Labour Relations Specialist (RFT 1.0 FTE)
About the role
Position Information
Posting Number:
ROM26-116E
Title:
Labour Relations Specialist (RFT 1.0 FTE)
Position Status:
Regular Full-time
FTE:
1.0
Job Schedule:
Days
Department:
Human Resources
Union:
Non-union
Site:
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Level of Police Check:
Criminal Record Check
About The Royal
As one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres,The Royal has a clear purpose: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. This is at the core of everything we do and it is driven by the passion, focus and dedication of our employees. Every day, the work that we do transforms the lives of people with mental illness through specialized mental healthcare, advocacy, research and education
Our current hybrid model requires employees to work on-site three days per week. This schedule supports collaboration while offering flexibility. Please note that on-site requirements may change at any time based on operational needs.
Position Summary:
The Labour Relations Specialist supports a positive and productive labour relations environment by providing expert guidance to leaders and HR partners on a broad range of labour and employee relations matters. Reporting to the Manager, Labour and Employee Relations, this role leads grievance management, supports mediation and bargaining processes, conducts workplace investigations, and builds effective relationships with union representatives. The Specialist ensures proactive, consistent, and strategic labour relations practices that align with organizational priorities and the distinct needs of each bargaining unit.
Duties:
- Serve as a subject matter expert on collective agreements, grievance management, dispute resolution, mediation, and collective bargaining, ensuring consistent interpretation and application across the organization.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with union representatives and act as a key liaison in labour‑management committees, Occupational Health & Safety committees, job evaluation/pay equity processes, arbitrations, and other joint forums.
- Provide expert guidance and training to leaders on labour relations practices, including discipline, workplace investigations, collective agreement administration, and grievance handling.
- Lead all steps of the grievance, dispute resolution and arbitration processes, HRTO complaints, workplace investigations, and facilitate timely resolution of employee conflicts.
- Conduct research and prepare materials to support collective bargaining and contribute to post‑bargaining implementation and communication.
- Advise leaders on complex labour and employee relations matters, supporting policy development, organizational restructuring, realignment, and compliance with employment and labour law.
- Develop deep knowledge of assigned bargaining units to provide tailored, strategic labour relations support and contribute to organization‑wide LR initiatives.
- Collaborate with HR colleagues and leadership teams to ensure consistent labour relations practices and alignment with corporate HR strategies.
- Support communication and implementation of labour relations initiatives and collective bargaining outcomes across the organization.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance administrative efficiency and ensure accurate, timely documentation of grievances, investigations, and arbitration files.
- Provide labour relations support across all Royal sites—including both main campuses and satellite locations—to ensure consistent, high‑quality service delivery.
Qualifications:
- 4-year undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related field
- Minimum three (3) years experience in Labour Relations or Union Management
- Thorough knowledge of hospital policies, rules, regulations and employment related legislation.
- Strong knowledge of workplace diversity, conflict resolution, and investigations under Ontario’s Bill 168.
- Solid understanding of arbitral jurisprudence and interest-based bargaining principles.
- Strong planning, prioritization, and organizational skills to manage competing demands and meet deadlines effectively.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active listening to support clarity, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to long‑term planning and organizational development.
- Proven ability to lead or support grievance handling and workplace investigations with fairness, consistency, and confidentiality.
- Collaborative and team‑oriented, able to work effectively across HR, operational leaders, and union stakeholders while maintaining discretion in sensitive matters.
- Exercise sound judgment and initiative within established authority, ensuring decisions align with organizational policies and values.
- English level A- is mandatory in oral expression, oral comprehension, reading and writing. Bilingual (French/English) is considered an asset.
Salary Range:
52.82 to 61.23 per hour
Additional Information
- All applicants must provide a recent resume that clearly indicate that they meet the required qualifications.
- The Royal sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in a career with us; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
- All new hires will be required to obtain a clear and valid Criminal Record or Vulnerable Sector Records Check as a pre-condition of employment.
- The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group is committed to equity and inclusion in the workplace. Our commitment is rooted in the belief that a diverse workforce enhances the quality of care and organizational strength. We encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities and welcome individuals from all backgrounds. Upon request, accommodations due to disability are available throughout the recruitment process.
Not the right fit? Search for Labour Relations Specialist jobs in Ottawa, ON
About Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres. Our mandate is simple: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. The Royal combines the delivery of specialized mental health care, advocacy, research and education to transform the lives of people with complex and treatment resistant mental illness. The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health raises funds that support The Royal’s work while placing a sharp focus on awareness building through the You Know Who I Am campaign.
The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (ROHCG) is made up of:
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (ROMHC) - a new 188-bed state-of-the-art mental health facility located in Ottawa;
- The Brockville Mental Health Centre (BMHC) - a specialized 219-bed psychiatric facility located in Brockville;
- The University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) - home of leading-edge multidisciplinary research programs that investigate the biological and psychological factors contributing to mental illness and innovative ways to treat mental illness;
- Royal Ottawa Place (ROP) - a 96-bed long-term residential care centre located in Ottawa; and
- The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health - the fundraising organization that supports mental health research, capital projects and equipment purchases on behalf of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group.
