Director, Labour Relations, BC Emergency Health Services

Director, Labour Relations, BC Emergency Health Services

BC Emergency Health Services

Vancouver, BC

The Director, Labour Relations reports to the Executive Director, Human Resources, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and oversees the planning for labour relations throughout BCEHS, represents Human Resources (HR) and the organization in major BCEHS and industry initiatives internally and externally, develops strong partnerships with key stakeholders, and negotiates and facilitates consensus in matters that impact the whole organization.  The Director works in collaboration with HR Directors/Managers and HR staff to deliver labour relations strategies that are aligned with BCEHS and PHSA business needs and strategic directions and to ensure consistency in the delivery of labour relations advice on issues such as collective agreement contract interpretation, grievance handling and resolutions, negotiations with union(s), and liaison with HEABC.  The Director leads a specialty expert LR team and is an integral part of the BCEHS human resources leadership team and as such the Director contributes to the overall strategic planning of Human Resources within the BCEHS.

What you’ll do

• Contributes to the overall strategic leadership of human resources within BCEHS as a key member of the Human Resources leadership team and participates in the development and implementation of human resource policies and procedures.  Formulates, implements, and evaluates goals and objectives for human resources within BCEHS.  Collaborates with the Director, Strategic LR, PHSA and senior HR staff on the implications of policy and organizational direction, redevelopment processes, special projects and PHSA wide initiatives. 
• Coordinates and leads the labour relations function across BCEHS including initiating the development of specific goals and objectives, and setting priorities for planning and implementing strategies; evaluating the performance of the strategies, teams, and responding to changing needs; and implementing quality improvement programs and initiatives consistent with BCEHS and PHSA’s mission and strategic plan and which comply with standards set by the Canadian Council on Hospital Accreditation and the Ministry of Health.
• Provides expert advice and consultation to the organization’s senior leaders.  Guides HR Directors/Managers,HR and LR staff on the provision of advice to management staff on the interpretation of policies and programs and collective agreements ensuring consistent advice is provided and followed throughout BCEHS.  Liaises with the Director, Strategic LR, PHSA on the interpretation of collective agreements and alignment with PHSA mandate to ensure consistency.
• Oversees the labour relations team to successfully provide expert counsel, high quality services, act as a business partner, and to embody and support BCEHS and PHSA values. 
• Provides leadership to staff through coaching, guiding and modeling key behaviours/strategies, encouraging dialogue and providing guidance and advice to facilitate resolutions to work issues. 
• Represents the interests of BCEHS with external organizations regarding the interpretation and implementation of collective agreements, legislation, regulations and government policy and directives.  
• Liaises with internal stakeholders and external organizations including government ministries, provincial unions, healthcare authorities/providers, education institutions and professional associations.
• Negotiates on behalf of the PHSA with union representatives on collective agreement disputes with organizational wide implications.  Maintains union/management relationships as the primary contact on complex and BCEHS wide significant issues. 
• Supports the strategy and preparation for and when required, presents at third party hearings and/or works with legal counsel and HR and operational representatives in the presentation of the Employer’s case, as needed. 
• Coordinates essential service negotiations and supports BCEHS HR staff at Labour Relations Board hearings. 
• Leads the development of BCEHS bargaining proposals and coordinates the proposals for presentation and discussion with the Director, Strategic LR, PHSA.  

What you bring

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Master’s degree in Human Resources or Industrial Relations supplemented by a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively more senior experience with a minimum of five (5) years at a leadership level.
• Solid understanding of labour relations human resource practices, related legislation and applicable collective agreements and jurisprudence. 
• Solid understanding of compensation best practices and policies. 
• Ability to supervise and lead staff;  Comfortable managing matrixed relationship and ambiguity. 
• Ability to influence outside of formal reporting structures and navigate relationships to achieve positive outcomes. 
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to collaborate, facilitate, negotiate, and persuade others. 
• Ability to create and execute strategic human resource plans.   
• Ability to problem-solve with a global perspective in order to incorporate the organization’s systems and strategies when developing viable solutions to problems.  

Indigenous Cultural Safety and Diversity

• Knowledge of Canadian colonial impacts on Indigenous people in social and health contexts, supported by significant knowledge of Canadian and Indigenous ideologies, including knowledge, and understanding of Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility, Indigenous-specific racism and anti-racism.
• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Site Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls calls for justice, and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Supports team members on their learning journey, ensuring education strategy for team/department to implement Indigenous Cultural Safety at a practical level.
• Works collaboratively with appropriate Indigenous teams/departments to ensure ICS lens applied holistically.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.)

While BCEHS would consider a foundation in Indigenous cultural safety to be a strong asset for consideration, our commitment to enhancing Indigenous cultural safety includes providing all employees with access to resources and training programs in partnership with San'yas Core Health Indigenous Cultural Safety Training and Anti-Indigenous Racism Response Training. 

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Character: Models personal and organizational values, and communicates in an honest and transparent manner.
• Assesses & Evaluates: Measures and evaluates outcomes. Holds self and others accountable for results, and course corrects as appropriate.
• Communicates Effectively: Adjusts style based on audiences and situations, using respectful and open communication.
• Demonstrates Critical Thinking: Using a process-focused approach, identifies root causes rather than focusing on the symptoms.
• Self-Awareness: Understands the impact your attributes and emotions have on performance of self, others, and organization
• Builds Teams: Fosters environment of cooperation, support and knowledge sharing

What we do

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) provides provincial emergency medical care and patient transfer services, as a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). BCEHS brings compassionate, equitable, and professional emergency care, interfacility transfers, and community health-care services to people in communities across British Columbia. 

BCEHS is committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness and development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time, Permanent, Non-Contract

Salary Range: $116,591 - $167,600

Typical Hiring Range: $ 106,026 - $138,452

The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan.
Location: Vancouver (Hybrid) 

Closing date: Open until filled
Requisition #: 176890

Contact:excludedrecruitment@bcehs.ca