Description

The Calgary Board of Education is at an inflection point in the maturity of its people strategy. Under the leadership of the HR Superintendent, the CBE is investing in a strategic Labour and Employee Relations function that moves away from reactive collective agreement administration and issue management toward a proactive, organizationally integrated capability with a strategic focus. This is a meaningful evolution: recognizing that in a complex, multi-union environment serving over 142,000 students, the quality of labour-management relationships is a strategic imperative. 

The incoming Manager, Labour Relations will be a hands-on builder, someone with both the technical depth and the leadership presence to establish this function with credibility, structure, and long-term impact.

This leader will be tasked with building a Labour and Employee Relations strategy and function that serves as the organization in identifying emerging workforce tensions before they become formal disputes, and continuing established trust-based relationships with union partners that create room for collaborative problem-solving, balanced with the School Board’s right and interests. The Labour and Employee Relations team will equip frontline and senior leaders with the knowledge and confidence to manage within collective agreement frameworks consistently and fairly, reducing organizational risk. 

During bargaining, the Manager, Labour Relations will bring rigour and foresight to the bargaining table, grounding the CBE's negotiating positions in labour market data, financial sustainability, and a deep understanding of the interests of all parties. Well in advance of negotiations, this role will develop a proactive labour relations strategy and bargaining approach that ensures the organization enters bargaining with clear priorities and a thoughtful plan aligned to organizational goals and relationship considerations. 

This role provides strategic direction to the Human Resources service unit and the Calgary Board of Education’s (CBE) leaders, ensuring high-quality, consistent, and timely delivery of ER and LR services across the CBE. Working in direct partnership with the Manager, of HR Advisory Services, this role is accountable for the development and ongoing implementation of the CBE’s labour and employee relations strategy, providing system-wide leadership and the organization’s response to complex labour and employee relations matters. 

This role manages and oversees complex investigations, grievances, and arbitrations, ensuring compliance with legislation, collective agreements, and organizational policies. As the escalation point for high-risk cases, the strengthens HR’s capacity to address employee and labour relations issues consistently, fairly, and in a timely manner, while fostering respectful workplace practices and maintaining constructive relationships with unions and association partners. This role will also manage a small team of LR professionals.

Leaders is committed to supporting diverse working environments. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities and other members of marginalized communities to apply for our roles. Email a cover letter and tailored resume (one document) to apply@leadersinternational.com, attention Shalini Bhatty or Chelsey Howarth, and indicate the job title in the subject line.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree or law degree preferred. Certification as a Human Resources Professional (CPHR) preferred.  
• Minimum 10 years of progressive HR experience, with significant focus on employee and labour relations in a public sector, multi-union environment.      Minimum 3 years leadership experience, including supervision, coaching, and development of HR or LR professionals.
• A combination of related education and relevant experience may also be considered.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex workplace investigations.
• Proven track record managing grievances, arbitrations, and collective agreement interpretation.
• Strong knowledge of labour and employment law.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Self-starter with ability to build the function from the ground up. 
• Sound judgment and analytical decision-making.
• Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Ability to coach and influence senior leaders with confidence and credibility.
• Proven ability to develop staff and build team capability.
• High integrity, professionalism, and discretion.