Manager, Labour Relations

The Organization:

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) is a progressive union representing approximately 30,000 paramedical, professional, and technical members. Our staff are committed to delivering high-quality services to our members. HSAA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The Position:

Are you an experienced labour relations leader who thrives in a complex, unionized healthcare environment? Do you bring strong operational judgment, strategic thinking, and a passion for fair and consistent member representation?

HSAA is seeking two Managers, Labour Relations to provide leadership, operational oversight, and strategic guidance across grievance handling, dispute resolution, and workplace representation programs. This key management role is responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality labour relations services that support organizational priorities and ensure excellent member outcomes.

Reporting to the Director, Labour Relations, the Manager is accountable for operational planning and day-to-day delivery of labour relations services within a healthcare environment. The role ensures consistent collective agreement interpretation, effective grievance management, and sound workplace representation structures.

As Manager, you will lead a team of labour relations professionals, strengthen service delivery standards, and implement practical, solutions-focused strategies to proactively manage workplace issues.

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Lead and oversee day-to-day labour relations operations, including grievance management, dispute resolution, and contract administration.
• Provide strategic guidance on collective agreement interpretation and ensure consistent, compliant application of labour relations practices.
• Supervise, mentor, and support labour relations staff, ensuring high-quality case management, workload coordination, and service delivery standards.
• Oversee grievance progression, mediation, arbitration preparation, and settlement strategies to mitigate organizational risk.
• Provide strategic oversight for workplace representation and steward programs, ensuring effectiveness, consistency, and operational alignment.
• Monitor trends, outcomes, and financial impacts related to grievances and disputes, and provide analytical reporting to senior leadership.
• Contribute to labour relations policy development and ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory, and sector requirements.

What You Bring:

You are a confident and effective manager, able to provide expert guidance to staff navigating complex labour relations issues. You are an authentic and supportive leader committed to coaching, developing, and challenging your team while advancing organizational priorities. You have a strong understanding of trade union philosophy and public healthcare, and you approach strategic goals with enthusiasm, tact, and operational focus.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills:

• University degree or diploma in a related discipline, with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressive labour relations experience in a unionized environment, including three (3) to five (5) years of direct leadership experience managing a team. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Comprehensive understanding of labour relations principles, collective bargaining, grievance and arbitration processes, and Labour Relations Board procedures.
• Strong knowledge of employment and labour legislation, human rights law, and other legal frameworks affecting unionized workplaces.
• Familiarity with healthcare or public sector labour relations environments, operational challenges, and emerging policy trends is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in team management, performance monitoring, and leadership practices within complex organizational settings.
• Experience using data management and reporting systems (e.g., Unionware) to support metrics-driven decision-making in labour relations.
• Strong strategic thinking, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to manage complex, high-stakes, or politically sensitive situations.

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 understanding 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 recruitment@hsaa.ca.

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.