Senior Consultant, Employee and Labour Relations

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About the Role

Reporting to the Director, HR, Employee and Labour Relations, the Senior Consultant, Employee and Labour Relations is responsible for providing expert labour relations advice and guidance on matters related to both the Mount Royal Faculty Association (MRFA) and the Mount Royal Staff Association (MRSA).

The Senior Consultant, Employee and Labour Relations will work closely with leaders in Human Resources, Academic Affairs and other university faculties and departments, proactively problem solving on complex labour relations matters while ensuring consistency in the interpretation of collective agreements and business practices.

The Senior Consultant, Employee and Labour Relations is highly involved in the bargaining process and in some cases may act as the lead, from developing bargaining mandates through implementation post-ratification.

The Senior Consultant, Employee and Labour Relations will be responsible for providing expert guidance on complex workplace investigations and identifying and sharing insights on emerging trends in labour relations. This position will also provide training, education and support for both leadership and internal Human Resources and Faculty Relations staff, in addition to managing projects and conflict in a multi-union environment.

This is a full-time permanent position, working 35 hours per week.

Responsibilities

Consulting Services

• Provide expert recommendations/solutions related to the management of faculty and support staff, ensuring consistency throughout business practices and interpretation of collective agreement(s).
• Provide expert advice in relation to performance management, investigations, grievances, and other complex files.
• Provide advice and guidance on complex workplace investigations.
• Provide expert support in the negotiation of memorandums of understanding, grievance settlements and other complex legal agreements.
• Provide expert guidance to ensure consistency of practice and interpretation of collective agreements, labour law, human rights and employment legislation.
• Provide oversight in identifying and developing required procedures and documentation to ensure sharing of knowledge and consistency in practice.
• Provide oversight on projects and initiatives and at times, act as a project lead.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on improvements related to human resources policies, procedures and practices, assisting in the implementation/change management.
• Provide credible expert advice and consultation, education and support to the Human Resources and Faculty Relations teams as well as university leadership.
• Develops and leads training sessions/workshops for leaders across campus.
• Collaborate with other university departments to maximize partnership opportunities.
• Periodically survey industry and monitor labour relations decisions, sharing information on trends and providing recommendations.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining productive working relationships with staff groups and union officials that reflect the university’s commitment to a positive, interest-based, and collaborative labour relations environment.

Collective Bargaining

• Work with senior leaders and in consultation with the Director, HR, Employee and Labour Relations to develop bargaining mandates for both the MRFA and MRSA.
• Act as a liaison with the Alberta Provincial Bargaining and Compensation Office (PBCO).
• Act as a key contributor on collective bargaining teams, may act as lead in negotiations at the table. Lead or support post-ratification implementation plans for both the MRSA and MRFA, including delivering management training.
• Lead stakeholder consultations, gathering information to inform mandates.
• Prepare briefing materials for approval by the Board of Governors related to all labour relations matters.

Relationship Management and Collaboration

• Foster and maintain positive and effective problem-solving relationships with leaders, Human Resources, Faculty Relations and union officials.
• Work with Human Resources, Faculty Relations, leaders and union officials to constructively resolve conflict.

Team and Leadership Development

• In support of the Human Resources and Faculty Relations teams, provide recommendations for best practices, support the coordination of workflows, and review work to ensure consistency of practices.
• Provide educational support and identify training opportunities for leaders, Human Resources and Faculty Relations teams; ensuring knowledge of emerging trends, issues and updates.
• Provide change management support to enable continuous improvement and appropriately escalate emerging issues to the Director, HR, Employee and Labour Relations.

Qualifications

• A university degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, Business or a related field is required.
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation is an asset
• Minimum of 3-6 years of experience as a senior generalist in Human Resources in a unionized environment handling complex files
• 6-10 years of experience in a dedicated labour relations role is an asset
• Experience in working in post-secondary is an asset.
• Experience in assessing and managing employee claims and investigations.
• Knowledge of Alberta Employment Standards and Human Rights Legislation

Skills and Additional Requirements

• Strong facilitation, conflict resolution, change management and relationship management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to establish trust, sell ideas, influence others and build relationships with people at all levels of an organization.
• Exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Problem solver with the ability to diagnose and analyze root causes to issues and recommend sustainable solutions.
• Proven track record as a project lead with strong time management and project management skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset and approach to work, identifying opportunities for improvement and engaging appropriate stakeholders in the solution.
• A team player with demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and to operate in an often ambiguous, fast-paced and evolving environment.

Salary Range: $105,000 - $133,000

Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found