Manager of Employee Relations - Academic

Job Details

The Niagara Catholic District School Board is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and experienced Human Resources professional to join our leadership team as Manager of Employee Relations - Academic. This management position provides strategic and operational leadership for employee and labour relations matters across the Academic portfolio, supporting Principals, Vice-Principals, System Leaders, and Academic staff throughout the organization.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources & Communications Officer, the Manager of Employee Relations is responsible for leading the delivery of employee and labour relations services across the Academic portfolio. The position provides expert advice, strategic guidance, and operational support to school administrators and senior leaders on a broad range of complex Human Resources matters.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to Principals and Supervisory Officers by supporting employee performance management, attendance management, workplace investigations, discipline, grievances, collective bargaining, staffing, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. The role also provides leadership and supervision to Human Resources staff and contributes to the development and implementation of Board-wide HR programs, policies, and procedures.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

Employee and Labour Relations

• Provide strategic advice and day-to-day support to Principals and administrators on employee relations matters.
• Lead and oversee progressive performance management processes.
• Provide guidance regarding employee misconduct, corrective action, and disciplinary measures.
• Respond to workplace concerns, complaints, and conflict resolution matters.
• Support attendance management, accommodation, and return-to-work processes.
• Serve as the primary Human Resources resource for Academic employee relations matters.

Workplace Investigations

• Lead and oversee complex workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, harassment, professional boundaries, policy violations, and other employment-related concerns.
• Review investigative findings and recommend appropriate actions in accordance with legislation, collective agreements, Board policies, and principles of procedural fairness.
• Prepare investigation reports, disciplinary correspondence, and executive briefings.

Grievances, Arbitration and Collective Bargaining

• Manage grievances from intake through resolution.
• Represent the Board at grievance meetings, mediations, and arbitrations.
• Develop labour relations strategies and recommendations.
• Participate in collective bargaining as a member of the Board's negotiating team and, where assigned, act as Chief Negotiator for designated bargaining units.
• Interpret and administer collective agreements while fostering positive labour-management relationships.

Staffing and Employment Lifecycle

• Provide leadership and oversight for staffing, recruitment, selection, onboarding, and employment administration activities.
• Ensure employment practices are equitable, compliant, and aligned with Board policies and legislative requirements.
• Support workforce planning and organizational design initiatives.
• Collaborate with school and system leaders on staffing decisions and employment matters.

Leadership and Human Resources Programs

• Supervise and mentor Human Resources staff.
• Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives that promote employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and staff well-being.
• Contribute to Annual Operating Plan priorities, policy development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership as required.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• University degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business Administration, Education, Law, or a related discipline.
• Minimum five to seven years of progressive Human Resources and Labour Relations experience in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing workplace investigations, discipline, grievances, arbitration preparation, and employee relations matters.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Employment Standards Act (ESA)
  • Human Rights Code
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA)
  • Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
  • Collective agreement administration and interpretation.

Preferred

• CHRP or CHRL designation.
• Experience within the education sector or broader public sector environment.
• Experience supporting educational leaders and managing complex organizational change initiatives.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Exceptional leadership, judgement, and decision-making skills.
• Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and relationship-building abilities.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• High levels of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A commitment to service excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Extensive benefits; health, drug, vision, dental, and health care spending account
• Enrolment in an exceptional Pension Plan
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Staff Wellness resources
• Competitive vacation days; plus, additional two-week paid Christmas Break
• Condensed summer working hours
• Flexible work arrangements
• Inclusive, high-performing culture
• Ongoing professional development and career growth opportunities

This is a full-time permanent position.

HOURS: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

LOCATION: Catholic Education Centre, Welland, ON

SALARY RANGE: $117,403.42 - $132,138.56 per annum

Posting Status: Vacancy

We thank all candidates for applying; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Record Check, dated within the past six months of the hire date. This position requires completion of a Police Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check. For more information, please refer to 201.18 Police Record Check & Offence Declaration AOP on the Board's website.

Niagara Catholic is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our students, families, and communities we serve. Guided by our Equity and Inclusive Education Policy, and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, we actively work to identify and remove barriers, address bias, and foster fair, respectful, inclusive, and welcoming employment practices.

We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities, and value the unique contributions each person brings to our Catholic learning environment.

Niagara Catholic is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process, and through all stages of employment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment and selection process are encouraged to notify Human Resources so that appropriate support can be facilitated.

Niagara Catholic does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants.

Board Office