Manager Employee and Labour Relations

Manager Employee and Labour Relations

Status: Regular Full Time
Department: Human Resources - Labour Relations
Program: Human Resources
8 Hour Shifts, Days Schedule (Subject to Change)
Location: Oshawa
Wage Schedule: $55.120 - $77.830 per hour
File Number: 2500001816

Lakeridge Health is seeking a seasoned HR leader to join our team as Manager, Employee and Labour Relations. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the employee experience across one of Ontario's largest community hospital systems-supporting our people, advancing our culture, and contributing to high-quality, patient-centred care.

As one of Ontario's largest community health systems serving one of fastest growing areas of the province, Lakeridge Health is reimagining the future of Health Care in the Durham Region. Supported by a talented team of more than 7,700 physicians, nurses, health care professionals and volunteers across five hospital sites, a Long Term Care facility, and multiple off-site locations, Lakeridge Health is working with partners to create an integrated health system that supports people to achieve their best health.

We are looking for someone who brings deep technical expertise in employee and labour relations, with the ability to lead through complexity and change. The ideal candidate will combine strategic thinking with sound judgement, helping us foster a respectful, high-performing, and engaged workplace.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Employee and Labour Relations Leadership

" Oversee labour relations operations, including collective bargaining, contract administration, policy development, grievance resolution, and labour-management engagement
" Lead the planning and coordination of collective bargaining processes, develop negotiating strategies, and serve as chief spokesperson, ensuring alignment with Lakeridge Health's values, people strategy and operational goals
" Provide expert, proactive advice and guidance to all levels of leadership and HR partners on complex workplace matters including collective agreement interpretation, workplace investigations, performance concerns, conflict resolution, employment legislation, and disciplinary processes
" Participate in grievances, mediations, arbitrations, Labour Board proceeding and Human Rights hearings
" Maintain regular communication and constructive relationships with union partners, ensuring a collaborative approach to issue resolution
" Review, assess and evaluate the impact of collective agreement changes and employment legislation, including recommending and implementing appropriate actions for the resolution of potential workplace matters
" Monitor trends and emerging risks in employee relations and labour law, ensuring timely and effective responses

Team Leadership & Organizational Partnership

" Provide leadership to the Employee and Labour Relations team, building internal capability and ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery
" Support the Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP) model by aligning people practices with business needs and supporting leaders in their accountability for a healthy workplace culture that fosters respect, equity, and inclusion
" Lead and mentor SHRBP's and Workplace Investigators to ensure HR practices and decisions reflect consistency, fairness, and compliance with legislation and collective agreements
" Analyze data and trends to inform proactive strategies that reduce risk, enhance culture and drive Lakeridge Health's strategic priorities
" Oversee the development and delivery of training to leaders and HR partners on labour relations topics, legislative compliance, and policy application
" Collaborate with partners in Workforce Optimization, Finance, Organizational Development and IDEAA to implement HR strategies that support the organization's strategic priority of being a workplace of choice
" Participate in the planning, development, and implementation of programs and processes that advance employee engagement and retention

QUALIFICATIONS

" Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or a related field
" Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience, including in a unionized healthcare or broader public sector environment
" Minimum 3 years of experience leading and mentoring a team
" Expertise in labour and employee relations, collective bargaining, grievance handling, arbitration, and policy development
" Strong working knowledge of Ontario employment and labour law
" Experience leading complex employee relations investigations with professionalism, discretion, and integrity
" Proven ability to build trust and influence at all levels of an organization
" Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and resolve conflict effectively
" Collaborative leadership style with excellent communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills
" Experience managing or mentoring a high-performing HR team

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with Lakeridge Health's policies and procedures.

Lakeridge Health thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Successful External applicants must provide a satisfactory Criminal Investigation Reference for the vulnerable sector, dated within the past six (6) months.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment and assessment process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

At Lakeridge Health we value inclusion and diversity. We are committed to fostering a culture that is respectful, inclusive and accessible and to employing a workforce that is representative of the diverse community we provide services to. As an equal opportunity employer we welcome applications from all qualified applicants.

Lakeridge Health is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment and to preventing the transmission of COVID 19 infections among Lakeridge Health team members and our patients. New Lakeridge Health team members will be required to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 during their Post-offer/Pre-employment Health Assessment, subject to any exemptions recognized under the Ontario Human Rights code.