Director, Employee and Labour Relations

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Reporting to the Vice-President, Human Resources, the Director, Employee and Labour Relations provides leadership and direction for Labour Relations, Total Compensation and Wellness and Abilities at Algonquin College.  The incumbent is responsible for the administration of the Collective Agreements for Academic and Support Staff of the College and related employee relations matters. 

As a resource to all levels of management, the Director 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, progressive discipline and termination, human rights complaints, workplace harassment investigations, mediation of workplace conflicts, employee conduct issues, and management advisory issues in general.   

The Director will foster constructive and cooperative working relationships with the Academic and Support Staff unions and will act as a senior advisor to the President, Algonquin College Executive Team (ACET), Deans, Directors, Chairs and Managers and provide strategic and operational labour and employee relations advice to various Algonquin College committees.   

The incumbent is also responsible to develop and maintain systems for the effective processing of matters, including grievances arising from the Academic and Full-time and Part-time Support Staff Collective Agreements.  The Director will oversee the collection and analysis of data at the College level in support of the provincial negotiations of the collective agreements and take the lead in any activities required in support of the contract negotiations. 

The Director is responsible for the development and offering of professional development opportunities for managers, supervisors and HR representatives in the field of labour relations and collective agreement articles. 

The incumbent oversees investigations into various employee relations issues and provides risk assessments and mitigation solutions for industrial relations activities. 

The Director oversees the development and implementation of Employee Compensation, Pension and Benefits programs for the College while ensuring such departmental programs are established to ensure continuous improvement of services and proper management of fiduciary oversight.  Further, the incumbent oversees the development of communication and promotion strategies relating to this portfolio. 

The annual total compensation cost which directly impact this job approximately would be: 

• Payroll Cost for the college $173,000,000 

• Pension cost for the college $16,000,000 

• Other benefit costs for the college (insurance, dental etc) $11,000,000 

   

The Director provides oversight of the Wellness and Abilities Programs at the college covering the development of programs that support the mental health and wellness strategy and that creates awareness, motivation and provides tools to employees that help them adapt and maintain a well-rounded healthy lifestyle.  This oversight also includes the provision of broad planning and service delivery for all Disability Management policies and programs which includes short term disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD); Return to Work (RTW) and accommodation processes for employees with complex occupational or non-occupational illness and/or injury and escalated workers’ compensation claims.

The Director is a member of the Human Resources Team and provides support and guidance on strategic initiatives undertaken by the department and plays a key strategic, advisory and management role on behalf of the College and its stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree, preferably in Organizational Development, Human Resources Management or a specialty area within the Human Resources discipline (Equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience may be accepted in place of formal education);
• CHRL (Certified Human Resources Leader) Designation is considered an asset;
• Minimum of thirteen (13) years demonstrated experience in dealing as an advocate in grievances/arbitrations and managing the grievance/arbitration process;
• Of the 13 years of relevant experience, a minimum of ten (10) years at the management level in Human Resources/ Labour Relations/ Total Rewards/Wellness and Abilities;
• The incumbent must possess empathy, tact, diplomacy and respect confidentiality and privacy;
• Excellent management, leadership and motivational skills;
• Advanced knowledge of HR management practices, procedures and principles to provide complex conceptual and interpretive advice;
• Exceptional negotiation, human resource management and conflict resolution skills;
• Firm knowledge of Labour Relations protocols;
• Ability to work effectively in a unionized, collegial environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of:

- Collective Agreements

- Terms and Conditions of Employment

- Relevant employment legislation

- Labour Law trends

- Human Rights legislation

- Alternative Dispute Resolution training

- Investigation training

- Arbitration Decisions/Grievance and Arbitration processes

- Case Management

• Must possess sound decision-making, planning and management skills;
• Conflict Resolution and Mediation skills;
• Ability to work in stressful situations and with critical inflexible deadlines;
• Ability to anticipate needs and articulate a vision for change;
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills (written and oral).

   

This position is eligible for hybrid work in conjunction with the College's Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. (subject to change).