Senior Labour Relations Advisor (Hybrid)

Calgary Board of Education
Calgary, AB

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Job details

Full-time
8 hours ago

Skills

Microsoft Word
CHRP
Succession planning
Microsoft Excel
Coaching
Employment law
Employee relations
Post-secondary education
Analysis skills
Presentation skills
Bachelor's
Decision making
Risk management
Human resources
Mentoring
Organizational skills
Alternative dispute resolution
Human Resources
Training & development
Cross-functional collaboration
Leadership
Negotiation
Cross-functional communication
Time management

Full job description

Who Are We?

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) is the largest school board in western Canada with over 144,000 students and 16,000 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.

Competition Info

Competition Close Date: open until filled

Calendar: This is a year-round position and is eligible to participate in the organization's Earned Days Off (EDO) program, providing additional scheduled time off from June to August in accordance with program guidelines.

Salary: Exempt Grade SP1 $118,200 - $144,100 annually

FTE: 1.0 - 35 hours per week

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.

Purpose

The purpose of this job is to provide strategic and operational advice to leaders and employees on all aspects of labour relations. This includes leading collective bargaining and union negotiations, fostering strong management-union relationships, and ensuring the consistent interpretation and application of collective agreements. The role also involves advising on grievance resolution, arbitrations, and other labour disputes, while working collaboratively with leaders, legal counsel, and internal partners such as HR and Senior HR Advisors to support effective and aligned labour relations practices.

Accountability

This job is accountable for leading collective bargaining, managing grievances, and preparing for arbitration within a complex unionized environment. It serves as the primary liaison on labour relations matters, fostering constructive relationships with union representatives. The role ensures expert interpretation and application of collective agreements, labour legislation, and organizational policies, while working closely with HR and Senior HR Advisors to maintain aligned and consistent labour relations practices. Additionally, it supports the development of labour strategies, contributes to policy design, and plays a key role in identifying and mitigating labour relations risks.

What will you do?

Major Responsibilities

Key Strategic Business Partner: In a complex unionized environment, Labour Relations Advisor leads collective bargaining, grievance management, and arbitration preparation, ensuring fair and effective resolution of labour matters. It serves as the primary liaison on all labour relations issues, fostering constructive relationships with union representatives. The position provides expert interpretation and application of collective agreements, relevant legislation, and internal policies, while collaborating closely with HR and Senior HR Advisors to ensure consistent and aligned labour practices. Additionally, it supports the development of labour relations strategies, contributes to policy design, and proactively mitigates associated risks.
Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of collective bargaining processes, including strategy development, proposal drafting, and negotiations.
Serve as the primary liaison with union representatives, supporting constructive relationships and timely resolution of labour relations matters.
Interpret and advise on collective agreement provisions, employment legislation, and organizational policies, working collaboratively with HR and Senior HR Advisors to ensure consistent messaging and application.
Manage the grievance process, including early resolution efforts, formal stages, and arbitration preparation and representation, in consultation with HR partners and legal counsel.
Collaborate with HR and COEs to provide integrated labour and employee relations support, particularly in complex or high-risk matters.
Partner with HR Advisors to coach and support leaders in understanding their labour relations responsibilities and navigating unionized environments.
Support capacity building by contributing to the development and delivery of training for leaders and HR teams on labour relations topics.
Provide expert advice on the labour relations implications of HR initiatives, investigations, performance matters, and policy changes.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant labour laws, arbitration decisions, and sectoral trends to inform strategy and risk management.
Contribute to policy and program development with a labour relations lens to ensure alignment with collective agreements and legal requirements.
Prepare timely and accurate documentation, including briefing notes, issue summaries, and reports for internal and external audiences.
Collaborate on the development and implementation of proactive labour relations strategies to support positive workplace culture and effective union-management collaboration.

