Manager, Employee Relations

Job Description

The Manager, Employee Relations plays a pivotal role in shaping and implementing Seaspan’s labour and employee relations strategies within the Marine Transportation division. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Employee Relations this role is responsible for driving effective grievance resolution, ensuring compliance with collective agreements, and supporting the collective bargaining process. The Manager works closely with senior leaders, union representatives, and other key stakeholders to address labour relations matters and foster productive relationships across all levels of the organization. This role will contribute significantly to maintaining a collaborative and legally compliant labour relations environment while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Note: This position qualifies for an optional hybrid work schedule after 90 days of onsite work and onboarding. Employee will be subject to the terms of the Flexible Work Policy Agreement.

What You’ll Do

• Takes a lead role in formulating the company's stance on complex labour relations issues and collective bargaining matters, working closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment with corporate strategies.
• Manages and oversees the grievance resolution process, including timely and accurate documentation, ensuring compliance with collective agreements and legal standards.
• Leads discussions with union representatives to resolve grievances and provide guidance to management teams on contract interpretation, disciplinary actions, attendance management, and performance management.
• Acts as a key point of contact for labour relations matters within the Marine Transportation division, offering expert advice on the implementation of labour and employee relations strategies.
• Supports the collective bargaining process by coordinating research, developing bargaining strategies, and assisting in preparing proposals.
• Represents the company in bargaining sessions, mediations, grievances, and arbitrations, effectively advocating for the company's interests.
• Partners with legal counsel to address complex employee issues, including grievances, arbitrations, and disputes, ensuring the company’s positions are well-supported.
• Continuously monitors developments in federal and provincial labour laws, employment standards, and arbitral jurisprudence, advising senior management on the impact of these changes.
• Develops and implements training and communication strategies to support the company’s approach to labour relations, including creating tools and procedures that enhance managers' capabilities in handling labour relations challenges.
• Cultivates strong working relationships with union officials and business agents, working proactively to address potential issues and contributing to a collaborative, solution-oriented environment.
• Promotes continuous improvement within the employee relations function by identifying opportunities for process enhancements and automation, ensuring more efficient and effective operations.
• Supports senior leaders by ensuring accessibility of key labour relations information, contributing to better decision-making and fostering a fair and consistent application of policies.
  
  
  

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Business, Human Resources, Labour Relations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-7 years of progressively senior experience in labour relations, with a strong background in a complex, unionized, and multi-jurisdictional organization.
• Significant experience in contract development, collective bargaining, arbitration, mediation, and managing complex labour relations issues.
• Proven experience as a spokesperson during collective bargaining negotiations.
• Deep understanding of federal and provincial labour legislation, employment standards, and arbitral jurisprudence.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships with senior leaders, union officials, and employees at all levels of the organization.
• A strategic, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to navigate complex labour relations challenges and drive organizational success.
  
  
  

Why you’ll love working here

• This is a full-time, permanent position. With multiple operations and long-term projects, Seaspan employees enjoy job stability as we look ahead to build ships for decades to come.
• In addition to an annual bonus and pension plan matching, this role provides you a very competitive salary in line with the successful candidate’s experience.
• We also provide the best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including things such as extended health care (i.e. paramedical services for massage therapy, speech therapy, mental health coverage, physiotherapy, and more), dental care, vision care, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, childcare benefit partnership, $500 personal spending account, and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• This position qualifies for an optional hybrid work schedule.
• Free on-site gym.
• Parking is included and to assist those that are using transit, we operate a complimentary shuttle bus Monday through Friday with various pick up and drop off points around North Vancouver.
  
  
  

The estimated salary for this position is $122,700 - $147,200. In determining final salary, Seaspan considers many factors including the successful Candidate’s skillset and experience as well as position location and internal equity. The final base salary offer will be at the Company’s sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.

About Us

Seaspan Marine Transportation: With more than 130 years of experience navigating in some of the world’s most complex and difficult waters, Seaspan Marine is the largest and most diverse tug & barge company on Canada’s West Coast.

Seaspan Shipyards: Seaspan Shipyards is one of North America’s most modern shipyards and unique in its ability to provide a complete range of services including new construction, conversion, refit, repair and life-cycle maintenance work for Canada’s Coast Guard and Navy as well as commercial vessels including cruise-ships and deep-sea vessels. Seaspan Shipyards operations include Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards.

To learn more, visit our website: www.seaspan.com

This position may involve defense articles and/or technical data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. In compliance with ITAR, the successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance through the Canadian Controlled Goods Program as regulated by the Controlled Goods Regulations and Defense Production Act. The successful candidate will be required to maintain their security clearance throughout their employment in this position.

Seaspan is committed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including, women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities. Furthermore, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will work with you to support your request.