Executive Director, Employee and Labour Relations

Recognized as Canada’s top university under the age of 50, and one of Montreal’s top Employers, Concordia University is the place to be if you are looking to grow, contribute and innovate in a dynamic and multicultural environment.

Be part of a community that addresses society’s big challenges, supports your personal and professional growth, and makes a real impact in building a more sustainable world.

As a member of our community, you will have access to comprehensive benefits, a defined pension plan and numerous on site well-being facilities such as a state of the art gym and health clinic as well as a variety of educational and cultural opportunities.

NOTE: This posting represents a five (5) year full-time renewable contract position.

SCOPE
Reporting to the Associate Vice-President Human Resources, the incumbent acts as a key member of the HR management and leadership team, and is responsible for the strategic leadership of the HR Employee and Labour Relations. They oversee Concordia-wide function and the development of Employee and Labour Relations (ELR) programs and policies to support Concordia’s management team.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Lead the Employee and Labour Relations functions; coordinate, support and facilitate the advancement of institutional goals in progressive employee relations. 
•    Develop and promote, along with the ELR team members, constructive and collaborative relationships with employee unions and other employee groups with a view to enhance the work experience of employees and support the attainment of institutional goals. 
•    Manage the daily operation of the ELR Unit; establish priorities and objectives for the unit aligned with the strategic plans of the Department and of the University.
•    Advise and assist managers at all levels to advance and meet the University’s goals of establishing practices and policies for consistent and sound employee relations.
•    Provide guidance and advice on issues respecting human resources and employee relations management, collective agreements (negotiation, information, interpretation, application), performance matters, workplace investigations, grievances, complaints and arbitration, organizational change, Quebec labour relations-related legislation and regulations, etc.
•    Act as the University’s spokesperson in the negotiation of Collective Agreements; negotiate and draft settlement agreements, implement, interpret and administer Collective Agreements. 
•    Oversee, manage, lead, coach, guide and mentor ELR staff.
•    Work with the University community towards grievance, complaints and conflict resolutions and represent the University at arbitration hearings when necessary. 
•    Contribute, along with all members of the HR leadership team, to the formulation of HR’s operational and strategic goals and objectives.
•    Assess the potential risks of given situations involving employee relations management and bring to the attention of managers.
•    Develop line management employee relations skills through the planning, development and implementation of seminars and information sessions for the University managers.

QUALIFICATIONS
•    Bachelor in Industrial Relations, Human Resources Management or related discipline, over ten years of experience in Labour Relations including experience as a spokesperson in collective bargaining.
•    Member of «Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines et relations industrielles du Québec ».
•    Experience managing and negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and handling arbitrations.  
•    History of innovative and progressive Employee Relations philosophy and practice with strong and demonstrated problem solving skills.
•    Strong communication and relationship building skills with all levels of management and proven ability to provide meaningful recommendations to leadership in a variety of employee and labour-related areas.
•    Strong leadership skills, demonstrated by the ability to build strong relationships to achieve positive employee and labour-management relations and outcomes.
•    Sound knowledge and experience of employment and labour legislation in Québec.
•    Good knowledge (Level 4) of spoken and written French. Very good knowledge (Level 5) of spoken and written English.
•    Good knowledge (Intermediate Level) of professional office tools (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point).
•    Comfort in providing advice to senior and all management; understands strategic objectives of senior executive portfolios.
•    Strong strategic agility and sound ethics and values to act with integrity.
•    Action oriented and client focused.