Manager, Employee & Labour Relations

About The Salvation Army

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Vision Statement

We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

Core Values

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda has four core values :

Hope : We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Service : We reach out to support others without discrimination.

Dignity : We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.

Stewardship : We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

About the Position

Reporting to the Director, Labour & Employee Relations, this position is accountable for the execution of a positive labour and employee relations approach, aligned with the Army’s strategic organizational plans, which includes constructive union-management relationships and collective bargaining processes.

The Labour and Employee Manager is a subject matter expert that has extensive experience in both union and non-union environments and has expert proficiency in labour negotiations, grievance and arbitration resolution and has the ability to facilitate training as needed.

Further, this role acts as chief negotiator on several of The Salvation Army’s union agreements and provides advice and expertise to leaders to ensure consistency and efficiency in the resolution of complex union relation matters while ensuring adherence to collective agreements and all relevant legislation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Follows strategic plans to standardize collective agreements, deliver service excellence and increase capability in cost effective, high impact union and employee relations.
• Collaborates with stakeholders in the development, recommendation and implementation of labour and employee relations strategies.
• Installs and promotes new ways of working; involves framing and collaborating to communicate and align territorial, divisional and ministry unit approaches that support positive employee and union relations.
• Follows guidelines for collective agreement negotiations, interpretation, and administration to ensure consistency across the organization in accordance with the employee and union relations strategy.
• Works to continuously improve centrally managed expert services in labour and employee relations including pre-negotiations planning / strategizing with MU leaders to deliver planned outcomes during collective agreement negotiations.
• Acts as the chief negotiator as assigned for The Salvation Army.
• Play a key role in establishing good communication and fostering a positive union relations climate with all key stakeholders.
• Influence and mitigate risks by ensuring delivery of effective and timely solutions / services.
• Represents TSA at arbitration / board hearings as assigned.
• Facilitate labour and employee relations training as required.
• Maintains a network of internal and external contacts to regularly benchmark and remain current on future trends and developments related to labour and employee relations programs, policies and strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS :

• Completion of Master university degree in industrial relations, law, human resources or business administration, related field considered an asset.
• Post graduate education / certification in specialty areas (e.g. Labour and Industrial Relations) considered as an asset.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of prior related experience as a labour / employee relations manager in a large, multi-union environment leading labour and employee relations professionals.
• Knowledge of strategic and tactical problem-solving approaches and an ability to convert strategic objectives into tangible action plans and results.
• Experience as chief negotiator in collective bargaining, plus extensive collective agreement interpretation and advising along with grievance / arbitration process.
• Exceptional ability to influence others.
• Provides services such as representation, support and advice for union and employment related matters.
• Excellent knowledge of human resources practices in a unionized environment.
• Fluent understanding and experience applying multiple acts and statutes, including the Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Human Rights Code, and Pay Equity Act.

PREFERRED SKILLS / CAPABILITIES :

• thinking partner; able to work in a consultative, diplomatic manner.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in labour and employee relations.
• Familiarity with and respect for collegial and healthy organizational culture is critical, as is the demonstrated ability to lead in an inclusive, collaborative and consensus-building style.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to diversity.
• Solid understanding of and is committed to the Mission and Core Values of The Salvation Army and the advancement of integrated mission in the Ministry Unit they resource / serve / support.
• Adheres to TSA practices, principles, operating policies, applicable orders and regulations.
• Demonstrates a healthy and respectful understanding of TSA distinctives, values and culture and their place in holistic contemporary ministry, reflected in their ministry context.
• Demonstrates a commitment to service and a capacity to engage in open dialogue regarding service opportunities for themselves and for the service they oversee.
• Committed to identifying ministry development plans / goals, and evaluates mission effectiveness, adapting strategies / approaches;

taking responsibility to follow through for successful outcomes for your function or service area.

• Strives to meet human need, build community partnerships and identify opportunities for new and improved ministry in service to mission advancement and strategic priorities.
• Affirms and encourages the utilization of people’s gifts, strengths and abilities, ensuring that priority is given to the spiritual needs expressed by clients and employees within their jurisdiction.
• Maintains balance and composure when challenged, taking responsibility for their own performance, health, and resiliency.
• Sets direction and inspires vision by communicating clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes aligned to strategic priorities and relevant parameters and constraints.
• Incorporates mission and values into decision-making processes. Takes action to implement decisions aligned with mission and values.
• Gains support of key stakeholders for successful implementation.
• Engages staff and other stakeholders in evaluation of results for learning and improvement.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $88,205 to $110,256 with the ability to progress to a maximum of $132,307. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

Other Details

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please let us know if you have a need for any accommodation.

We thank all applicants and will contact candidates selected for next steps. Internal Applicants are encouraged to notify their current supervisor when applying for a new position within The Salvation Army.