Director, Labour and Employment

Canadian National Railway Company•Edmonton, AB

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Labour and Employment is responsible for advising on Labour Relations (LR) and Human Resources (HR) legal issues in Canada and the United States (U.S.). This includes collective bargaining, grievances and arbitration, human rights, occupational health and safety, workers' compensation, accommodation, privacy, performance management, terminations, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and litigation. The position leads the Counsel, Labour and Employment (Canada), the Counsel, Labor and Employment (U.S), the Counsel, Privacy (U.S. and Canada) and the Workers Compensation Group (Canada). Furthermore, the position works closely with HR and LR teams, as well as other internal stakeholders to support CN's strategic objectives.

Requirements

Minimum 8 years of labour and employment law experience, either in-house or as external counsel
Experience providing general labour and employment law advice including advice related to the Canada Labour Code and applicable statutes in the U.S.
Experience advising on internal complaints and to third party agencies
Experience advising a federally regulated entity with a large, unionized population
Experience working in the transportation, trucking, or railroad industry
Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD)
Member of good standing of a provincial Law Society
Knowledge of Microsoft Office
Awareness of evolving applicable laws
Familiarity with legal research tools, including Bloomberg, Lexis, or Westlaw
Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French)
Knowledge of CN Operations

Nice To Haves

Any experience for these above would be considered as an asset
Any skills/attributes for these above would be considered as an asset
Any knowledge for these above would be considered as an asset

Responsibilities

Ensure internal clients receive timely and strategic advice on labour or employment-related legal matters under Canadian and the U.S. employment and labour legislation
Develop and implement strategies to minimize legal risks and ensure compliance with labour and employment laws and regulations
Oversee representation of labour and employment matters before various courts, tribunals, and arbitrators, as well as in mediations and negotiations
Research and monitor developments in labour and employment law and best practices as well as provide training and updates to internal clients and colleagues
Review and draft policies, procedures, and agreements related to labour and employment matters
Manage external counsel and legal fees in accordance with CN's policies and budget
Collaborate with other members of the Legal department and external stakeholders on cross-functional projects and initiatives
Delegate and oversee the work of the Labour, Employment and Privacy Counsel teams in the U.S. and Canada
Develop a team, including identifying and addressing skill gaps, providing mentorship and coaching, and creating opportunities for professional development
Lead the Workers’ Compensation team in Canada
Develop a team, including identifying and addressing skill gaps, providing mentorship and coaching, and creating opportunities for professional development