensus-building style
• Experience working with complex costing methodologies such as pension and benefits issues at the negotiating table
• Knowledge of strategic and tactical problem-solving approaches and an ability to convert strategic objectives into tangible action plans and results.
• Experience in strategic planning and project management
• Experience in mediation and facilitation
• Exceptional ability to influence others
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong communication, relationship building and listening skills
• Ability to work under pressure and stress and adhere to strict deadlines
• Demonstrated proactive client service focus
• Awareness of and sensitivity to diversity
• Bilingualism (written and oral expression) essential

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [e-mail]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.