Interim Director of Labour Relations
About the role
Just HR has an immediate need for an Interim Director, Labour Relations to lead a short-term engagement with a large, unionized public-sector organization. This role exists to assess and support an employee and labour relations team currently in transition. The organization is seeking a senior professional who can step in, provide experienced guidance to the team, and deliver strategic recommendations on structure, process, and alignment with the organizations legal function. The goal: clearer division of responsibilities, a more effective team model, and a plan for what’s next.
Responsibilities
- Provide interim leadership to the employee and labour relations (ELR) team during a period of organizational change.
- Support two experienced advisors in their day-to-day work and offer expertise where needed.
- Evaluate team structure, workflows, and alignment with the legal department.
- Identify points of friction or overlap between ELR and legal, and offer clear recommendations for improvement.
- Conduct a functional assessment of ELR’s current responsibilities, capacity, and scope.
- Advise on possible reorganization, including whether a director-level role is still needed long term.
- Collaborate with internal legal counsel and act as a liaison to improve cross-functional effectiveness.
- Offer candid, thoughtful feedback to senior leadership on areas for operational improvement.
- Potentially assist with resolving existing grievances or Letters of Understanding (LOUs), if appropriate.
Requirements
- Proven leadership experience in employee and labour relations, ideally at the director level.
- Strong background in HR within unionized environments; public sector experience is an asset.
- Clear understanding of the legal interface in HR, including workplace investigations and grievance support.
- Skilled in team assessment, process evaluation, and organizational design.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Comfortable stepping into an advisory role and offering strategic insights.
- Available for a 6-8 week engagement starting as soon as possible.
- Experience in mid-to-large organizations (5,000+ employees preferred).
Remuneration
Competitive hourly consulting rate, based on experience and fit.
Only candidates eligible to work in Canada will be considered.
JUST HR is a specialized Human Resources recruitment and search firm with seven practice areas: General HR, Compensation & Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Organizational Development, Labour & Employee Relations, HRIS, Health & Safety.
About JUST HR
JUST HR is a recruitment and search firm specializing solely in placing Human Resources professionals. With operations and corporate infrastructure in BC, AB and ON we’re able to service your human resources talent requirements where you are. Our deep expertise includes recruitment teams that focus specifically on delivering talent through our specialized Practice Groups. • Learning & Organizational Development • Compensation & Benefits • Talent Acquisition • Generalist HR • Employee & Labour Relations • Health & Safety • HR Systems & Analytics
Just HR provides our services through three key service offerings: • HR Recruitment • HR Executive Search • HR Interim
-Permanent HR Recruitment & Search- Our experienced recruitment team collaborates with people at all levels of the Human Resources profession, from early career opportunities, right through to HR Director-level roles and Chief Human Resources Officer positions. With long-standing industry connections and a focus on the big picture, we know where to find the right people so you can drive change, enhance culture and deliver business improvements.
-Interim & Contract HR Recruitment- Consultants that are carried on Just HR’s payroll and charged out on an hourly basis, our interim resources are ideal for flexible, short-term and mid-term assignments where there is an immediate or urgent business need.
Our philosophy is embedded in helping our clients achieve their business objectives, not simply filling an open role. We seek to understand what is beyond the job for both our clients and candidates – clients require specific business solutions to their HR initiatives and candidates aren’t simply looking for a job, they have career goals. It’s the intersection of those two ideas that drive everything we do to create the right outcomes.
PEOPLE GOING BEYOND.
Interim Director of Labour Relations
About the role
Just HR has an immediate need for an Interim Director, Labour Relations to lead a short-term engagement with a large, unionized public-sector organization. This role exists to assess and support an employee and labour relations team currently in transition. The organization is seeking a senior professional who can step in, provide experienced guidance to the team, and deliver strategic recommendations on structure, process, and alignment with the organizations legal function. The goal: clearer division of responsibilities, a more effective team model, and a plan for what’s next.
Responsibilities
- Provide interim leadership to the employee and labour relations (ELR) team during a period of organizational change.
- Support two experienced advisors in their day-to-day work and offer expertise where needed.
- Evaluate team structure, workflows, and alignment with the legal department.
- Identify points of friction or overlap between ELR and legal, and offer clear recommendations for improvement.
- Conduct a functional assessment of ELR’s current responsibilities, capacity, and scope.
- Advise on possible reorganization, including whether a director-level role is still needed long term.
- Collaborate with internal legal counsel and act as a liaison to improve cross-functional effectiveness.
- Offer candid, thoughtful feedback to senior leadership on areas for operational improvement.
- Potentially assist with resolving existing grievances or Letters of Understanding (LOUs), if appropriate.
Requirements
- Proven leadership experience in employee and labour relations, ideally at the director level.
- Strong background in HR within unionized environments; public sector experience is an asset.
- Clear understanding of the legal interface in HR, including workplace investigations and grievance support.
- Skilled in team assessment, process evaluation, and organizational design.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Comfortable stepping into an advisory role and offering strategic insights.
- Available for a 6-8 week engagement starting as soon as possible.
- Experience in mid-to-large organizations (5,000+ employees preferred).
Remuneration
Competitive hourly consulting rate, based on experience and fit.
Only candidates eligible to work in Canada will be considered.
JUST HR is a specialized Human Resources recruitment and search firm with seven practice areas: General HR, Compensation & Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Organizational Development, Labour & Employee Relations, HRIS, Health & Safety.
About JUST HR
JUST HR is a recruitment and search firm specializing solely in placing Human Resources professionals. With operations and corporate infrastructure in BC, AB and ON we’re able to service your human resources talent requirements where you are. Our deep expertise includes recruitment teams that focus specifically on delivering talent through our specialized Practice Groups. • Learning & Organizational Development • Compensation & Benefits • Talent Acquisition • Generalist HR • Employee & Labour Relations • Health & Safety • HR Systems & Analytics
Just HR provides our services through three key service offerings: • HR Recruitment • HR Executive Search • HR Interim
-Permanent HR Recruitment & Search- Our experienced recruitment team collaborates with people at all levels of the Human Resources profession, from early career opportunities, right through to HR Director-level roles and Chief Human Resources Officer positions. With long-standing industry connections and a focus on the big picture, we know where to find the right people so you can drive change, enhance culture and deliver business improvements.
-Interim & Contract HR Recruitment- Consultants that are carried on Just HR’s payroll and charged out on an hourly basis, our interim resources are ideal for flexible, short-term and mid-term assignments where there is an immediate or urgent business need.
Our philosophy is embedded in helping our clients achieve their business objectives, not simply filling an open role. We seek to understand what is beyond the job for both our clients and candidates – clients require specific business solutions to their HR initiatives and candidates aren’t simply looking for a job, they have career goals. It’s the intersection of those two ideas that drive everything we do to create the right outcomes.
PEOPLE GOING BEYOND.