Director, Human Resources, Employee and Labour Relations

Job Description:
About the Department of Human Resources
Mount Royal University’s dedicated team of Human Resources professionals is here to provide a range of services for prospective and current employees including: professional development, talent acquisition, consultancy services, and information on policies, payroll, benefits, and more.

About the Role
Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources (AVP, HR), the Director, Human Resources, Employee and Labour Relations, is an integral member of the Human Resources team. The Director, Human Resources, Employee and Labour Relations will manage complex employee and labour relations matters, ensure HR programs, policies and initiatives support and enable University and faculty/departmental strategic priorities, promote performance management, and work with the AVP, HR on assessing and managing employee complaints through the investigation process.

The Director will also manage a team of HR professionals with guidance on grievances, terminations, HR policies, EDI and Indigenous initiatives, and day-to-day HR support, as required. They will provide sound advice to ensure consistent application of fairness and equity in the organization. The Director will represent the HR Office and provide recommendations to the AVP, HR on matters pertaining to HR programming, labour relations, workplace policy, and special initiatives.



Responsibilities
Support the University strategic directives and lead and support HR initiatives
Support the execution of HR services and programs with tools and information that meet the needs of our clients, create efficiency, deliver integrated people solutions, and foster collaboration.

Provide HR partnering support while working with the HR team to leaders across the University and ensure key HR practices are aligned with employment standards and provide integrated solutions to the organization that mitigates risk and improve processes and procedures.

Key contributor in the continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, programs, initiatives, and processes in line with legislation and industry best practices.

Strong leadership, coaching, facilitation, conflict resolution and relationship management skills.

Oversee and provide direction and guidance on programs, policies and services with regard to terms and conditions of employment for management and exempt employees.

Work collaboratively with the AVP, HR and the rest of the HR leadership team on matters of HR governance, strategic and operational planning, and professional/consultative budget management.



Labour relations strategy and oversight
Provide leadership, direction and support at an operational and strategic level, on the design, development, delivery of employee and labour relations services.

Support labour relations strategy through the development and implementation of a framework with streamlined, repeatable and best-practice approaches toward planning, negotiating, implementing and administering collective bargaining agreements.

Provide strategic recommendations to leadership on labour best practices to facilitate strategic vision.

Build and foster relationships with bargaining units and the overall University community related to soliciting input, feedback, and buy-in on a variety of employee and labour relations-related matters.

Participate in and support the Employee and Labour Relations team and Faculty Relations in bargaining new collective agreements, negotiating letters of understanding, grievance and arbitration settlements and other complex legal agreements.

Support and provide guidance related to employee conduct matters and associated investigations process, policies and services.

Research and prepare briefing materials for approval by the Board of Governors including bargaining mandates.

Acquire and translate pertinent changes to employment-related legislation, and the impact on the University and the labour/employee relations environment.

Consult with legal counsel regarding labour strategies, legislation or other applicable labour relations issues; develop and support maintenance of legal advice repository.

Responsible for staying abreast of related legislation and jurisprudence to act as an expert resource to Employee & Labour Relations, Human Resources and the University as a whole and ensure prompt and accurate service delivery.



HR business partnerships
Advance the HR consulting model, in partnership with other functional areas of HR, by proactively identifying business needs and priorities in order to inform the development of effective programs, strategies and solutions.

Demonstrate strong business partnering skills, act as a thought partner in advising and influencing leadership at all levels of the organization.

Provide professional and confidential advice to management and senior leadership on sensitive matters and act as an escalation point for complex issues.

Serve as an expert on all things people, offering coaching and guidance to the HR Business Partner team and senior leadership.

Partner with other HR teams and leadership to assist in the creation, development and execution of effective people strategies, programs, and initiatives.

Provide leadership in the development of new HR policies, procedures, programs and initiatives.



Qualifications
Education
University Bachelor Degree in a related discipline

MBA, Masters in Human Resources or other relevant graduate-level degree is an asset

Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation is an asset



Experience
At least 5 years of experience leading, coaching, developing and managing a diverse team of HR professionals

Minimum of 5 years of experience in labour relations either in a dedicated role or in a generalist capacity with significant labour relations exposure

8-10 years experience as an HR Business Partner

Experience in working in post-secondary is an asset

Experience in assessing and managing employee claims and investigations

Experience in bargaining new collective agreements, negotiating letters of understanding, grievance and arbitration settlements, and other complex legal agreements

Knowledge of Alberta Employment Standards and Human Rights Legislation



Skills and additional requirements
Strong leadership, coaching, 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

A team player who engages and cross collaborates across the team

Continuous improvement mindset and approach to work, identifying opportunities for improvement and engaging appropriate stakeholders in the solution

Flexible, adaptable, learns quickly demonstrates courage and self-awareness; proficient in MS Office and experience with various HR Systems (ie. Banner) would be an asset

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

Proficient knowledge of and ability to support and lead labour negotiations

Demonstrated ability to support a values-based culture that supports all employees

Demonstrated leadership and success in building and celebrating a diverse and inclusive workplace


Salary: $124,282.00 - $171,508.00

Closing Date: Open until suitable candidate is found



This position will remain open until filled, with an initial review of applications beginning early to mid May 2025. Early applications are encouraged.

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, ++++++, CV.pdf).