Director, Employee and Labour Relations

About The Salvation Army

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Vision Statement

We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

Core Values

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda has four core values:

Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

About the Position

Reporting to the Senior Director, Healthy Workplace Relations, this position is accountable for the design and execution of a positive employee relations approach, aligned to the Design for People strategic organizational pillar, which includes constructive union-management relationships and collective bargaining processes. The Director, Employee Relations is a subject matter expert that has deep experience in unionized environments and has expert proficiency in the negotiation, simplification and streamlining of collective bargaining agreements.

Further, this role acts as the chief strategist and negotiator on The Salvation Army’s significant union agreements and provides advice and expertise to leaders to ensure consistency and efficiency in the resolution of complex union relation matters while ensuring adherence to collective agreements and all relevant legislation.

• Develops and operationalizes strategic plans to standardize collective agreements, deliver service excellence and increase capability in cost effective, high impact employee and union relations.
• Collaborates with stakeholders in the development, recommendation and implementation of employee and union relations strategies.
• Leads change to install and promote new ways of working; involves framing and collaborating to communicate and align territorial, divisional and ministry unit approaches that support positive employee and union relations.
• Develops, recommends, and implements guidelines for collective agreement negotiations, interpretation, and administration to ensure consistency across the organization in accordance with the employee and union relations strategy.
• Directs and continuously improves centrally managed expert services in employee and union relations including pre-negotiations planning/strategizing with MU leaders to deliver planned outcomes during collective agreement negotiations.
• Acts as the chief negotiator on The Salvation Army’s key union relations agreements.
• Plays a key role in establishing good communications and fostering a positive union relations climate with all key stakeholders.
• Influences and mitigates risks by ensuring delivery of effective and timely solutions/services.
• Provides leadership and oversight to the employee and union relations team and leads arbitration management and strategic choice points.
• Represents TSA at arbitration/board hearings and oversees decisions on legal representation and budget.
• Ensures appropriate development of employee and union relations skills through the planning, development and implementation of training seminars and information sessions (i.e., grievance handling, employee discipline, etc.)
• Provides trend analysis and recommendations to senior executive team to mitigate possible employee relations risks to the organization.
• Conducts organizational analysis of employee relations activities and collaborates with key internal partners, to identify prevalent concerns. Based on this research, proactively identify enhancements across employment policies and frameworks to mitigate risk and recommend improvements.
• Maintains a network of internal and external contacts to regularly benchmark and remain current on future trends and developments related to employee relations programs, policies and strategies.
• Oversees, manages, leads, coaches, guides, and mentor employee relations staff.

• Completion of university degree in industrial relations, law, human resources or business administration or related field
• Post graduate education/certification in specialty areas is preferred (e.g. Labour and Industrial Relations)

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of prior related experience as an employee/union relations manager in a large, multi-union environment leading a team of employee relations professionals
• Knowledge of strategic and tactical problem-solving approaches and an ability to convert strategic objectives into tangible action plans and results
• Experience as chief negotiator in collective bargaining, plus extensive collective agreement interpretation and advising along with grievance/arbitration process
• Exceptional ability to influence others
• Acts as a strategic collaborator that provides services such as representation, support and advice for complex union and employment related matters
• Excellent knowledge of human resources practices in a unionized environment
• Manages a team of employee relations experts whose mandate is to address files of strategic importance related to individual and collective agreements and disputes
• Fluent understanding and experience applying multiple acts and statutes, including the Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Human Rights Code, and Pay Equity Act

• Must be able to establish credibility quickly within the organization as a trusted advisor, coach and thinking partner; able to work in a consultative, diplomatic manner.
• Ability to negotiate resolutions, potentially in confrontational environments, as well as handle more subtle, informal interactions.
• People oriented leader with strong communication, relationship building, listening and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in Employee and Union Relations.
• Familiarity with and respect for collegial and healthy organizational culture is critical, as is the demonstrated ability to lead in an inclusive, collaborative and consensus-building style.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to diversity.

TSA Leadership Capabilities:

Mission and Spiritual Development Capabilities

• Solid understanding of and is committed to the Mission and Core Values of The Salvation Army and the advancement of integrated mission in the Ministry Unit they resource, serve, support.
• Adheres to TSA practices, principles, operating policies, applicable orders and regulations.
• Demonstrates a healthy and respectful understanding of TSA distinctives, values and culture and their place in holistic contemporary ministry, reflected in their ministry context.
• Demonstrates a commitment to service and a capacity to engage in open dialogue regarding service opportunities for themselves and for the service they oversee.
• Committed to identifying ministry development plans/goals, and evaluates mission effectiveness, adapting strategies/ approaches; taking responsibility to follow through for successful outcomes for your function or service area.
• Strives to meet human need, build community partnerships and identify opportunities for new and improved ministry in service to mission advancement and strategic priorities.
• Affirms and encourages the utilization of people’s gifts, strengths and abilities, ensuring that priority is given to the spiritual needs expressed by clients and employees within their jurisdiction.
• Effectively communicates with Salvation Army leaders to gain support and approval of proposed change initiatives in compliance with TSA policies and practices.

Lead Self

• Demonstrates awareness of the impact of their behaviour on others.
• Maintains balance and composure when challenged, taking responsibility for their own performance, health, and resiliency.
• Is an active learner who visibly seeks feedback to improve staff engagement and results and challenges themselves to develop.
• Models qualities of honesty, integrity, resilience, confidence and humility.

Engage Others

• Fosters the development of others to achieve professional and personal goals, ensuring adequate resources are available for staff to grow and perform at their personal best.
• Supports healthy work environments where others have meaningful opportunities to contribute.
• Listens actively and encourages open and honest conversations and respect for diversity.
• Communicates organizational priorities and successes.
• Facilitates team cooperation and collaboration among diverse groups.
• Provides constructive feedback, coaching, mentoring to develop staff.

Achieve Results

• Sets direction and inspires vision by communicating clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes aligned to strategic priorities and relevant parameters and constraints.
• Incorporates mission and values into decision-making processes.
• Takes action to implement decisions aligned with mission and values.
• Gains support of key stakeholders for successful implementation
• Engages staff and other stakeholders in evaluation of results for learning and improvement.

Develop Coalitions

• Creates connections, trust and shared meaning through building relationships and networks internally and externally to create results.
• Facilitates collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships among diverse groups and perspectives with a commitment to clients/service.
• Facilitates the open exchange of information and quality evidence to mobilize knowledge that improves outcomes.
• Navigates conflict and mobilizes support and commitment to support achievement.

System Transformation

• Demonstrates systems/critical thinking by questioning, identifying root issues, and designing effective solutions and processes.
• Encourages and supports continuous improvement and creativity aimed at systemic and sustainable change.
• Orients themselves to understanding best practices and relevant trends that impact future direction.
• Champions changes by focusing on positive outcomes expected and participating in decision-making/communication related to change.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $122,026 to $152,532 with the ability to progress to a maximum of $183,039. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

Other Details

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please let us know if you have a need for any accommodation.

We thank all applicants and will contact candidates selected for next steps. Internal Applicants are encouraged to notify their current supervisor when applying for a new position within The Salvation Army.