Senior Consultant Employee/Labour Relations & Dispute Resolution

Senior Consultant Employee/Labour Relations & Dispute Resolution

McMaster University

Reference #: MG-18018

McMaster University

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centered university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being and has achieved an international reputation as a center of excellence for teaching and learning, innovation, and creativity.

At McMaster University, their people are their most valuable asset. McMaster strives to attract, develop, and retain the best faculty and staff, and to foster an inclusive community which values the strengths, perspectives and contributions of each individual. McMaster’s profile and stature has evolved to one of the Top 100 Universities in the World and recognition as Canada’s Most Research-Intensive University. McMaster is a diverse and complex institution, home to almost 30,000 graduate and undergraduate students who study across six faculties and employing approximately 14,000 individuals annually in more than 20 unique employee groups. McMaster has been continuously recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton / Niagara region, and one of Canada’s Top Diversity Employers.

Human Resources Services at McMaster is committed to delivering people and culture solutions that advance McMaster’s vision, mission and strategic priorities. By providing impactful programs, expert HR counsel, and trusted partnerships, HR team members strive to optimize workforce strategy, inclusivity, and operational efficiency, while advancing HR excellence. Check out McMaster’s 2023-27 HR Strategy at hr.mcmaster.ca!

Position Profile

Now, on behalf of McMaster University, we are seeking a Senior Consultant, Employee/Labour Relations & Dispute Resolution to join their team. The Senior Consultant is a senior member of the HR team and is accountable to promote a positive overall employee & labour relations culture and climate at McMaster University and to develop and implement employee & labour relations programs and strategies to ensure institutional compliance with labour and employment legislation, including the Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Human Rights Code.

The Senior Consultant provides strategic advice to leaders and human resources staff as an expert within the university’s Labour Relations Centre of Expertise and HR Service Delivery model, including leadership in key subject matter areas including collective bargaining, strategic grievance handling, workplace investigations, union relations, alternative dispute resolution and conflict mediation. This role requires a senior level professional that has demonstrated the ability to balance their Labour Relations technical knowledge with the strong ability to build partnerships with clients in support of achieving their business goals. Throughout your career you have been recognized as a strategic thinker with the ability to foster and sustain a collaborative culture with a focus on providing comprehensive and integrated ELR coaching and support to employees, HR leads, University leadership and union representatives.

Senior Consultant Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree and Master of Industrial Relations or Labour Law degree or equivalent experience.
• Advanced understanding of the principles and practices of employee and labour relations, labour and employment laws, as well as collective bargaining and collective agreements.
• Experience working in the public sector or more specifically within the post-secondary sector dealing with faculty relations practices would be considered an asset.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated skills in successful dispute resolution and creative problem solving.
• Strong mediation and conflict resolution abilities to effectively manage disputes and grievances within a unionized environment.
• Proficient in collective agreement administration, including but not limited to interpretation, implementation, and compliance.
• Demonstrated experience in bargaining processes, with the ability to negotiate effectively and efficiently.
• Strong aptitude in dispute resolution techniques, capable of resolving conflicts in a fair and diplomatic manner.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex labour relations concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in fostering positive working relationships with union representatives, faculty members, administrative staff, and other stakeholders to promote collaborative labour relations.
• Provide expert advice, guidance, and support to management and staff on labour relations matters, ensuring compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and legislation.
• Proven experience fostering a culture that embraces Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion through the engagement of broad and diverse perspectives to enrich the working environment.
• Superior skills in critical analysis, strategic thinking, written communication, and building effective relationships.
• Goal and achievement oriented.

If you are intrigued and invigorated by the details of this opportunity to bring your experience to an important, and key role with McMaster University, we would love to have a conversation.

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button below.  

For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Natalie Lagace, Recruitment Specialist, at nlagace@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Mark or Natalie know.

Meridia Recruitment and McMaster University invite applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, McMaster is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and employment equity in the workplace. We especially encourage qualified candidates from the Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit), Black and racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, persons who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.