Manager, Labour Relations - Jobs in Vancouver, BC

Job Description

BE PART OF THE TEAM THAT BRINGS THE WORLD TOGETHERCareer Opportunity: Manager, Labour RelationsJoin an organization that plays a critical role in Canada’s economy. At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we focus on doing the incredible work it takes to become the world’s most sustainable port.The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and most diversified port. Our mandate as a Canada Port Authority, as set out by the Canada Marine Act , is to enable Canada’s trade objectives, ensuring goods are moved safely and responsibly through the Port of Vancouver. That means providing infrastructure and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic and cargo within the port. It also means we carry out reviews of proposed activities and developments on federal port lands and waters to determine whether a project can go ahead without impacts to the environment and community that cannot be mitigated.We are passionate about the work we do and what it contributes to our local communities, the region and our country. This is reflected in our values of collaboration, continuous improvement, accountability and customer responsiveness.Be a part of a team that advances initiatives to promote economic prosperity through trade, a healthy environment and thriving communities for the future generations of Canadians. It’s a workplace where the intrinsic value of your contribution to help foster the continued growth of the Canadian economy becomes a tangible reality. Bring your unique strengths, perspectives and experiences to the port authority and join us in charting a course toward a sustainable future.The Manager, Labour Relations is responsible for providing senior-level strategic labour relations expertise and advice to management on the interpretation of the collective agreement, and labour legislation and policies. This position will establish and maintain a collaborative working relationship with union representatives to foster a respectful and constructive labour relations environment, and play a key role in the collective bargaining process, grievance administration, and performance management.In this role, the successful candidate will:Accountabilities

• Assist people leaders to ensure legal compliance, consistent and appropriate application of practices and policies, and the interpretation and application of the collective agreement
• Provide support and guidance to people leaders on incident investigations and disciplinary matters
• Manage all grievances from their initial stage until final resolution, up to and including arbitration if necessary
• Actively promote strategies/processes that advance organizational/management business objectives; monitor management practices to identify those that are not conducive to promoting sound labour relations practices
• Integrate innovative, effective labour relations processes and systems into the organization to support organizational change efforts
• Research and explain laws and legal affairs concerning employment to people leaders and employees
• Advise and train managers in best employee relations practices and strategies for managing management problems and employee grievances. Develop further training as needed
• Provide consultation and coaching in sensitive and confidential employee relations matters; facilitate the performance management process
• Represent organization in contract negotiations, meetings, and negotiations with employee and labour organizations
• Collaborate with leadership on matters of policy and terms of memoranda of understanding before and throughout negotiation process
• Collaborate with legal counsel and departments in the preparation for and participation in negotiations with employee and labour groups
• Remain current by conducting research and analysis of new case law, labour arbitration cases and awards to determine trends and precedence
• Credible and knowledgeable advice in all areas of labour relations, including interpretation of the collective agreement, the Canada Labour Code, health and safety issues, arbitrations and jurisprudence to management and personnel responsible for bargaining unit employees

Leadership and Management

• Participate in the development of departmental plans and be responsible for the development and implementation of activities and programs designed to meet the intention of specific strategic priorities
• Participate as a member of various management and inter-departmental teams in the planning, implementation and management of business initiatives
• Plan, implement and review departmental staffing requirements for areas of responsibility, including the determination of clear position descriptions, accountabilities and reporting arrangements to optimize service delivery to all stakeholders
• Manage subordinates, ensuring that team and individuals are motivated, have defined position descriptions and reporting arrangements, their performance goals are clear and actively managed and development needs are defined and addressed
• Participate in the planning and the review of departmental operating costs, particularly with regard to staffing requirements, overheads, consultancy services, planned business programs and service provision
• Articulate and live the VFPA culture and values, set an example by modelling the required behaviours and hold others (staff and peers) accountable for their actions by identifying and acting on behaviour, which is inconsistent with agreed standards and values

Specific Competencies

• Must have excellent leadership qualities and management skills
• Must have effective decision-making, planning and initiative, while fostering the development of all of these competencies in VFPA’s emerging leaders
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships with people leaders across the business, within HR and with union
• Strategic thinker, issues manager, problem solver, negotiator, and highly engaging and compelling storyteller
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce and across multiple organizational levels
• Ability to engage others professionally and diplomatically on sensitive issues
• Ability to deliver impactful, informative, effective presentations
• Ability to influence others and gain understanding and acceptance of contrary opinions and viewpoints
• Comfortable managing matrixed relationships and ambiguity. Proven ability to influence outside of formal reporting structures and navigate relationships to achieve positive outcomes
• Effective conflict management skills and the ability to facilitate a collaborative working environment with customers/members and unions

Education & Experience

• A degree in industrial/labour relations, human resources, labour law, or a related discipline plus at least 5 years’ of related human resources experience in progressively more senior labour/industrial relations roles in a large, complex unionized environment, including a minimum of three (3) years’ at a strategic/leadership level.
• Thorough knowledge of human resource principles and labour relations methods and procedures
• Skilled in applying negotiation and mediation techniques in a business environment
• Advanced knowledge in all areas of HR policy and compliance, including but not limited to return to work, employee/labour relations, grievance management, policy management, compliance, conduct and risk, and employment law
• Understand the unique challenges of working in both a union and non-union environment, ensuring risks are proactively addressed and considered in alignment with port authority’s people strategy
• Proven track record of leading through operational change and implementing new ways of working across a broad, diverse team

Working Conditions

• Normal office conditions

The Port Authority offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including an Earned Time Off program.This work is Canadian based employment and expected to be performed from our Vancouver office location.Please note this posting will remain open until filled.We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.Please forward a resume and cover letter, in confidence to Samantha Kent:Samantha Kent – Strive RecruitmentEmail: samantha@striverecruitment.caVancouver Fraser Port Authority is dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our community .Learn more about us at www.portvancouver.comQuick Apply

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