labour relations manager
About the company
One of BC?s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community. As one of British Columbia?s largest and most dynamic municipalities, Coquitlam is home to a diverse and rapidly evolving community of more than 170,000 residents.
Located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, Coquitlam combines established neighbourhoods, emerging urban centres, rapid-transit connectivity and significant new community development with extensive parks, trails and natural areas. The City is experiencing substantial growth and transformation while continuing to focus on thoughtful city building, sustainable service delivery and an exceptional quality of life.
Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre. We envision a bright future in Coquitlam that we hope includes you.
Your tasks
Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, you will lead the City?s labour relations portfolio while helping translate organizational priorities into practical HR strategies, policies and improvements. Working closely with HR colleagues, operational leaders and union representatives, you will provide trusted advice on complex workplace matters and help build the relationships that support effective municipal service delivery.
Alongside this labour relations mandate, you will help advance the City?s recently approved Talent and Retention Strategy. Partnering with managers and HR colleagues, you will turn strategic commitments into practical changes, strengthen policies and practices, and help leaders bring their teams along as the organization evolves.
For an accomplished professional motivated by complex challenges, trusted partnerships and the opportunity to influence how an organization supports its people, this role offers meaningful scope to make a lasting contribution.
- Lead the City?s labour relations portfolio, providing strategic direction and practical advice on collective bargaining, collective agreement interpretation and administration, non-occupational disability management, grievances, dispute resolution and complex employee relations matters.
- Develop bargaining strategies, prepare proposals and supporting analysis, and lead or participate in negotiations involving the City?s CUPE and IAFF bargaining relationships.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with union representatives, addressing emerging concerns early and pursuing resolutions that balance organizational needs, employee interests and long-term working relationships.
- Oversee complex grievances and support mediation and arbitration processes, coordinating with HR colleagues, external counsel and other representatives as appropriate.
- Lead or oversee sensitive workplace investigations, ensuring a thorough, fair and well-documented process and providing clear recommendations on findings and approp
Requirements
The City of Coquitlam is seeking an experienced and relationship-focused leader to join our Human Resources team as Manager, Labour Relations and HR Strategy.
This is an opportunity for a seasoned labour relations professional who understands both the technical discipline and the judgment required to achieve constructive outcomes. You bring depth in collective bargaining, grievances, investigations and collective agreement administration, together with the ability to understand competing interests, navigate sensitive situations and find a workable path forward.
We are looking for someone who earns credibility through sound advice, thoughtful negotiation and consistent follow-through. You can hold a clear position while remaining open to different perspectives, recognize when compromise will achieve a stronger outcome, and understand how today?s decisions can shape workplace relationships for years to come.
Other
City of Coquitlam Manager, Labour Relations and HR Strategy Regular Full-Time (Exempt)