Assignment may change as organizational needs evolve, but accountable activities include:

Lead collective bargaining preparation, strategy, and negotiations as assigned.
Interpret and apply collective agreements, arbitral jurisprudence, and labour legislation.
Coach leaders and HR colleagues on managing in a unionized environment.
Represent the organization in grievance meetings, mediations, and arbitrations.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with union representatives.
Support the development and delivery of training on labour relations, conflict resolution, and labour rights.
Participate in the development, review, and implementation of labour-related policies and practices.
Collaborate with HR Advisors and Sr. HR Advisors on complex and high-risk files.
Contribute to investigation planning and lead labour-related workplace investigations.
Identify and mitigate emerging labour relations risks; provide proactive advice.
Provide labour relations input into performance management, discipline, and termination matters.
Remain current on changes to labour law, arbitration outcomes, and sector trends.

Organizational Effectiveness: Provide strategic labour relations advice on organizational change initiatives, including impacts to bargaining units, classification, and consultation/notification obligations under collective agreements.
Employee and Labour Relations: Lead the organization’s response to complex labour relations matters, including collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and arbitration; ensure practices align with legislation, precedent, and collective agreement obligations.
Talent Management: Advise on labour relations considerations in talent movement, redeployment, and succession planning to ensure alignment with collective agreements and minimize labour disruption.
Total Rewards: Collaborate with Total Rewards on the labour implications of compensation changes, pay equity, and benefit matters; provide guidance on negotiated entitlements and cost implications.
Leadership and Learning: Design and deliver training to leaders on managing in a unionized environment, including topics such as conflict resolution, collective agreement interpretation, and managing grievances and investigations.
Health & Wellness: Partner with Employee Health Resources Center (EHRC) on accommodation cases with potential labour relations implications, ensuring consistency, duty to accommodate obligations, and defensibility in union environments.
Learning and Change: Support change initiatives by advising on labour relations impacts and helping leaders communicate change in a way that aligns with collective agreements and maintains positive union relationships.
HR Operations: Work closely with HR Operations to ensure operational decisions, system changes, and staffing processes align with collective agreement terms and labour legislation.
Organizational Development: Provide a labour relations lens to employee engagement, policy development, and conflict resolution strategies; support the design and implementation of respectful workplace initiatives in collaboration with broader HR teams.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Labour / Industrial Relations or related discipline.
5-7 years of progressively responsible experience / strategic advisory roles in HR, including significant exposure to labour relations.
Certification as a Human Resources Professional (CHRP) strongly preferred.
An equivalent combination of directly related post-secondary education and experience may be considered.
Advanced knowledge of employment law, collective agreements, and conflict resolution techniques.
Demonstrated experience working within complex unionized environments and managing union relationships, and training in conducting workplace investigations.
Proven leadership and mentorship skills with a focus on developing HR/LR talent and mentoring HR and LR professionals.
Excellent presentation skills with the ability to effectively present to senior leadership.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing demands and adapt to changing priorities as an LR Advisor.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and legal frameworks including the Labour Relations Code, Employment Standards Code, Human Rights Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and relevant case law and arbitral jurisprudence.
Knowledge of Alberta Education Standards, the Education Act, CBE Administrative Regulations, and the CBE Education Plan.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply collective agreements, facilitate grievance processes, and manage matters leading to arbitration or dispute resolution.
Experience representing the employer in union meetings, grievance hearings, negotiations, mediations, and other formal proceedings.
Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word, with intermediate to advanced computer skills.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
Adaptability to a rapidly changing environment; demonstrated reliability and ability to be flexible.
Ability to create positive relationships, establish rapport and work effectively. This includes building and maintaining constructive union-management relationships and represent the organization with professionalism and diplomacy.
Ability to work in a fluid environment with a focus on delivery of results.
Strong problem-solving skills, analytical skills, conflict resolution and mediation skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality with information of an extremely sensitive nature.
Strong time management, prioritization, multitasking and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
Professionalism, tact, courtesy and diplomacy skills.
Personal suitability.

Conditions of Employment

Police Information Clearance: Applicants new to the Calgary Board of Education WHO ARE OFFERED EMPLOYMENT must complete and pass a police information clearance before employment is confirmed.

What happens next?

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

Land Acknowledgement

The Calgary Board of Education acknowledges the traditional territories and oral practices of the Treaty 7 Nations, including the Siksikaitsitapi Nations, Tsuut'ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations. We acknowledge the Métis Nation within Alberta, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of southern Alberta. As a learning organization, we are committed to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action focused on Education for ReconciliACTION.

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