Similar Jobs
Labour Relations Specialist (RFT 1.0 FTE)
About the role
Position Information
Posting Number:
ROM26-116E
Title:
Labour Relations Specialist (RFT 1.0 FTE)
Position Status:
Regular Full-time
FTE:
1.0
Job Schedule:
Days
Department:
Human Resources
Union:
Non-union
Site:
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Level of Police Check:
Criminal Record Check
About The Royal
As one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres,The Royal has a clear purpose: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. This is at the core of everything we do and it is driven by the passion, focus and dedication of our employees. Every day, the work that we do transforms the lives of people with mental illness through specialized mental healthcare, advocacy, research and education
Our current hybrid model requires employees to work on-site three days per week. This schedule supports collaboration while offering flexibility. Please note that on-site requirements may change at any time based on operational needs.
Position Summary:
The Labour Relations Specialist supports a positive and productive labour relations environment by providing expert guidance to leaders and HR partners on a broad range of labour and employee relations matters. Reporting to the Manager, Labour and Employee Relations, this role leads grievance management, supports mediation and bargaining processes, conducts workplace investigations, and builds effective relationships with union representatives. The Specialist ensures proactive, consistent, and strategic labour relations practices that align with organizational priorities and the distinct needs of each bargaining unit.
Duties:
- Serve as a subject matter expert on collective agreements, grievance management, dispute resolution, mediation, and collective bargaining, ensuring consistent interpretation and application across the organization.
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with union representatives and act as a key liaison in labour‑management committees, Occupational Health & Safety committees, job evaluation/pay equity processes, arbitrations, and other joint forums.
- Provide expert guidance and training to leaders on labour relations practices, including discipline, workplace investigations, collective agreement administration, and grievance handling.
- Lead all steps of the grievance, dispute resolution and arbitration processes, HRTO complaints, workplace investigations, and facilitate timely resolution of employee conflicts.
- Conduct research and prepare materials to support collective bargaining and contribute to post‑bargaining implementation and communication.
- Advise leaders on complex labour and employee relations matters, supporting policy development, organizational restructuring, realignment, and compliance with employment and labour law.
- Develop deep knowledge of assigned bargaining units to provide tailored, strategic labour relations support and contribute to organization‑wide LR initiatives.
- Collaborate with HR colleagues and leadership teams to ensure consistent labour relations practices and alignment with corporate HR strategies.
- Support communication and implementation of labour relations initiatives and collective bargaining outcomes across the organization.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance administrative efficiency and ensure accurate, timely documentation of grievances, investigations, and arbitration files.
- Provide labour relations support across all Royal sites—including both main campuses and satellite locations—to ensure consistent, high‑quality service delivery.
Qualifications:
- 4-year undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Business Administration or related field
- Minimum three (3) years experience in Labour Relations or Union Management
- Thorough knowledge of hospital policies, rules, regulations and employment related legislation.
- Strong knowledge of workplace diversity, conflict resolution, and investigations under Ontario’s Bill 168.
- Solid understanding of arbitral jurisprudence and interest-based bargaining principles.
- Strong planning, prioritization, and organizational skills to manage competing demands and meet deadlines effectively.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including active listening to support clarity, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to long‑term planning and organizational development.
- Proven ability to lead or support grievance handling and workplace investigations with fairness, consistency, and confidentiality.
- Collaborative and team‑oriented, able to work effectively across HR, operational leaders, and union stakeholders while maintaining discretion in sensitive matters.
- Exercise sound judgment and initiative within established authority, ensuring decisions align with organizational policies and values.
- English level A- is mandatory in oral expression, oral comprehension, reading and writing. Bilingual (French/English) is considered an asset.
Salary Range:
52.82 to 61.23 per hour
Additional Information
- All applicants must provide a recent resume that clearly indicate that they meet the required qualifications.
- The Royal sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in a career with us; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
- All new hires will be required to obtain a clear and valid Criminal Record or Vulnerable Sector Records Check as a pre-condition of employment.
- The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group is committed to equity and inclusion in the workplace. Our commitment is rooted in the belief that a diverse workforce enhances the quality of care and organizational strength. We encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities and welcome individuals from all backgrounds. Upon request, accommodations due to disability are available throughout the recruitment process.
Not the right fit? Search for Labour Relations Specialist jobs in Ottawa, ON
About Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres. Our mandate is simple: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. The Royal combines the delivery of specialized mental health care, advocacy, research and education to transform the lives of people with complex and treatment resistant mental illness. The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health raises funds that support The Royal’s work while placing a sharp focus on awareness building through the You Know Who I Am campaign.
The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group (ROHCG) is made up of:
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (ROMHC) - a new 188-bed state-of-the-art mental health facility located in Ottawa;
- The Brockville Mental Health Centre (BMHC) - a specialized 219-bed psychiatric facility located in Brockville;
- The University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) - home of leading-edge multidisciplinary research programs that investigate the biological and psychological factors contributing to mental illness and innovative ways to treat mental illness;
- Royal Ottawa Place (ROP) - a 96-bed long-term residential care centre located in Ottawa; and
- The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health - the fundraising organization that supports mental health research, capital projects and equipment purchases on behalf of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group.