Senior Advisor, Employee and Labour Relations

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We’re hiring! Become part of the dedicated and creative team at Algonquin College of Applied Arts & Technology, selected as one of National Capital Region's Top Employers for the last eight years in a row. Algonquin College hires top talent seeking meaningful and fulfilling careers and helps employees prepare for the future with employer-matching contributions to a Defined Benefit Pension Plan. We also offer an impressive vacation package, parental leave top-up, ongoing professional development opportunities and tuition assistance.

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Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Manager, Employee and Labour Relations, the Senior Advisor, Employee and Labour Relations is responsible for all operational matters of labour and employee relations. As a resource to all levels of management, the Senior Advisor will ensure that appropriate action is taken with respect to a wide variety of issues that support the College’s strategic plan, including but not limited to: collective agreement and labour law interpretation, performance management, progressive discipline and termination, layoff/recall, human rights complaints, workplace harassment investigations, mediation of workplace conflict, employee conduct issues, and management advisory issues in general.

The Senior Advisor is the first point of contact for all employee complaints and grievances and takes the appropriate steps to resolve issues in the best interests of all parties, in accordance with the College’s core values and policies and practices. The Senior Advisor represents the College at rights arbitration proceedings and other employment related hearings. The Senior Advisor provides coaching and formal training to management to improve their decision-making capabilities within the workplace and provides ongoing support and feedback to ensure that strategic advice is implemented by the management team. 

The Senior Advisor builds relationships with both Union Locals and other internal and external stakeholders in order to ensure a fair and equitable approach to labour relations, with the goal of achieving a harmonious employee-employer relationship and a labour relations environment that is positive and productive.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum four (4) year university degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Psychology, Social Science, or equivalent field of study;
• Formal training in Industrial Relations or Human Resources Management is required;
• Minimum of nine (9) years’ experience working in a unionized work environment, providing labour relations counsel, coaching and guidance to all levels of management;
• Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation is required;
• Experience in a large, complex multi-union environment would be an asset;
• Training in Alternative Dispute Resolution and/or Mediation would be considered an asset;
• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written, to communicate effectively with the public, in person or by telephone;
• Demonstrated ability to gain consensus and lead others with respect to best practices and strategic courses of action;
• Ability to adapt and learn quickly, in an ever changing environment, keeping current with changing legislation, policies, and best practices;
• Ability to understand, interpret, and advise others with respect to complex legal documents and legislation;
• Ability to discuss and resolve problems in difficult situations that are often emotionally charged, taking into consideration the short and long term best interests of the parties;
• Strong analytical and coordination skills;
• Excellent organizational/project management skills;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting demands and deadlines;
• Ability to prioritize and work productively under stress and pressure;
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team;
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent analytical and records management skills;
• Ability to set priorities and to work within deadlines;
• Respect for a strict code of confidentiality and ethics.

This position requires on-site work at Algonquin College's Woodroffe (Ottawa) Campus.

This position is eligible for hybrid work in conjunction with the College's Flexible Work Arrangement. https://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/files/2022/08/HR26.pdf (subject to change).