Senior Manager or Director, Labour Relations

British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 124,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

The British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association seeks a Senior Manager or Director, Labour Relations to provide expert advice to BC’s public school districts. This role involves managing labour relations issues, fostering strong relationships with school district leadership, and conducting training for sector-wide initiatives. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in labour relations within the public education sector, supported by advanced qualifications.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Training and professional development opportunities

Hybrid work schedule

Qualifications

• The Senior Manager, Labour Relations possesses an undergraduate degree in a related field.
• The Director, Labour Relations possesses a master's degree in a related field or law degree.
• 4 years of experience in providing senior-level labour relations advice and support for Senior Manager.
• 7 years of experience for Director in providing senior-level labour relations advice and support.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert labour relations and human resources advice to BC’s 60 public school districts.
• Work as part of a team of labour relations professionals, advising school districts on unionized workplace issues.
• Maintain strong relationships with school district leadership and human resources teams.

Skills

Labour relations expertise

Communication skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in a related field

Master’s degree or law degree

Job description

British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association

Senior Manager or Director, Labour Relations

The BC Public School Employers’ Association is seeking an experienced professional to provide expert labour relations and human resources advice to BC’s 60 public school districts, at either the Senior Manager or Director level.

The Senior Manager/Director, Labour Relations provides senior-level labour relations advice and support to school districts to enable the effective application of collective agreements and employment legislation. In this role, you will work as part of a team of labour relations professionals who are the primary liaisons assigned to a client group of school districts. You will provide school districts with practical advice on the full spectrum of unionized workplace issues, including performance management, statutory and contractual interpretation, and grievance management.

Acting as a trusted advisor, the Senior Manager/Director maintains strong, collaborative and robust relationships with school district leadership and human resources teams while proactively identifying local labour relations trends and their potential provincial impact.This role fosters respectful labour relationships with provincial-level unions and encourages the same from school districts through a collaborative, progressive approach to labour relations with a focus on shared success over the long-term.

In this position, you will contribute to and lead sector-wide initiatives, supporting projects and committees of moderate to high complexity, and developing and delivering labour relations training and resources.

Education and experience
The Senior Manager, Labour Relations possesses an undergraduate degree in a related field, and 4 years’ experience in providing senior-level labour relations advice and support.
The Director, Labour Relations possesses a master’s degree in a related field or law degree, and 7 years’ experience in providing senior-level labour relations advice and support.
Experience in labour relations may be substituted for education. Experience in the K-12 public education sector and/or public sector is preferred.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Extensive knowledgeof key British Columbia legislation, along with acomprehensive understandingof working in unionized environments and with collective agreements, core labour relations documents, key arbitration cases, and key labour relations themes.
• Advanced expertisein labour relations, with a proven ability to analyze and advise on complex issues, draft labour relations documents, negotiate with union representatives, and work effectively with key partners.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely across various formats and deliver compelling presentations on labour relations topics.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, demonstrating the capacity to manage multiple priorities efficiently and work independently with minimal or no supervision.
• Knowledge of sectoral context, including school district operations, is a strong asset.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits
The expected starting salary range for the Senior Manager, Labour Relations position is $124,307 - $135,275.

The expected starting salary range for the Director, Labour Relations position is $138,452 - $150,668.

The final agreed upon salary may vary based on factors such as job-related knowledge, skills and experience.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including extended health, dental and a $2,000 annual wellness allowance, as well as participation in the Municipal Pension Plan.

Hybrid Structure
We offer a hybrid work schedule with the option for remote work for the majority of the work week. For this role, full remote work for applicants outside of the lower mainland is an option.

Training
We offer staff regular training and support for professional development opportunities. As part of our ongoing commitment to foster a safe and inclusive workplace, all staff will be provided with: Reconciliation; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Respect in the Workplace training as part of their onboarding with us.

Reconciliation
The BCPSEA office is located at 300 – 2889 East 12th Avenue in Vancouver on the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),Skwxwú7mesh(Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Our work spans across the Province of BC, which is home to thousands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across British Columbia, each with unique traditions, history, and culture. We are committed to Reconciliation and to strong Indigenous partnerships and relationships.

Inclusivity
We are an inclusive and accessible employer. Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are embedded in our organizational goals. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including Indigenous, Black, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQIA+, and persons with disabilities.

Accommodations are available for interviews and in the workplace. If selected for an interview, we will provide you with information on how to request accommodations.

Who are we?
BC Public School Employers’ Association provides trusted sectoral leadership in collective, bargaining, labour relations, and human resources within BC's public education school sector. Through our services, support, advice, and professional learning offerings we work together with school districts, government, and our partners to ensure the success of the public education system.

How to apply
We invite qualified individuals to apply online at https://buff.ly/S8vAPpJ with a cover letter and résumé by Friday, August 15, 2025. For questions about this role, please email Chris Beneteau, Executive Director, Labour Relations at [e-mail].