DIRECTOR, EMPLOYER ASSOCIATION & LABOUR RELATIONS COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF

Applications for this role will only be accepted at the NorQuest College Career Site https://careers-norquest.icims.com/jobs/2912/director%2c-employer-association-%26- labour-relations/job

The Role

This is an exciting new opportunity to lead, revolutionize and influence labour relations in the Alberta post-secondary sector. As the Director of the Alberta College Sector Employer Association, you will provide leadership and direction on establishing an Employer Association for the college sector with an initial focus on labour relations and collective bargaining.

You will come with significant labour relations expertise, to lead the creation and development of the Association, working closely with a Management Committee and the college’s Senior HR Officers that make up the membership of the Association. Your core abilities will include being results focused, strategic and an innovative thinker, with a proven background in the labour environment in Alberta. You should be familiar with working in an academic environment, and comfortable reporting to the Management Committee of the Association Member Presidents (the Board).

The Goal

The overall goal in the year of inception is to create a professional association which can represent members’ collective interests as it relates to labour relations and collective bargaining and build a brand of the Association as a respected partner. You will work with the membership to ensure an understanding and recognition of each institutions local autonomy and support provided to preserve their ability to sustain their cultural and labour practices. The development of a consistent approach to collective bargaining for the college sector, ensuring alignment with other post-secondary institutions and the broader public sector, and building a reputation and service delivery model for the association that has demonstrated value add will be key. There is potential for expansion of services in future years, if determined that would be mutually beneficial to the membership.

The Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Management Committee, the Director is responsible to:

• Work with the Management Committee to develop a principles and guidelines document for the Association and to define its value proposition. • Collaborate with the Management Committee to identify any miscellaneous funding requirements. • Provide leadership in labour relations, negotiations and collective bargaining. • Collaborate with the college’s Senior HR Officers and their respective labour specialists to strategize for current/upcoming round of bargaining in 2021. • Create avenues for regular communication with the college’s Senior HR Officers. • Coordinate bargaining preparation sessions and regular updates as to status of bargaining at each member institution. • Liaise with the Provincial Bargaining Coordination Office to ensure awareness of Ministerial Directives and the Post-Secondary Sectoral Bargaining Strategy and pacing. • Liaise with the operating board of CCC presidents as required • Lead the collective bargaining negotiations cycle through to implementation of renewal agreements. • Participate in the development of strategic bargaining plans, strike/contingency planning, and the development of bargaining proposals at the institutional level, designed to achieve exceptional member experience and engagement. • Provide counsel and guidance on the impact of decisions and recommendations providing regular communication and reports to key stakeholders. • Work closely with stakeholders to ensure member agencies are up to date on current labour issues impacting the system. • Develop and conduct any surveys needed for the purpose of collective bargaining.

The Qualifications

• A post-secondary degree and/or diploma in a related filed or equivalent workplace experience. CPHR, Industrial Relations, or other related designation is an asset. • Five (5) plus years of progressive leadership experience in labour relations within the post-secondary sector including experience with bargaining strategy, mandate requests, collective bargaining as a labour relations expert, chief spokesperson, grievance/arbitration handling, strike/contingency planning, and post bargaining implementation. A combination of experience will be considered. • Knowledge of the Alberta labour relations environment and structure. • Professional knowledge and experience in the post-secondary sector. • Experience analyzing and planning for complex labour issues including the impact of bargaining decisions in multi union, sequential bargaining environment. • Proven relationship builder with the ability to build and maintain strong, professional relationships with key stakeholders. • Demonstrated advanced interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to facilitate formal and informal presentations and manage and respond to difficult and complex situations promptly, effectively and professionally. • Demonstrated problem-solving and dispute resolution skills and ability. • Demonstrated experience in the interpretation, application and administration of collective agreements and employment related legislation and regulations. • The ability to negotiate using analytical, influence and persuasion skills. • The ability to analyze and interpret information contained in business related documents, write reports and correspondence, and effectively relay/present information accordingly. • The ability to efficiently and effectively research case law, trends, collective agreement language, rights settlements and interest settlements. • Proven ability to work and respond in a high stress, high volume, fast paced environment where priorities can shift quickly. • Clear understanding of the resource issues faced by publicly funded organizations and its impact on Labour Relations and sustainable bargaining. • Political acumen with senior and executive leaders, and provincial officials.

The Details

This position reports to the Management Committee of the Association Member Presidents which is comprised of members from , , Grande Prairie, College, , , , NorQuest College, , and Lakeland College. As such, this role can exist in any location in Alberta with the expectation of travel to various member locations when required.

This is a full-time term role. Hours per week are thirty five (35) and the expected term end date is June 30, 2022 with the possibility of extension or the position being made permanent. We are happy to entertain secondment opportunities for candidates within the Association membership and other post-secondary institutes.

This position has been classified at a Director level with a salary range of $135,000 to $170,000 commensurate with education and experience. Eligibility to participate in extended health benefits and pension programs will be immediate.

COMPETITION NUMBER: 2021-2912

CLOSING DATE: March 14, 2021

Applications

If this opportunity excites you and your expertise will shine in this role, we invite you to apply for this position here https://careers-norquest.icims.com/jobs/2912/director%2c- employer-association-%26-labour-relations/job.

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion throughout our member associations. We invite and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institutions.

We will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].

The personal information collected within the application process is used for the purpose of identifying and recruiting candidates, assessing applicant qualifications, and maintaining records pertaining to the administration of employment. Uniquely, as this application relates to multiple Alberta public colleges, candidates’ applications will be shared with the selection committee that is made up Red Deer College, Grande , Olds College, Lethbridge College, Bow Valley College, Keyano College, , Northern Lakes College, NorQuest College, Portage College, and Lakeland College. For successful candidates, this information will form part of the employment record and will be used for other activities related to onboarding and the employment process. Collection is authorized by the Employment Standards Code and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is managed in accordance with those acts. Questions about the specific collection and use of personal information can be directed to the Director, People and Talent Operations, 10215 108 Street NW, , Alberta T5J 1L4; Tel: 780-644-6183.