Manager, Labour Relations

BC Transit•Victoria, BC

1d•CA$105,000 - CA$155,300•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is for a Manager, Labour Relations at BC Transit, located in Victoria, BC. The position is full-time regular, with 2 days per week in the office. The role involves leading BC Transit's labour relations function, providing strategic and operational leadership in areas such as collective agreement administration, grievance and dispute resolution, collective bargaining, investigations, and labour relations governance. The successful candidate will act as the lead labour relations subject matter expert, promoting consistent practices, supporting risk management, and fostering constructive relationships with unions and stakeholders. A key focus will be on improving BC Transit's labour relations practice by establishing and enhancing policies, procedures, interpretation guides, training materials, and best practices. The role also involves developing labour relations capability across the organization through coaching, mentorship, and training programs. Collective bargaining is a significant component, including strategy development, proposal development, costing, negotiations, and implementation. The position requires providing expertise on escalated labour relations matters, including grievances, mediations, arbitrations, Labour Relations Board proceedings, WCB appeals, and Human Rights matters. The Manager will also lead, mentor, and support a direct report and contribute to strengthening labour relations capability within the People & Culture team and the broader organization. This is a hands-on role, requiring active support on complex files, participation in bargaining, and direct contribution to labour relations outcomes, rather than solely high-level strategy.

Requirements

Deep labour relations expertise — significant experience interpreting collective agreements, resolving grievances, supporting investigations, advising leaders, and managing complex labour relations issues.
Collective bargaining experience — experience developing bargaining strategies, proposals, costing, implementation plans, and participating in collective bargaining negotiations.
Strategic and practical judgment — the ability to assess risk, evaluate options, and develop practical solutions to complex workplace issues.
Investigation and dispute resolution skills — experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations and resolving labour relations disputes.
Leadership and coaching capability — experience mentoring, developing, and supporting employees and leaders while fostering accountability and engagement.
Relationship management skills — proven ability to build productive working relationships with unions, leaders, employees, legal counsel, and other stakeholders.
Strong communication and negotiation skills — able to communicate effectively, influence outcomes, and navigate difficult conversations with professionalism and credibility.
Labour relations governance mindset — experience developing policies, procedures, training programs, best practices, and consistent organizational approaches.
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business, or a related field, along with at least five years of progressive labour relations experience, preferably within a unionized environment. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Strong knowledge of labour legislation, labour relations best practices, and collective agreement administration is required.

Responsibilities

Lead BC Transit's labour relations function and provide both strategic and operational leadership in the administration of collective agreements, grievance and dispute resolution, collective bargaining, investigations, and labour relations governance.
Execute BC Transit’s labour relations strategy by promoting consistent labour relations practices, supporting organizational risk management, and fostering constructive relationships with union representatives and key stakeholders.
Own and continuously improve BC Transit’s labour relations practice by establishing, maintaining, and enhancing labour relations policies, procedures, interpretation guides, training materials, and best practices.
Identify emerging trends, legislative developments, arbitration decisions, and labour relations risks, and translate those insights into practical recommendations and improvements to labour relations practices.
Design, facilitate, and continuously improve labour relations training programs for leaders, People & Culture team members, and other stakeholders.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and guidance that strengthens confidence, competence, and consistency in the management of labour relations matters across the organization.
Support bargaining strategy development, proposal development, costing, negotiations, implementation planning, and may act as bargaining committee chair or labour relations lead during negotiations.
Support the implementation of ratified agreements and help ensure successful labour relations outcomes.
Provide expertise and support on escalated labour relations matters, including grievances, mediations, arbitrations, Labour Relations Board proceedings, Workers' Compensation Board appeals, and Human Rights matters.
Provide strategic advice and recommendations regarding dispute resolution, settlements, labour relations trends, organizational risk, and proactive risk mitigation.
Lead, mentor, and support a direct report while helping strengthen labour relations capability throughout the People & Culture team and broader organization.