Director, Labour Relations, HR Advisory Services and Employee Health

What does this role look like?

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is the largest school board in western Canada with over 125,000 students and 15,000 employees. Our mission: Each student, in keeping with their individual abilities and gifts, will complete high school with a foundation of learning necessary to thrive in life, work and continued learning.  We pride ourselves in the values we hold. Students come first. Learning is our central purpose. Public education serves the common good. The CBE encourages an inclusive and equitable workplace, which supports our diverse student and employee community.  We encourage all applicants to join our dynamic, diverse, and collaborative culture and welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

When you apply to the CBE, you can feel good about serving our future leaders and contributing to student success.

What does this role look like?

The CBE understands the future of work is flexible.  In this role, you are eligible to participate in a flexible work program that allows you to work remotely for up to three days a week.  A minimum of two days must be in the office.  At certain times, you maybe be required to work in the office more then 2 days per week based on operational requirements.

Reporting to the Superintendent, Human Resources, you are responsible for leading the Employee and Labour Relations (ER/LR) practice across the organization including accountability for collective bargaining and client HR advisory services. You will create and deliver ER/LR strategies, frameworks and policies that enable respectful and productive relationships between employees and leaders, and between CBE and our union partners. You will provide advice to senior leaders on complex employment matters as well as act as the primary liaison between CBE and our union partners. You will work collaboratively with the Director, HR Operations and the Director, Talent Management to deliver results that address the needs and priorities of the CBE and its employees, aligning with the vision and values expressed in the Education Plan.

What will you do?

• Lead and coordinate a team of HR leaders, functional experts and specialists. This position leads HR Advisory Services and Employee Health Resource teams. Activate ER/LR and employee health and wellness strategies through the development and delivery of policies, frameworks and processes to enable effective and consistent employee and labour relations and heath and wellness practices across the organization. Provide specialist advice to the HR Advisory Services team and/or leaders on complex employment matters related to employee conduct and discipline, performance and attendance management, grievances, terminations as well as the interpretation and application of the collective agreement, legislation and policies and procedures. Lead or oversee complex workplace investigations including harassment and workplace misconduct investigations. Represent Human Resources in corporate investigations to ensure consistency of practice. Provide oversight and consultation on the internal grievance process and represent CBE in the preparation and presentation of cases at arbitration or Boards of References. Make decisions on behalf of CBE related to grievances, settlements, severance arrangements and other legal matters regarding employee and labour relations in partnership with internal and external legal counsel as required. Lead or participate in collective bargaining and lead the execution and implementation of post bargaining activities across multiple functions and areas. Provide leadership on employee health and wellness related issues including ensuring effective collaboration with other areas of HR , other functional areas and operations around matters such as employee accommodations. Effectively manage relationships with external providers such as EFAP, long term disability insurers and WB. Provide thought leadership on leading employment practices by staying current with employment legislation and identifying relevant trends. Conduct organizational analysis of ER/LR and employee health and wellness activities and collaborate with key internal partners across Human Resources, Risk Management and Legal to identify prevalent employee and labour relations concerns and proactively address employee wellness related issues. Based on this research, proactively identify enhancements across employment policies and frameworks to mitigate risk and recommend improvements to HR programming. Performs other related duties as assigned to meet service unit and system goals and objectives.

What qualifications are we looking for?

• You possess a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resource Management or related field You have 10+ years of diversified and progressive human resources leadership experience in complex, unionized environments. Experience working in the public sector is an asset. You hold deep specialist expertise in employee/labour relations with experience in collective bargaining, grievance/arbitration and investigations You have experience with policy and program development You are a skilled negotiator who effectively balances the best interests of employees and the organization You are a relationship builder with the ability to work collaboratively with key stakeholders and achieve results through influence in a large, complex unionized environment You have strong verbal and written communication skills You foster and maintain relationships with leaders of all levels, external stakeholders and vendors, as well as union representatives You are data-driven, you think critically, and are a big picture thinker while aligning to broader strategies You are an autonomous, self-starter with an ability to manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment and to meet deadlines

Conditions of Employment

Police Information Clearance: Applicants new to the Calgary Board of Education WHO ARE OFFERED EMPLOYMENT

Be Part of Our Success

A career with the CBE offers incredible opportunities, rewards and supports.

Click www.cbe.ab.ca/Careers/ for more information on a career with the CBE.

We thank all candidates for their interest in this position however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.