Director Labour Relations, Occupational Health & Safety; Legal Counsel

Job Overview

At CAMH, people are at the centre of what we do. As the largest academic mental health hospital in Canada, CAMH provides care and treatment to patients with mental health and addiction illnesses, while also being an advocate and leading global research. The People & Experience department is central to advancing our mission and to supporting an engaged, high‑performing workforce that enables world‑leading mental health care, research and education. People and Experience is responsible for labour relations, employee relations, health and safety, as well as talent acquisition, training and development, performance management, workforce planning, compliance and regulatory issues, succession planning, organisational culture and change management, total rewards, and workforce mental health, amongst other functions.

Responsibilities

Reporting into the Vice‑President, People & Experience, the Director of Labour Relations & Occupational Health & Safety & Legal Counsel will provide strategic leadership across labour relations, employee relations, occupational health and safety, disability management and labour and employment law compliance functions. With approximately 80% of staff unionised, the role will oversee complex employee and labour relations matters, including grievance and arbitration hearings, lead bargaining strategy, manage workplace safety strategy, claims and accommodation programs, and ensure regulatory compliance while managing organisational risk. The Director will lead multidisciplinary teams and cross‑functional initiatives that support workforce effectiveness, organisational change and a safe, inclusive, and compliant workplace. The Director will work closely with other portfolio areas and with the other two directors to ensure CAMH remains a safe, inclusive, and high‑performing workplace aligned with our mission and values.

Qualifications and Experience

You are a strategic, systems‑minded leader with the ability to navigate complexity, influence at all levels and deliver results in a highly unionised healthcare setting.

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor from an accredited institution is required.
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) is required.
• Minimum of 6–10 years of progressive experience in labour relations leadership, occupational health & safety and employment law in unionised environments (healthcare preferred) or equivalent private practice and/or in‑house counsel experience.
• Deep expertise in collective bargaining, grievance/arbitration management and related litigation, and labour strategy.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of occupational health and safety law and principles.
• Proven ability to advise and influence senior leadership and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with OHS programs, disability management, and return‑to‑work initiatives.
• Ability to balance organisational priorities through alignment of frontline teams, peer leadership and executives to advance CAMH mission, goals and objectives.
• Experience in a multi‑unionised or public sector setting preferred.
• High performer adept at building productive working relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and preparing defensible reports for arbitrations and civil actions.
• Experience representing employers at arbitration hearings and with tribunals and courts.
• Strong understanding of change management principles and experience implementing people‑related change.
• Judgement, discretion, critical thinking and analytical skills at a superior level.
• Track record of building and sustaining collaborative, high‑performing teams; ability to lead with vision, set ambitious goals, innovate, improve and promote accountability.
• Expertise in employment and labour legislation in Ontario and knowledge of labour law across Canada.
• Extensive experience preparing legal documents and responses to statements of claim, human rights complaints, matters before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ministry of Labour, etc.
• Excellent communicator with exceptional oral and written skills.
• Familiarity with the healthcare sector and understanding of unique challenges and regulations related to mental health care is an asset.

What CAMH Offers

Compensation & Benefits: Salary is competitive and based on experience, with a hiring range of $147,698.95 – $184,623.68 per year (based on leadership experience, qualifications, and organisational needs).

Full Salary Range: $147,698.95 – $221,548.42 per year (reflecting progressive growth and leadership tenure).

CAMH Advantage: Includes participation in the HOOPP defined benefit pension plan, comprehensive extended health and wellness benefits, and opportunities to shape healthcare innovation and growth at CAMH and beyond its walls.

Please note: This permanent position is not part of any bargaining unit.

CAMH is a fully affiliated teaching hospital and research institute of the University of Toronto. As a CAMH employee, you will contribute to our mission by supporting teaching, research, and clinical care across the hospital.

CAMH is dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment is to foster a workplace, teaching, and learning environment that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination or harassment.

CAMH strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples; Black and other racialised communities; LGBTQ2S+ communities; women; and people with disabilities, including those with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Thank you to all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require accommodations during the application or recruitment process, please let us know.

Through its core values of Courage, Respect and Excellence, CAMH is implementing its Strategic Plan: Connected CAMH, to transform lives, ignite innovation and discovery, revolutionise education and drive social change.

To learn more about CAMH, please visit https://www.camh.ca/

To view our Land Acknowledgement, please click here.

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