Manager, Employee Relations

Cambrian College's Human Resources Department has an immediate requirement for a full-time Manager, Employee Relations to lead the College's employee and labour relations function.

Responsibilities

• Lead the College’s employee and labour relations function, ensuring effective guidance, oversight, and support on collective agreement administration, workplace investigations, discipline, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with union representatives, College leaders, external counsel, and other applicable parties to support constructive labour relations and the timely resolution of workplace issues.
• Collaborate with internal and external parties to provide informed, timely, and practical support and advice to managers and employees regarding employment, human resources, employee relations, and labour relations matters.
• Act as the College’s subject matter expert on the interpretation and application of collective agreements, workplace policies, human rights and accommodation obligations, and related employment matters.
• Manage the grievance process from intake through resolution, including assessing issues, advising on strategy and process, coordinating responses, maintaining grievance records and timelines, supporting grievance meetings, and identifying practical opportunities for early resolution.
• Support the College’s response to employment‑related legal, labour board, human rights, or other external proceedings, including gathering information, preparing documentation, coordinating with internal parties, and working with external legal counsel as required.
• Lead the College’s response to classification, workload, and related collective agreement disputes, including advising on process, coordinating internal review, preparing the College’s case, supporting practical resolution discussions, and representing the College before an arbitrator or other decision‑maker where required.
• Develop, draft, and support the negotiation of minutes of settlement, memoranda of agreement, and other agreements that resolve workplace and collective agreement disputes.
• Provide labour relations expertise in support of collective bargaining preparation, collective agreement implementation, policy interpretation, workplace accommodation processes, and communication of labour relations obligations to College leaders.
• Participate in College committees and working groups, including Workload Monitoring Group (WMG), Employment Stability Groups (CESC/ESC), and other forums where employee relations, labour relations, workload, accommodation, policy, or employment matters are discussed.
• Develop and deliver training, tools, and resources for College employees and leaders on employee and labour relations matters.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Human Resources processes, policies, and strategies.
• Monitor and evaluate employee and labour relations activities through appropriate case tracking, grievance records, settlement tracking, metrics, trends, and reporting.

Requirements

• Minimum of a four-year postsecondary degree. (A copy of educational documents must be submitted with application *** education completed outside of Canada, applicants are required to submit a WES or ICAS with their application).
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive Human Resources and Employee/Labour Relations experience in a diverse unionized and non‑unionized environment, including experience with workplace investigations, grievance and arbitration matters, settlements, and collaboration with external legal counsel.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret collective agreements, employment legislation, workplace policies, and labour relations principles to advise leaders on practical options, alternatives, risks, and solutions for complex workplace issues.
• Expert knowledge of human resources principles and practices.
• Experience in roles requiring integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, time management, and customer service skills.
• Solid leadership skills with a focus on relationship‑building, interest‑based negotiations, mediation, facilitation, and conflict resolution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs that include Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Proven ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) with diplomacy and tact.

Additional Assets / Preferred

• Master’s Degree (preferably in Human Resources or related discipline).
• Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation.
• Experience working in a complex, multi‑union environment, preferably within the postsecondary education sector.

Attachments Required

• Educational documents: WES/ICAS Equivalence if degrees/diplomas are from a Non‑Canadian University.
• Copy of CHRL Designation (if applicable).