Sr. HR Business Partner at Seaspan ULC

Job Description

Our team is growing and Seaspan is looking for HR Business Partners to support our Operations Team.

The Senior Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) serves as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to operational leaders within a complex, unionized manufacturing environment. This role provides forward-looking human capital guidance that aligns HR strategies with business objectives, fostering a high-performance and collaborative workplace culture.

The Senior HRBP collaborates closely with the HR Centres of Excellence to deliver integrated enterprise-wide HR solutions in areas such as Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Organizational Development, and HR Systems. The role acts as the key HR liaison for their assigned portfolio, ensuring alignment between workforce capabilities, operational needs, and organizational strategy.

The Senior HRBP builds trusted relationships with leaders, employees, and union representatives, promoting a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

Note: Due to business needs, this position is required to be fully on-site at 50 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver. After 90 days of onsite work and onboarding, this position will allow to work from home 1 day per week.

What You'll Do

• Partner with Trade Superintendents to translate organizational strategy into actionable people plans that support productivity, innovation, and engagement across the operation.
• In collaboration with leaders and union representatives to cultivate constructive labour relations, leveraging interest-based problem-solving and proactive communication to resolve issues before escalation.
• Guide leaders through performance management, coaching, and development planning, reinforcing accountability and alignment with organizational values.
• Lead and support workplace investigations, disciplinary processes, and dispute resolution.
• In conjunction with Employee Relations colleagues, provide guidance on employment legislation, collective agreement & policy interpretation, and HR governance to mitigate risk and ensure consistent application across the business.
• Act as the strategic partner between operations and HR COEs, ensuring seamless delivery of services in talent acquisition, compensation, learning and development, wellness, and HR systems.
• Lead the administration and oversight of attendance and absence management programs ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance with collective agreements and applicable legislation. Analyze attendance data and trends to identify root causes, develop action plans, and support continuous improvement in attendance outcomes.
• Address attendance issues proactively through coaching, progressive discipline, and interest-based problem-solving in partnership with supervisors and union representatives.
• Collaborate with Wellness and Disability Management teams to support safe and timely return-to-work programs and workplace accommodations.
• Support organizational transformation initiatives by embedding effective change management practices and ensuring people impacts are anticipated and addressed.
  
  
  

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in a professional HR role, with at least 5 years in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in conflict resolution, workplace investigations and progressive discipline/performance management.
• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner or Senior HR Generalist supporting operational teams in a unionized setting. Prior experience in a construction, supply chain, logistics, or large-scale manufacturing environment is preferred
• CPHR designation or equivalent considered an asset.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Strong decision-making capabilities that align HR strategies with broader business objectives.
• In-depth knowledge of provincial employment legislation, including the BC Human Rights Code, Workers Compensation Act and Employment Standards Act.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Solid understanding of HR best practices in compensation, performance management, succession planning, training, and recruitment.
• Advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and generate actionable insights.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and confidentiality.
• Collaborative team player with sound judgment, composure under pressure, and keen attention to detail.
• Expertise in attendance management practices, including data analysis, intervention planning, and stakeholder engagement.
  
  
  

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 a best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including such things as full health care (e.g. unlimited physiotherapy), dental, vision, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, wellness/fitness reimbursement for memberships or registration fees, and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• This position qualifies for an optional hybrid work schedule.
• 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 $112,500 - $137,500. 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 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. If you require any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected] for confidential support. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment.