Partner, HR Services

Langara College • Redmond, WA

2d • CA$45 - CA$66 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Partner, HR Services reports to the Managing Partner, HR Services and provides leadership, advice, and guidance across a full range of HR services to management and employees in an assigned portfolio of departments and program areas. As the primary HR contact for that portfolio, the Partner advises on employee and labour relations, performance management, recruitment and selection, disability management, classification and compensation, and organizational development. The role works closely with the HR team to deliver coordinated advisory services and ensure consistent application of legislation, collective agreements, employment terms, College policies, and procedures.

As a strategic partner, the position contributes to College priorities by fostering collaborative and proactive employee and labour relations, supporting change management, and implementing processes that help client groups achieve their goals. The Partner also participates in leadership teams, special assignments, projects, and initiatives.

The role provides strategic and operational HR consultation, manages or supports employee-relations matters and grievances, advises on performance management, recruitment, attendance and disability management, and organizational design and job evaluation. It also manages or contributes to HR projects and initiatives, including research, policy and process improvements, reporting, and committee work. The position may perform other related duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in human resources management, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least five years of progressively responsible HR generalist experience, with emphasis on labour and employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, recruitment, disability management, job evaluation, and benefits administration.
• Considerable experience advising leaders and working with collective agreements in a large, complex, multi-union organization.
• Excellent knowledge of employment and labour legislation and government policies, including Employment Standards, the Labour Relations Code, Employment Equity, and the Human Rights Code.
• Intermediate to advanced working proficiency with MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Experience working in a highly automated HR environment with an integrated enterprise HR and payroll information system such as Workday, Banner, or PeopleSoft.
• Demonstrated consultation, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and communicate tactfully and diplomatically with employees at all levels; understand the balance between confidentiality, disclosure, effective communication, and collective agreement requirements.
• Strong communication, interviewing, active listening, negotiation, and influencing skills within a collaborative framework.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and judgment.
• Ability to work effectively and productively with considerable independence and contribute as a team member.
• Strong presentation skills for training sessions and informational seminars.
• High energy and goal orientation, with the ability to achieve outcomes through consultative and collaborative methods.
• Customer-service focus and demonstrated ability to achieve continuous improvement.
• Ability to mentor and engage others to support workplace success.
• Commitment to continuous learning and curiosity about new ideas and innovation.

Nice To Haves

• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation or another relevant professional designation in human resources is a desirable asset.
• Preference for HR experience in the public sector or a large, complex, multi-union organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational HR leadership and consultation to operational leaders on people management and organizational culture.
• Advise leaders on complex or sensitive HR matters, applying relevant policies, collective agreements, employment terms, labour laws, and regulations.
• Coordinate HR advisory services with internal specialists and support organizational development, restructuring, strategic planning, organizational design, succession planning, needs assessment, and team building.
• Coach and educate leaders on people and talent management, organizational culture, and effectiveness.
• Identify people-management and workplace risks and collaborate with leaders on preventative measures and solutions.
• Recommend, create, or implement changes to HR procedures, guidelines, and protocols; support change management in consultation with unions, associations, and staff.
• Guide HR Associates in HR practices and in interpreting collective agreements, employment terms, legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Conduct or participate in investigations, mediations, and facilitated conversations concerning workplace respect, human rights, misconduct, conflict, and complaints.
• Advise managers and liaise with union representatives on employee-relations matters, including attendance management, discipline, return-to-work agreements, terminations, disputes, and grievances.
• Interpret collective agreements, legislation, College policies, procedures, benefits, and entitlements, and liaise with internal and external parties to resolve questions and issues.
• Manage grievances up to Step 2 (LFA) and Step 3 (CUPE), draft written responses, prepare files for senior HR review, and provide information for arbitration cases.
• Contribute research and input to collective bargaining proposals and potentially participate in bargaining as a committee member.
• Represent management in negotiations and facilitate consensus and resolution of HR issues.
• Advise and support leaders with probationary and trial-period performance evaluations and strategies for addressing employee conduct or performance concerns.
• Coordinate the faculty contract review process, monitor faculty eligibility, assist participating parties, and review related correspondence for Deans’ signature.
• Provide employees with information about performance, career development, and College employment opportunities; identify and recommend relevant training and development.
• Manage or contribute to HR projects, initiatives, or policies aligned with departmental needs and the strategic plan, including work related to recruitment, labour relations, compensation and benefits, training, health and wellness, engagement, and HR systems.
• Create and maintain project procedures and documentation; research and analyze potential policy or procedure changes; collaborate with external consultants as needed.
• Gather input, conduct research and surveys, compile data, generate reports, and participate on College committees.
• Recommend best practices and process efficiencies by reviewing HR methods, procedures, and forms and keeping systems current and efficient.
• Collaborate with the Recruitment team on full-cycle recruitment for vacancies in the assigned client group.
• Recommend recruitment strategies and advertising approaches; advise selection committees on job analysis, selection methods, and assessment tools; participate on committees and ensure compliance.
• Authorize, where delegated, or recommend initial salary placements within established guidelines.
• Monitor employee illness absences and sick-leave credits and help initiate timely applications for short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Help develop graduated or modified return-to-work plans with employees, managers, health services physicians, union representatives, and benefit carriers.
• Discuss workplace assessments and accommodations; advise leaders on absence, disability, and attendance management; attend meetings and prepare reports and documentation.
• Support unit development and departmental reorganization; collaborate with the Classification and Compensation Consultant on position creation and reclassification.
• Conduct position reviews and job audits and draft position descriptions as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Extensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions.
• Generous vacation package and paid time off during the College’s one-week winter closure in December.
• Employer-paid defined benefit pension plan.
• Potential eligibility for educational, training, and developmental programs.
• Access to on-site daycare, subject to availability.
• Tuition waivers for Langara College courses, subject to space availability.
• Course or program tuition reimbursements.
• Wellness classes and campus engagement events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level