Director, HR Partnerships and Workforce Relations

Position Overview

Director, HR Partnerships and Workforce Relations – Permanent, Full time, (CREATED 2024). Across Scarborough Health Network’s three hospitals and eight satellite sites, this strategic leadership role is responsible for advancing SHN’s HR Partnerships and Workforce Relations mandate. Reporting to the Vice President, People, Culture & Governance and the CHRO, the Director is a key member of the People Services leadership team, overseeing employee and labour relations functions and ensuring Human Resources acts as true strategic partners in a complex, unionized healthcare environment.

Strategic Leadership & Workforce Planning

• Partner with Human Resources, corporate support, operations and union leadership to advance SHN’s strategic priorities by optimizing human capital performance.
• Provide strategic leadership to the HR Business Partners, ensuring alignment between workforce planning, talent strategies and organizational goals.
• Design and implement an integrated workforce‑planning approach in collaboration with People Services leaders.
• Work with People Analytics to leverage workforce data, trends and human‑capital metrics to inform strategic decision‑making.
• Apply workforce foresight to proactively identify emerging risks and design targeted strategies for future talent gaps and capacity pressures.

Labour & Employee Relations Leadership

• Serve as the organization’s SME on complex employee and labour relations matters, including performance, attendance, discipline, investigations, terminations and accommodations.
• Interpret and administer multiple collective agreements, ensuring consistent and compliant application across SHN.
• Act as chief spokesperson in collective bargaining, lead negotiations, mediations, arbitrations and the development of MOUs and local agreements.
• Partner with union leadership and management to foster productive relationships and maintain a respectful, collaborative environment.
• Provide strategic guidance by developing and embedding policies, processes and practices that align corporate decisions with collective agreements, SHN policies and legislation.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Implement continuous improvement of SHN’s Labour and Employee Relations strategy, policies and standard operating procedures.
• Identify, assess and mitigate labour and employment–related risks in a multi‑union environment.
• Oversee grievance processes, including investigation, case management and arbitration preparation.
• Ensure compliance with Ontario legislation: Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code and Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Investigations, Workplace Culture & Inclusion

• Oversee investigations into complex workplace concerns such as policy violations and whistleblower reports.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, psychological safety and respect.
• Champion equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging through workforce practices, systems design and employee‑experience initiatives.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor and develop a high‑performing Employee & Labour Relations team.
• Provide leadership, coaching and support to HR Business Partners and operational leaders on people‑management practices.
• Establish enterprise standards of excellence across Workforce Relations operations, providing a collaborative consultant model for internal partners.
• Design and deliver training and education programs on employee and labour relations topics.

Financial & Operational Accountability

• Develop and manage departmental budgets aligned with organizational priorities.
• Contribute to financial and operational planning to ensure effective resource utilization and measurable outcomes.
• Prepare and present regular reports integrating labour and employee relations data with broader HR metrics and strategic insights.

External Partnerships & Continuous Improvement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including legal counsel, professional associations and peer healthcare organizations.
• Monitor emerging trends, legislative changes and best practices to continuously strengthen SHN’s employee and labour relations function.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Post‑secondary education in Human Resources, Labour/Industrial Relations, Law or related field; CHRL/CHRP required, Master’s preferred.
• 7–10+ years progressive labour and employee relations experience in a unionized Ontario healthcare or broader public‑sector environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in collective bargaining, arbitration, grievance management and complex investigations.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario labour and employment legislation and jurisprudence.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders, manage risk and lead in a complex, multi‑site, unionized environment.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and relationship‑building skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale transformation and change initiatives.
• Strong fiscal acumen: budgeting, monitoring performance and implementing efficiency strategies.
• Ability to build strategic alliances with health system, academic and private‑sector partners.
• Good understanding of hospital operations and broader healthcare system.

Benefits & Compensation

• Defined Benefit pension plan through the Healthcare Ontario Pension Plan.
• Comprehensive insured benefits package including health and dental.
• New Graduate Initiative and EnRoute training and career‑advancement programs.
• Critical Care Sponsorship Program and Employee Discount & Incentive Programs.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) with wellness offerings.
• Leadership Development and Learning Programs, Tuition Assistance Program.
• Recognition events and support for spiritual‑health care services.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nation of origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital or family status, belief system or other factors related to an applicant’s personal identity and/or values. SHN is an equal‑opportunity employer dedicated to inclusiveness and diversity, reflecting the diversity of our patients, staff and community alike. SHN is committed to providing barrier‑free, accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.