Director, Labour Relations and Health and Safety

WHO WE ARE

When it comes to health, we’re always looking for ways to push for better. It’s why we were founded in the first place. In 1957, our founder, pharmacist William Wilkinson, witnessed a mother sacrifice her health by forgoing her own medicine to pay for her sick daughter’s prescription. He knew there had to be a better way. So, he introduced North America’s first prepaid drug plan, and GreenShield was born as a not-for-profit with a mission to support better health for all Canadians.

We aren’t just a health and benefits company. We’re the only not-for-profit social enterprise that brings worlds of coverage and care together, all in one place. We’re noble challengers, purposefully building a better way and we need the best people to help us create a more holistic approach that takes care of the mind and body.

Our mission is to create better health for all Canadians, and we know that starts with our employees.

THE ROLE

The Director Labour Relations is an integral part of the People and Culture (P&C) Leadership Team responsible for overseeing all aspects of labour relations within the organization, enterprise wide. The Director Labour Relations is responsible for establishing the strategy and direction of the labour relations function, ensuring objectives and outcomes are achieved, and to provide leadership through professional expert consultation, advisement and insight. This role is also responsible for Health & Safety, ensuring full compliance with provincial occupational health and safety legislation and the promotion of health and safety as part of Better Health for All and our commitment to workplace wellness.

The Director Labour Relations is a subject matter expert across the enterprise, delivering on the enterprise labour relations framework, researching, and creating innovative approaches to workplace changes and union relations and advisory services in areas of risk, and ensuring adherence to labour relations legislation. This position reports to the Senior Vice President People Strategy, Talent & Rewards.

• Develop and implement an enterprise-wide labour relations strategy aligned with the Collective Agreement (CA), that affiliates the organization's goals and objectives, leveraging data insights to foster a positive work environment and minimize labour-related disruptions, aligned with desired outcomes.
• Lead and participate in negotiations with Unifor to develop and renew the collective agreement, leveraging data analytics to inform negotiations and ensure fair and competitive outcomes for both employees and the organization.
• Mediate and resolve labour issues, grievances, and conflicts, identifying trends and root causes, collaborating with all parties involved to reach mutually beneficial solutions, while adhering to legislation, the CA and company policies.
• Provide subject management expertise and leadership support on achieving complex labour initiatives supporting our 2030 business strategy.
• Stay current on labour laws, regulations, and industry trends, utilizing data resources and industry research to ensure the organization remains in compliance with all relevant labour legislation and reporting requirements.
• Cultivate positive, evolving relationship with Unifor at all levels (Local, Regional, National).
• Facilitate strong working relationships at multiple levels of our organization to drive long-term, strong, deep relationships with Unifor.
• Promote and model employee engagement and positive relations; providing guidance and support to leaders and employees, utilizing feedback collection, fostering open communication, and addressing engagement outcome concerns promptly.
• Collaborate with leadership, P&C and legal teams to develop, revise, and interpret labour-related policies and procedures, utilizing technology for policy dissemination and compliance tracking while ensuring alignment with collective agreement and legal requirements.
• Provide training and educational programs to management and employees on labour relations matters, incorporating technology for e-learning modules, promoting awareness, and compliance with labour policies.
• Analyze data and metrics to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement, including technology capabilities. Integrate data from various sources and entities to enhance labour relations strategies and decision-making.
• Maintain accurate records of labour-related activities, including negotiations, workplace changes, grievance resolutions, and prepare reports for senior leadership and regulatory authorities as required.
• Create a Canada-wide OH&S resources and document management Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Ensure comprehensive and complete occupational health and safety programs, enforcement and promotion enterprise wide
• Host annual virtual Health and Safety Forum for all company certified health and safety representatives to ensure adoption of best practices
• Ability to work collaboratively with Facilities
• Ability to work in a highly metrics driven organization where line of business success determines whether we are successful as a People & Culture team.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive experience (7+ years) in labour relations, including negotiation, dispute resolution, and collective bargaining.
• Strong knowledge of labour laws, regulations, industry best practices and health & safety.
• University Degree in Business Administration, Labour Relations, or a related field.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional negotiation and conflict resolution abilities.
• Proficient in MS Suite, including Power Point and Excel.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make strategic recommendations leveraging data analysis.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to fairness and equity in labour relations.
• Experience in mergers, acquisitions and integrations.

NICE TO HAVE

• Certified Human Resources Professional designation (CHRP or CHRL)
• Labour Relations certification
• Masters of Industrial Relations or equivalent
• Bilingual (French and English)

THE CULTURE

We believe a career should be meaningful. Not just a means to earn a living. Our culture is one where everyone's voice is heard and valued. Because that’s what it takes to create better health for all. We dare to challenge the status quo. And we’re driven by people who have challenged theirs. We believe that your workplace should empower you to be the best version of yourself. That’s why we provide a place where you can be inspired, challenged, and rewarded.

Where your growth means our growth.

Where your voice is heard and valued.

Where your work has purpose. And purpose matters.

We believe our people are critical to our overall success. Inclusivity makes us a stronger, smarter and more informed organization. Being intentionally inclusive of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences will enhance our company culture to positively impact how we support our communities. A career at GreenShield isn’t just about personal achievements, it's about making a difference together.

Here’s to Better Health for All!

A FEW MORE DETAILS

Proficiency in English is required for this position. As part of this role, you will be required to communicate with colleagues or customers who use English as their primary language. By requiring English proficiency for this position, we aim to ensure that our employees can excel in their roles, collaborate, and communicate effectively, and contribute to the success of our organization.

GS supports diversity, equity and inclusion in our teams and communities, and we value the unique contributions made by all. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly to every requirement, we invite you to apply. We encourage applications from all candidates and will accommodate needs under human rights legislation throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please let us know of any accommodation through View email address on ca.talent.com. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Providing this information gives GS consent to use your personal information to assess your suitability for specific positions, future opportunities or for your personnel file. Your résumé will be held in strict confidence and will be viewed only by the Organization. Information may be stored outside of Canada and could be used for aggregate statistical purposes (which uses no personal identification).

AI Usage - GreenShield leverages AI to help produce Job Descriptions, and ideate on interview questions. We also leverage AI for interview transcription support.

At GreenShield, we embrace diversity and inclusion in our workforce and workplace. We are committed to building inclusive teams and an equitable environment for people to be themselves. We encourage applications from all candidates and will accommodate needs under human rights legislation throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please let us know of any accommodations through View email address on ca.talent.com. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

GreenShield has a COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policy that requires all employees to be fully vaccinated. This is a condition of employment. Consideration will be given for any necessary accommodations under Human Rights and will be approved on a case-by-case basis through Human Resources.

GreenShield means, collectively, Green Shield Canada (GSC), Green Shield Association, and Green Shield Holdings Inc., which is the primary company that houses health services and benefits administration businesses, including Inkblot Therapy, Tranquility, NKS Health Canada, The Health Depot Pharmacy, Benecaid, Honeybee, BCH Consultants and Computer Workware Inc. Green Shield Holdings Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the not-for-profit Green Shield Association.