Director, Labour Relations

Job Information

Overall Purpose

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director of Labour Relations is responsible for:

• Providing leadership and direction for labour relations function at the Ottawa Police Service through planning, coordinating, and managing the implementation of labour relations activities, programs / services, and strategic human resources initiatives within the organization, consistent with corporate strategic direction and corporate vision. 
• The Director serves as a subject matter expert advisor in the OPS collective bargaining process and manages the grievance and arbitration process. 
• Responsible for the provision of labour relations consulting services and the effective recommendations on employment related matters to management teams across the organization. 
• Providing expert leadership, interpretation, and advice on Collective Agreements and the application of organizational policies affecting labour relations.
• Represents the OPS internally and externally in various leadership and public capacities requiring LR expertise and / or Senior LR representation.
• Participates in the Human Resources Management Team and provides input into the development of budgets, improvement and implementation of service delivery policies, procedures and strategies. 
   

Major Responsibilities

Provide leadership and direction for labour relations function at the Ottawa Police Service through planning, coordinating, and managing the implementation of labour relations activities, programs / services, and strategic human resources initiatives within the organization, consistent with corporate strategic direction and corporate vision:  

• Establishing objectives and planning the work of Labour Relations team that aligns a philosophy, goals, objectives and outcomes consistent with corporate strategic direction and corporate vision. 
• Consult with partners and key contributors to provide advice and feedback ensuring the labour relations component is incorporated into recommendations and proposals (including return to work agreements, accommodations, and respectful workplace case conferences, unsatisfactory work performance, harassment and discrimination cases, and other related activities).
• Manage and oversee the implementation of strategic labour / employee relations initiatives by developing plans and gathering individuals / teams to successfully implement strategic goals and objectives identified by the Ottawa Police Service. 
• Disseminate labour and employee relations related information / training through bulletins, courses, and ongoing consultation services.
• Maintain historical archive of Employee & Labour Relations documentation including Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Understanding, current and previous collective agreements, case conference files, etc. to capture documentation of significant decisions and to provide support to the decision making process for ongoing and future issues. 
• Support organizational change and redesign that arise out of restructuring by partnering / consulting with clients to ensure changes are aligned with proper labour relations and human resources practices. 
• Manage and coach staff by monitoring, evaluating, and providing feedback (both verbally and in the Tracking Log) on performance to both supervisors and staff; promote the personal and professional development of staff; complete the annual Performance Reviews for staff, and strive always to ensure a respectful workplace.
• Ensure staff are aware of Office of the Chief directives and communiqués, and have familiarity with and adhere to OPS policies, procedures, adequacy standards and the operational protocols of the section.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant Organizational policies and procedures including their application and Director’s responsibility in adhering to and enforcing these policies.
• Accountable for the development, monitoring, and reporting of financial resources including all overtime in their section as per the Overtime Management Policy. 
• Responsible for developing and monitoring operating budgets and for managing the human resources within the unit.
   

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Leads and / or serves as a subject matter expert advisor in the OPS collective bargaining process and manages the grievance and arbitration process.

• Provide the Chief with recommendations on appropriate use of OPS resources (Human and Capital) in implementation of decisions / settlements; negotiate with Associations on behalf of the Chief and the Executive on a variety of workplace issues such as resignations, accommodations, discipline, and respectful workplace issues to mitigate organizational risks.
• Support the Police Services Board with the bargaining process as required.
• Represent management / the Chief at grievance and arbitration hearings:
• Ensure grievance and arbitration hearings are consistent with operational needs and in line with organizational objectives.
• Identify future risks and liabilities.
• Ensure appropriate handling of complex grievance issues that have broad organizational or political implications.

Responsible for the provision of labour relations consulting services and the effective recommendations on employment related matters to management teams across the organization. 

• Act as a senior advisor to the Chief and the Executive and provide strategic and operational labour and employee relations advice to various OPS Committees as required. 

