Senior Advisor, Employee & Labour Relations

Senior Advisor, Employee & Labour Relations Calgary Catholic School District is seeking a Senior Advisor, Employee & Labour Relations to provide specialized employee and labour relations expertise in a complex, multi-union environment. This role combines deep technical ELR expertise with a practical, partnership-oriented approach to supporting school, Area, and system leaders. The Senior Advisor maintains full carriage of complex employee and labour relations matters, provides clear and risk-informed advice, and works closely with Area Directors and other leaders to understand operational priorities, workforce challenges, and emerging people issues. As a member of the Labour Relations & People Partnerships team, the Senior Advisor also works collaboratively across People Services, with Legal Services, and with union and association representatives to support coordinated, sustainable workplace outcomes. About the Role This is a senior practitioner role for an experienced employee and labour relations professional who brings sound judgment, strong technical capability, and confidence navigating complex workplace matters. The Senior Advisor will: · Provide advice, guidance, and support on employee and labour relations matters including collective agreement administration, performance management, discipline, attendance, accommodation, conflict, and organizational change. · Partner with Area Directors and other school and system leaders to understand operational priorities, workforce challenges, and emerging people issues, providing proactive ELR advice and connecting broader People Services expertise where required. · Maintain full carriage of complex employee and labour relations matters from assessment through resolution, including grievances, workplace investigations, human rights and employment-related claims, and other disputes. · Develop file strategy, provide recommendations, negotiate resolutions, and support mediation, arbitration, and other proceedings as required. · Interpret and apply collective agreements, legislation, administrative procedures, policy, and organizational practices to support practical and defensible decision-making. · Build and maintain constructive relationships with union and association representatives and support effective labour-management relations. · Work collaboratively across People Services, including staffing, disability management, leaves, compensation, and classification, to support coordinated responses to complex people matters. · Partner with Legal Services and external counsel on complex or high-risk matters, bringing ELR expertise and organizational context to strategy and resolution. · Identify emerging issues, patterns, and systemic risks and contribute to initiatives that strengthen organizational and People Services outcomes. · Support leaders in building capability and confidence in people leadership through consultation, coaching, education, tools, and practical support. · Participate in collective bargaining and related activities, including preparation, research, proposal analysis, costing, negotiations, and implementation. · Contribute to shared practice, knowledge exchange, and consistency across the Employee & Labour Relations team. · Lead or contribute to People Services projects, working groups, and organizational initiatives where ELR expertise or client partnership is required. What You Bring · Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related discipline; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. · Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation preferred. · Significant progressive experience, typically seven (7) to ten (10) years, in employee and labour relations, human resources, or a related field within a complex unionized environment. · Demonstrated experience managing complex grievances, workplace investigations, performance and discipline matters, accommodations, and other sensitive employee relations issues. · Experience advising operational and senior leaders and working collaboratively with unions, People Services colleagues, and Legal Services. · Strong knowledge of collective agreement administration and applicable labour, employment, human rights, privacy, education, and related legislation. · Sound judgment and the ability to assess risk, develop options, and provide clear recommendations in complex or ambiguous situations. · Strong relationship-building, consultation, negotiation, investigation, facilitation, and conflict-resolution skills. · Ability to influence and build alignment across organizational and functional boundaries. · Demonstrated ability to analyze workplace issues and balance employee, operational, organizational, collective agreement, legislative, and values-based considerations to achieve practical, sustainable outcomes. · High degree of discretion, professionalism, and political acuity in complex stakeholder environments. · Strong written and verbal communication skills. · Collective bargaining, mediation, arbitration, or related labour relations experience is considered an asset. All interested candidates please visit: www.cssd.ab.ca/careers

The Senior Advisor provides specialized expertise in employee and labour relations, managing complex grievances, investigations, and collective agreement administration. They partner with leadership and legal services to resolve disputes and support sustainable workplace outcomes in a multi-union environment.

Requires an undergraduate degree in HR, Labour Relations, or a related field, with 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in a complex unionized environment. A CPHR designation and strong knowledge of labour and employment legislation are preferred.

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Employee Relations
• Labour Relations
• Collective Agreement Administration
• Performance Management
• Workplace Investigations
• Conflict Resolution
• Grievance Management
• Collective Bargaining
• Human Rights Law
• Employment Legislation
• Negotiation
• Stakeholder Management
• Risk Assessment
• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Policy Interpretation

• Human Resources
• Legal
• Education
• Management & Leadership
• Government & Public Sector

Minimum education

Professional degree

Minimum experience

5+ years

Apply by

Feb 10, 2027

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week

Seniority

Mid-Senior level