Labour Relations Specialist; TFT FTE

Position Information

Posting Number: ROM
26-052E Title: Labour Relations Specialist (TFT 1.0 FTE)
Position Status: Temporary Full-time Contract End Date: 02/28/2027 FTE: 1.0 Job Schedule: Days Department: Human Resources Union: Non-union Site: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre Number of Vacancies: 1

As one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres, The Royal has a clear purpose: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. This is at the core of everything we do and it is driven by the passion, focus and dedication of our employees. Every day, the work that we do transforms the lives of people with mental illness through specialized mental healthcare, advocacy, research and education.

The Labour Relations Specialist supports a positive and productive labour relations environment by providing expert guidance to leaders and HR partners on a broad range of labour and employee relations matters. Reporting to the Manager, Labour and Employee Relations, this role leads grievance management, supports mediation and bargaining processes, conducts workplace investigations, and builds effective relationships with union representatives. The Specialist ensures proactive, consistent, and strategic labour relations practices that align with organizational priorities and the distinct needs of each bargaining unit.

• Serve as a subject matter expert on collective agreements, grievance management, dispute resolution, mediation, and collective bargaining, ensuring consistent interpretation and application across the organization.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with union representatives and act as a key liaison in labour‑management committees, Occupational Health & Safety committees, job evaluation/pay equity processes, arbitrations, and other joint forums.
• Provide expert guidance and training to leaders on labour relations practices, including discipline, investigations, collective agreement administration, and grievance handling (including Step 2 meetings).
• Manage grievance processes, support workplace investigations (including Harassment‑Free Workplace complaints), and facilitate timely resolution of employee conflicts.
• Conduct research and prepare materials to support collective bargaining and contribute to post‑bargaining implementation and communication.
• Advise leaders on complex labour and employee relations matters, supporting policy development, organizational restructuring, realignment, and compliance with employment and labour law.
• Develop deep knowledge of assigned bargaining units to provide tailored, strategic labour relations support and contribute to organization‑wide LR initiatives.
• Collaborate with HR colleagues and leadership teams to ensure consistent labour relations practices and alignment with corporate HR strategies.
• Support communication and implementation of labour relations initiatives and collective bargaining outcomes across the organization.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance administrative efficiency and ensure accurate, timely documentation of grievances, investigations, and arbitration files.
• Provide labour relations support across all Royal sites—including both main campuses and satellite locations—to ensure consistent, high‑quality service delivery.

• 4-year undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related field
• Minimum three (3) years experience in Labour Relations or Union Management
• Thorough knowledge of hospital policies, rules, regulations and employment related legislation.
• Strong knowledge of workplace diversity, conflict resolution, and investigations under Ontario’s Bill 168.
• Solid understanding of arbitral jurisprudence and interest‑based bargaining principles.
• Strong planning, prioritization, and organizational skills to manage competing demands and meet deadlines effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active listening to support clarity, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to long‑term planning and…