Senior Employee Relations Consultant

Sun Life Financial; Montreal; Hybrid; CAD 78,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Consultant to support HR strategies and address complex employee issues. This role involves advising on performance management, conducting investigations, and collaborating with HR partners. Candidates should have a background in HR or law, strong conflict management skills, and be bilingual in French and English to engage with diverse teams across Canada.

Benefits

Flexible Benefits

Pension and stock programs

Wellness programs

Friendly and inclusive culture

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in employee relations, employment law or related field.
• Excellent knowledge of employment and Human Rights legislation.
• Bilingual in French and English required for interactions across Canada.

Responsibilities

• Advise management and employees on complex employee relations issues.
• Conduct workplace investigations and manage complaints effectively.
• Develop and communicate Employee Relations policies to support the organization.

Skills

Client relationship management

Consulting

Coaching

Conflict management

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Education

Post-secondary education in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or Law

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

The Employee Relations team advises managers, employees, and Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs) on a wide range of complex employee relations issues, as well as contributing to designated HR practices across the organization.

The Senior Employee Relations Consultant (ERC) works in partnership with all levels of employees and leaders in addressing specific, individual employment-related matters, including performance and attendance issues, harassment and discrimination complaints, accommodation requests, status changes, work-site relocations, and the termination of employment.

This function also partners with other members of the broader Human Resources team and related functions to deliver timely solutions that support the business and ensure employees are treated fairly and in accordance with both Company practices and policies, as well as external employment legislation.

What will you do?

• Understand and support the development and execution of HR strategy for Canadian employees

• Support understanding of and compliance with existing Employee Relations policies and practices, including performance management, absence management, accommodation, employment and human rights legislation, corporate restructurings, and conflict management

• Identify and make recommendations for improvements to existing Employee Relations processes to support proactive and timely responses to identified issues and trends within supported a business unit or across the Company

• Provide timely, creative, and relevant Employee Relations advice to people leaders in assigned business units that appropriately balances business needs against individual employee issues/ concerns and ensures compliance with relevant employment legislation

• Contribute to the development, implementation, and communication of new Employee Relations policies and processes that support the success of the organization

• Provide expertise and advice to business leaders, HRBPs, and other HR colleagues on the employment implications of business unit changes

• Manage and resolve complaints by individual employees and external parties to the point of involvement by external lawyers

• Conduct workplace investigations into concerns raised by employees and support the implementation of any outcomes following the conclusion of such investigations

• Work with the Legal Department in addressing and resolving external complaints from lawyers, tribunals, and courts

• Lead or participate in special projects and teams as assigned

What do you need to succeed?

• Post-secondary education, preferably in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or Law

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in employee relations, employment law or a related field

• Excellent knowledge of employment and Human Rights legislation and related trends and practices

• Client relationship management skills

• Consulting and coaching skills

• Track record of delivering services in a high-quality manner

• Excellent interpersonal, conflict management, and communication skills

• Collaborative and creative approach to problem solving

• Demonstrated ability to support a positive team environment and to contribute to team development and transfer of knowledge

• High degree of judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive information

• Ability to work well independently while prioritizing multiple tasks and priorities

• PC literate and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

• Bilingualism (French, English, both oral and written) is required for the frequent interactions with English and French-speaking colleagues or internal partners across Canada and worldwide

What’s in it for you?

• Being a member of the Sun Life family, a group of people united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives

• A friendly, collaborative and inclusive culture

• Flexible Benefits from the day you join to meet the needs of you and your family

• Pension, stock and savings programs to help build and enhance your future financial security

• Wellness programs that support the three pillars of your health – mental, physical and financial

*LI-NB1

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our Clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to [e-mail] .

We are proud to be a hybrid organization that offers our employees the choice and flexibility to work from both the office and virtually based on the needs of the business, our Clients and you! Several work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary Range:

78,000/78 000 - 128,000/128 000

Job Category:

Human Resources

Posting End Date:

04/07/2025