Director, Negotiations at Health Sciences Association of Alberta

The Position:

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) is seeking a strategic, principled, and experienced Director, Negotiations to lead collective bargaining and labour relations initiatives across multiple bargaining tables. This senior leadership role will report to the Executive Director and is responsible for the planning and executing bargaining activities, including mandate development, proposal coordination, and the implementation of agreements while ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and member-focused outcomes.

Key responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Strategic Negotiations & Labour Relations:

• Provide executive oversight for all phases of collective bargaining, ensuring alignment across agreements, adherence to mandates, and consistency in proposals, costing, and settlement recommendations.
• Offer expert guidance on the interpretation and application of collective agreements to support defensible, member-focused outcomes.

Bargaining Preparation, Research, and Policy Development:

• Oversee the development of bargaining proposals and supporting research to ensure strategies are evidence-based, strategically aligned, and reflective of member priorities.
• Monitor sector trends, legislative developments, and emerging labour market issues to anticipate challenges and adjust strategies proactively.

Labour Action & Strategic Mobilization:

• Lead strategic planning for strike readiness and job actions, ensuring members, staff, and bargaining teams are fully prepared for all phases of potential labour disruption.
• Direct the development, negotiation, and management of Essential Services Agreements (ESAs).
• Provide strategic direction for member mobilization and organizing initiatives, using data-driven insights to maximize participation, cohesion, and bargaining effectiveness.

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Coordination:

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with employer representatives, internal departments, and union affiliates to support cohesive, member-focused bargaining strategies.
• Provide senior leadership with timely reporting on bargaining progress, risks, and emerging issues to inform organizational decision-making.

The position also provides guidance and mentorship to a multidisciplinary team of negotiators and functional specialists, fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment. This role will also oversee resource allocation, workload management, and professional development to ensure operational and strategic objectives are achieved.

What You Bring:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and convey complex ideas in high-pressure environments. They possess strong conflict resolution capabilities and sound judgment, enabling them to build and maintain productive relationships. This role requires expertise in managing multiple bargaining tables, prioritizing competing demands, and translating strategic goals into actionable plans. Proficiency in resource allocation, budget management, and evidence-based decision-making is essential.

The successful candidate will also have a:

• University degree or diploma in Labour Relations, Human Resources, Employment or Labour Law, Health Care or Health Economics, or a related discipline, combined with a minimum of ten (10) years of progressive labour relations experience in a unionized environment and at least five (5) years of leadership or team-management experience; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Familiarity with sector-specific issues, operational challenges, strategic human health resource planning, labour market dynamics, and emerging policy trends is considered an asset.
• Advance training and certifications in Collective Bargaining/Negotiations will be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in labour relations strategy, collective bargaining, and the full spectrum of grievance and arbitration processes within complex unionized environments.
• Strong knowledge of employment and labour legislation, human rights law, and related legal frameworks, preferably within public sector or highly regulated industries.
• Added focus on healthcare background would be considered an asset.

Your Core Competencies:

• Creative Problem Solving. You assess problems in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Drive for Results. You maximize resources to achieve organization goals while maintaining accountability to each other and stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking: You understand broad perspectives, set goals to meet long-term outcomes, and help others to see their role in achieving results.
• Develop Self and Others: You are committed to learning and understand the strategic importance of ongoing team development.
• Agility. You anticipate and adapt to changing priorities and environments. You are resilient in times of uncertainty.
• Develop Networks. You build connections and trust in relationships.
• Build Collaboration. You lead and contribute to conditions that support teamwork, collaboration, consistency, and excellence.

What We Offer:

Competitive Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Top Benefits: 100% employer paid benefits, flex spending account, and pension plan

Hours of Work: 35-hour work week

Learning & Development: Internal and external training support

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter by e-mail to Human Resources at [email protected]. A cover letter is required, as written communication skills, accuracy and attention to detail are essential to this position. In your cover letter, please tell us how your skills and experience align with this position. Your cover letter will be reviewed as part of the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

Applications may be used to fill other current and future opportunities.