Director, Labour Relations and People Partnership
Job Requirements
The Director, Labour Relations & People Partnerships leads the organization’s labour relations and strategic people partnership functions, delivering integrated workforce support through a team of client-facing Advisors in a complex unionized environment.
As a member of the People Services senior leadership team, the Director works with peer leaders to develop and deliver people strategies that support organizational priorities and successful outcomes for schools, students, and employees.
The role provides senior guidance on complex or high-risk workforce matters and translates organizational priorities into clear plans, service expectations, and measurable results for the function.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced labour and employee relations professional who brings strong people leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to translate organizational priorities into
operational results.
Leading a team of Advisors who partner directly with operational leaders, the Director provides strategic oversight of workforce matters across a complex unionized environment. The role balances labour relations expertise with practical business partnership, supporting leaders to navigate workforce challenges while advancing organizational priorities.
Working closely with Superintendents, Area Directors, and People Services colleagues, the Director plays a key role in strengthening leadership capability, managing workforce risk, and delivering integrated people strategies that support schools and system success.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Leading the Labour Relations & People Partnerships function and developing a high-performing advisory team.
- Supporting senior leaders on complex workforce matters including employee and labour relations, investigations, performance, attendance, accommodation, and organizational change.
- Advancing strategy on grievances, arbitrations, workplace disputes, human rights matters, and employment-related claims in partnership with Legal Services and external counsel.
- Supporting the administration of collective agreements and maintaining constructive labour relationships between bargaining rounds.
- Partnering with People Services leaders to deliver coordinated workforce strategies and organizational initiatives.
- Supporting bargaining preparation and participating in negotiations as assigned.
Qualifications
You are a thoughtful, credible leader who combines strong labour relations expertise with a practical, partnership-oriented approach to supporting operational leaders.
- Significant progressive experience (typically 8–12 years) in employee and labour relations, human resources, or related leadership roles, including leadership experience in a complex unionized environment.
- Demonstrated success advising senior leaders on sensitive workforce matters and translating strategic priorities into delivered results through others.
- Experience managing grievances, workplace investigations, claims, and external counsel.
- Strong knowledge of labour, employment, human rights, privacy, and related legislation.
- The ability to build trust, navigate complexity, and influence across multiple stakeholders.
- Collective bargaining experience is considered an asset.
Education
- Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business, Public Administration, or related discipline.
- CPHR designation preferred.
- Graduate studies in leadership, organizational change, strategic HR management, or labour relations are considered an asset.