Provide expert leadership and advice on Collective Agreement interpretation and the application of organizational policies affecting labour relations: 

• Foster and facilitate effective use, interpretation, development and management of collective agreements, related policies, guidelines, and decision making with the Board, the Executive, Associations, and employees to ensure consistency and compliance with legislation, precedents, organizational policies, and procedures.
• Direct Employee Relations staff in the provision of advice / counsel to management with respect to application / interpretation of collective agreements and all related legislation, and in the preparation of agreements / settlements; ensures staff provide accurate and consistent advice and services on all employment related matters, including accommodation, discipline, performance management.
• Establish and maintain good labour relations with Association representatives and encourages / manages resolution of conflicts / disputes, including 3rd party involvement.
   

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Represents the OPS and LR internally and externally in various leadership and public capacities requiring LR expertise and / or Senior LR representation:

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining positive and constructive relationships with internal management and external partners. 
• Represent OPS as a member of Provincial and Federal Committees. 
• Liaises regularly with staff at the City of Ottawa, with senior officials at organizations comparable to the Police Service, partner organizations, and the executive of the Police and Senior Officers’ Associations.  
• Serving on committees, task forces, working groups, etc., to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest. 
• Oversee the preparation of quarterly reports to the Board in accordance with the Chief’s Reporting Requirements.
• Required to attend Police Service Board meetings and prepare briefings to the Police Service Board members.

Participates in the Human Resources Management Team and provides input into the development of budgets, strategic, operational and human resource plans and Directorate-wide service delivery polices and standards. 

• Participate in discussions establishing the organizational structure, priorities, strategic/financial plans, goals and objectives; recommending to the CHRO any modifications to programs, budgets, policies and procedures. 
• Identifying opportunities for improvements in planning and service delivery. 
• Identifying budget requirements to ensure that the program is delivered on time and within cost, and that the unit has the tools/equipment to meet operational requirements. 
• Monitoring budgets, controlling operating costs, allocating and transferring funds to ensure the productivity, performance measures and goals are on target and consistent with requirements. 

All Directors are responsible for maintaining their knowledge of relevant Organizational policies and procedures including their application and Director's responsibility in adhering to and enforcing these policies. 

Statement of Required Qualifications

Education 

• Four (4) year University Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, or related discipline. 
• Experience and formal training combined may substitute for stipulated education requirements.

Experience

Minimum ten (10) years progressively more responsible Labour Relations or labour and employment law experience including:

• Eight (8) years labour relations or labour and employment law experience in a senior role with a thorough understanding of grievance and arbitration processes, collective bargaining, and employee relations.
• Experience conducting high-level legal or labour relations analysis (often without precedent) and providing strategic recommendations.
• Experience analyzing complex conflict situations and negotiating settlement of disputes while effectively representing management interests.
• Significant experience managing and motivating the work of others.

Language

• English – fluency in oral, reading, and writing.

Certifications and Licences

• Member of a recognized Professional Association such as the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario (HRPAO) or Law Society of Ontario with associated designation or completion of courses.

In service Training

The following mandatory training and education is provided to all civilian Directors of the OPS:

• Supervisor Health & Safety. 
• Respectful Workplace. 
• Violence in the Workplace.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Road to Mental Health Readiness (R2MR).
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Supervisor course).
• Active Bystander Law Enforcement (ABLE).

Job Knowledge

Advanced detailed knowledge of relevant employment legislation including:

• Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2001
• Ontario Human Rights Code
• Ontario Labour Relations Act, 1995
• Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019

General knowledge of the Organization’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
General knowledge of Benefit and Pensions plans.
Advanced understanding of the theories, principles and techniques of collective agreement administration / interpretation and collective bargaining, negotiating skills, and conflict resolution.
Comprehensive knowledge of current labour relations best practices in the public and private sectors.
Supervisory experience and motivational techniques related to managing in a unionized environment. 
 

OPS Competencies

Hours of Work

Effort and Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a standard office environment with minimal adverse physical working conditions.
• Regular travel between OPS sites is required. 
• The nature of the job often leads to situations involving strong conflicting opinions and intense emotions.
   

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Industrial Relations, Law, Business or Public Administration or related field. 
• Oral, reading, writing fluency in French or other languages.
• Solid understanding of the organization structure, policies, and practices.