Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is Canada’s only polytechnic university, proudly serving the South Fraser region for more than 40 years. With campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale, KPU is deeply connected to the communities it serves and to the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences of its students. Through academic excellence, applied learning, innovation, and strong industry and community partnerships, KPU prepares students for meaningful futures.

As an open-access university, KPU is powered by the people who live and work here. We believe every employee plays a meaningful role in supporting student learning and success. We are honoured to carry the name of the Kwantlen First Nation and are committed to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and respectful relationships. As one of BC’s Top Employers, KPU is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaged workplace where employees feel valued, connected to purpose, and empowered to make an impact.

We invite you to explore your next career opportunity at KPU and discover how your work can contribute to a university where thought truly meets action.

Competition ID:

4618

Internal Closing Date:

Open Until Filled

External Closing Date:

Open Until Filled

# of Openings:

1

• Salary Information:

9 – Administrative Salary Grid - $79,731 to $116,939

Employment Type:

Temporary Full Time

Workplace Type:

Hybrid

Travel Frequency:

Occasional travel between campuses is required.

Employee Group:

Administration/Management

Days of Work (BCGEU):

Hours of Work (BCGEU):

Hours per Week (BCGEU):

We are currently seeking a Senior Manager, Labour Relations to join our Human Resources team.

Job Overview

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Labour Relations.

The Labour Relations (LR) Specialist is responsible for supporting the organization’s Labour Relations activities which include the administration of grievances, discipline, and the collective bargaining process under the direction of the Senior Manager, Labour Relations. This role advances LR practices and initiatives through developing strong partnerships with business leaders and Union executives. The LR Specialist supports business processes related to HR, and acts on various project teams as the LR subject matter expert.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Human Resources Management or related field.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in labour relations, grievance management, participating in negotiations/collective bargaining and administering collective agreements in a multi-union environment.
• Certified Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) is preferred.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of employment and labour legislation and government policies, including Employment Standards, Labour Relations Code, Employment Equity and Human Rights Code.
• Demonstrated strong ability to conduct and analyze case law research.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive situations that call for the use of diplomacy, tact, and professionalism in the delivery of information and explanations.
• A team player who is experienced working with cross functional teams and senior business leaders involved with a variety of HR initiatives.
• Ability to bridge relationships in a unionized environment with a collaborative approach.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to present information clearly, concisely, and to be persuasive.
• Proven ability to juggle and prioritize tasks and excellent problem-solving skills, work to deadlines and demands, make responsible decisions, and determine when to seek advice.
• Advanced organizational and prioritization skills and ability to quickly change approaches.
• Demonstrated change management skills which include supporting and encouraging new ideas and approaches to build organizational efficiency.
• Demonstrated business acumen considering the business impact in decision making while maintaining a people first perspective.
• Ability to think innovatively and creatively in planning and developing a fresh approach to existing activities, with a process improvement perspective.
• High customer service orientation, with the ability to create a positive and meaningful customer experience.
• Ability to travel between campuses is required.

Competencies

• People First: KPU employees involve, appreciate, value and respect the KPU community members they serve (i.e., students, employees, external key parties, etc.) creating a culture of high engagement and performance.
• Accountability: KPU employees demonstrate fiscal accountability and take ownership for their actions, decisions and results.
• Continuous Improvement: KPU employees take a creative approach to opportunities, exploring unique ways to create optimal value for the KPU community.
• Collaboration: KPU employees work in functional and cross-functional teams, coming together to solve complex issues and accomplish objectives that will benefit the KPU community.

Want to know more?

• Salary Information

The compensation range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary (as listed above) for a position. Approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and approximately halfway of the salary range for a job. Annual salary increases are available through participation in the Administrative Performance Management program

Total Rewards

As a part of our total rewards offerings, KPU also offers extended health and dental benefits, healthcare spending account, generous vacation package, defined pension plan, parenthood top-up, sick leave, long-term disability, life insurance, professional development days, tuition waiver, inhouse training & development, inter-campus transportation, and more!

Note: Eligibility requirements apply, benefits may vary depending on the employee group the position belongs to and whether the position offered is temporary or part-time.

Visit https://www.kpu.ca/hr for more information on KPU’s workplace, culture and total rewards.

Note to Applicants

Kwantlen Polytechnic University welcomes and encourages applications from equity deserving groups and diverse experiences including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.

If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please reach out to us at talentacquisition@kpu.ca.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.

We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.