Director, Advocacy and Bargaining

Director, Advocacy and Bargaining

APPLICATIONS ARE HEREWITH INVITED FOR:

POSITION: Director, Advocacy and Bargaining – Full Time Regular

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Advocacy and Bargaining is a leadership role responsible for directing the organization’s collective bargaining strategies and workplace advocacy functions. Reporting to the President, the Director will lead and provide expert advice to a multidisciplinary team of approximately 35 bargaining unit workers responsible for collective bargaining, grievances, arbitrations/mediations, investigations, workplace advocacy, job evaluation, health and safety, compensation appeals and administration support while ensuring the highest standards of service to our members.

The Director will work collaboratively with elected leadership, the management team and staff to develop and advance long-term strategies that will strengthen the union’s bargaining power, advance members’ workplace rights and support the union’s strategic priorities.

The Director will be accountable for operational excellence, financial stewardship, leadership development, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, innovation, and accountability, along with other duties, as assigned by the President or their delegate(s).

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/CRITICAL TASKS:

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership

• Work collaboratively with the elected leadership team to develop and implement the union’s advocacy and bargaining strategies to be in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan.
• Lead departmental planning, budgeting, goal setting, and performance measurements.
• Provide expert advice to elected officers on complex member labour relations issues.
• Analyze grievance trends and bargaining outcomes.
• Recommend operational improvements that will help grow the local and ensure continued excellent care of our members.
• Lead change initiatives within the department.
• Anticipate emerging labour relations trends, legislative developments, economic conditions, and political issues affecting members.
  Foster collaborative relationships across all operational departments.
  Generate regular reports for the President or their delegates(s), as needed.

Collective Bargaining, Advocacy and Member Labour Relations

Provide operational strategic guidance, oversight, and ensure compliance in the following areas:

• Grievance handling from initial filing through to arbitrations/mediations.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of all collective agreements.
• Direct the planning, preparation, and execution of collective bargaining strategies, and ensure that bargaining priorities reflect member needs and organizational objectives.
• Evaluate bargaining outcomes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure members receive timely, effective, and professional representation.
• Develop service standards for advocacy and representation.
• Monitor member satisfaction and identify opportunities to improve service delivery.
• Review legal risks surrounding complex grievance issues, arbitrations/mediations, and significant workplace disputes ensuring advocacy positions are legally sound and strategically appropriate.

Legal and Legislative Compliance and Policy Development

• Ensure compliance with applicable provincial and federal legislation, including, but not limited to the BC Labour Relations Board, Canada Labour Code, WorkSafeBC, Employment Standards Branch, BC Human Rights Tribunal, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC and other regulatory bodies.
• Develop and maintain member labour relations policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Recommend changes to internal policies based on legislative developments and arbitration decisions.
• Ensure consistency in advocacy practices across the organization.
• Monitor developments in labour law and provide recommendations regarding organizational impacts.

Staff Leadership

• Coach, mentor, and supervise a high performing team of work leaders, union representatives, specialists, and administrative staff.
• Provide support to work leaders and their staff in navigating and resolving complex workplace issues, member concerns, high pressure files/deadlines, and day-to-day operational issues.
• Conduct or support performance reviews and support employee development.
• Promote leadership development, training, and succession planning.
• Manage departmental workloads and resource allocation.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• Assist with staff labour relations and recruitment initiatives, as needed.
• Work in collaboration with excluded staff and the elected leadership team to support the day-to-day functions of the office.

Financial Management

• Monitor arbitration, legal, bargaining, and operational expenditures.
• Ensure effective stewardship of union resources.
• Assist elected leadership to develop and manage departmental budgets.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive labour relations experience, with demonstrated knowledge of employment/labour law and practice, collective bargaining principles, and negotiation strategies. Previous experience as a union representative or spokesperson, with experience appearing before labour tribunals and arbitration boards is a strong asset.
• A minimum of 5+ years working in a leadership role in a unionized environment, directly supervising and working with a multidisciplinary team of professionals, and working effectively and collegially with other management, staff, and officers in the workplace. Experience in change management is an asset.
• College or University degree/diploma in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Law, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A recognized management certificate or similar designation is considered an asset but is not required.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent project and budget management skills including time management, organizing, scheduling and working within financial parameters.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills that are clearly evident both in person, in writing skills, and over the phone.
• Ability to multi-task, with a strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated superior oral and written communication skills.
• Have demonstrated ability to be proactive and self-starting, as well as the ability to work with a team.
• Ability to give and take direction, and work under pressure.
• Demonstrated interest and/or participation in trade union activities are essential.
• Previous experience with UnionWare is an asset.

To allow for successful organizational integration, training and onboarding, and proper in-office coverage, this position requires the successful candidate to be able to work on-site in our office located in Burnaby, BC for five days a week, Monday to Friday, during the probation period.

This requirement may be extended based on operational requirements. Once the probation period is successfully completed, a minimum of three days in the office will be required, which is in line with our current hybrid work model policy.

Some travel may be required with this role.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

This is an opportunity to work with highly motivated colleagues in a creative and vibrant office environment.

We offer a competitive salary ranging between $173K-$186K annually, inclusive of all applicable premiums, and excellent benefits, including extended health care, enrolment in the Public Service Pension Plan and various time off provisions.

This position will remain open until it is filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, only those shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.

We value workforce diversity and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

ABOUT US:

MoveUP represents over 14,000 union members at public and private sector companies in both provincially and federally regulated workplaces. Our members are primarily located in British Columbia.

MoveUP is Local 378 of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union (COPE SEPB), which represents over 35,000 members across Canada. We are affiliated with the BC Federation of Labour, the Canadian Labour Congress, and labour councils. We are also affiliated with UNI Global Union and Public Services International through our national union, COPE SEPB. For more information about MoveUP, visit MoveUPTogether.ca. For more information about our national union, visit copesepb.ca.

Vision

MoveUP creates a future where all workers have a powerful voice, dignity in their work and thrive in a just society.

Mission

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our members, their families and communities, and to educate, inspire and empower workers.

Values

As a democratic, progressive union, we provide a supportive and respectful workplace that enables the best performance of each staff member so that together we can:

• Be a union where our members feel heard and are proud to be members
• Activate our members and promote solidarity
• Protect workers and get the best results for them
• Remove barriers to inclusivity and fight for a more just society