Director, Business Partnerships, Employee and Labour Relations

ABOUT US:

Almost 1.2 million residents call York Region home, making it one of the largest regions in Canada – and the fastest growing with a population that’s expected to grow to more than 2 million by 2041. Our geography, which is comprised of about 1,800 square kilometers over nine different municipalities, is as beautiful, interesting and diverse as our people. Local government is organized in a two-tier structure and we work together with our local municipalities to provide residents and businesses access to a broad selection of services and resources.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Consistently named one of Canada’s Best Employers by Forbes, we offer a collaborative, progressive workplace that takes pride in our organizational culture and is committed to living The 13+ Factors of Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace – aligned with our vision to create strong, caring and safe communities both within and outside our walls.

Defined Benefit Pension Program - With the Ontario Municipality Employees Retirement System (OMERS) defined benefit pension plan, you can confidently retire knowing that you will have income for life. Eligibility from date of hire as a full-time employee and includes employer-matched contributions.

Employer of Choice - Recognized as the highest-ranking government employer in Canada and fourth overall among 300 organizations.

Benefits and Wellness - Employees and their loved ones have access to a comprehensive employer-paid benefits plan that includes extended health, dental and life insurance, access to a 24/7 Employee and Family Assistance Program and corporate discounts and purchase plans for day-to-day products and services.

Inclusive and Diverse Workforce - We’re committed to fostering an environment that celebrates all dimensions of diversity and ensures everyone can develop to their full potential, participate freely in society and live with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. Our robust Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility program continues to grow, and has been recognized by the United Nations and many other organizations for our leadership.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This position sets the strategic direction and leads the implementation of business partnership and labour relations programs, aligning the People, Equity and Culture (PEC) strategy with business strategies to mitigate risks and protect reputations within the Region. It involves understanding unique business needs, translating them into PEC strategies, and providing expert guidance on various topics. The position serves as a confidential resource for leaders, offering solutions and navigating complex situations to enhance regional function and efficacy. Additionally, it provides strategic thought leadership on York Region’s people and labour practices, including leading collective bargaining, and fostering positive labour relations, to support a work environment that attracts, engages, aligns, and retains high-performing talent to deliver excellence for residents.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• Partners with business leaders to drive desired culture, engagement, organizational design, talent management and development in support of organizational effectiveness.

• Develops strategies to support business workforce requirements to meet the Region’s organizational goals based on key people trends and organizational strengths and constraints; develops and recommends people solutions.

• Leads the development of a Labour Relations strategy ensuring effective and collaborative support to the business and supporting a positive labour relations environment.

• Provides strategic direction to bargaining teams when preparing for and negotiating collective agreements.

• Provides change management support to client groups for successful organizational change implementation, and leads the development and implementation of innovative concepts, new ideas and strong culture.

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key business leaders to deeply understand business requirements to meet organization, talent and people needs in a proactive manner.

• Collaborates with other PEC areas to enhance and continuously improve the support provided to the business on the development and delivery of PEC programs; provides input and guidance to program development and policy development.

• Plans and analyzes talent using data and analytics to develop insights and recommends organizational solutions to the business, supports leaders in achieving high performing teams by coaching leaders and managers on performance management and supporting leaders in achieving a coaching culture.

• Researches, prepares, and presents reports for Senior Management, and for Council and Committees as required. Responds to inquiries from SMT members.

• Develops and monitors annual capital and/or operating budgets for the Division.

• Builds strategic capability of the team in addition to developing their core PEC knowledge and skills.

• Works with management staff to develop relevant performance metrics and manages performance to meet or exceed targets.

• Coordinates business planning functions with other Divisions to develop business improvements and best practices for the Department.

• Manages staff, including recruitment, selection, hiring, assigning work, determining training and development needs, coaching, and mentoring, conducting performance appraisals and determining/recommending disciplinary action up to and including dismissal in accordance with collective agreements, Regional policies and practices.

• Provides broad leadership to management staff, who are accountable for implementing the plans, through a process of planning and developing long-range objectives.

• Promotes the code of conduct, Regional values and PEC policies with all staff in the Division.

• Develops, implements customer service strategies, and evaluates against benchmarks for best practices to ensure quality of service to customers.

• Provides effective relationship management with all external partners, Regional and local municipal politicians/staff, government and non-governmental agencies, and the communities served.

• Represents the Division on negotiations with consultants, contractors, external agencies/groups, local municipalities, etc., as required/assigned.

• Chairs and/or participates on committees, task forces, work groups and special projects; represents the Region on external committees, meetings, as required.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Successful completion of a University Degree in Industrial Relations/Human Resources or related field/discipline or approved equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum ten (10) years of successful leadership and progressive managerial experience leading people leaders in a multi-disciplinary environment; preferably in a multi-union workplace.

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in collective bargaining including the role of chief negotiator on behalf of the employer.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the relevant legislation and regulations with the ability to communicate the legislative significance and relevance to the work practices.

• Knowledge of collective agreement administration and interpretation, labour relations principles and practices and relevant employment legislation.

• Ability to think strategically with strong ability to understand organizational implications by understanding the big picture and aligning initiatives with strategic priorities.

• Strong complex problem-solving capability while effectively managing risk with data driven decision making to generate insights, alternative and opportunities for success.

• Ability to mediate complex problems or issues with significant consequences.

• Ability to demonstrate the Region’s corporate core and leadership competencies.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and time constraints to meet organizational needs.

• Strong communication, influencing and presentation skills with a strong customer focus.

• Ability to think and act strategically and demonstrate a consultative approach to partner with business leaders.

• Ability to build and maintain positive and influential relationships with senior leaders, peers and colleagues.

• Informed and active leadership to confront bias and systemic barriers and comply with or build inclusive practices in business processes, recruitment practices, team management, etc. to ensure inclusive and equitable workplace.