EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Director, Employee Relations
Vancouver Island University
CONTENTS
Organizational Overview | 2
Position Responsibilities | 4
Candidate Requirements | 6
Moving to Nanaimo | 8
Application Process | 9
ORGANIZATIONAL
OVERVIEW
GENERAL
VISIONARY GOAL
Known as a centre of excellence, Vancouver Island University
(VIU) produces quality graduates who are in demand by
employers across the country and around the world. VIU
offers a supportive campus community focused on innovative
teaching methods, undergraduate research opportunities and
creating an exceptional learning experience for our students.
VIU’s rich history and connection with its communities dates
back to 1936 when Nanaimo’s first vocational training school
opened its doors. Today, VIU offers an extensive range of
programming, from industry-responsive trades and applied
training to academic undergraduate and graduate degrees. VIU
has evolved into a university that supports a student population
of over 16,000 learners, including 2,100 international students,
over 1,500 Aboriginal students, and employs over 2,000 faculty
and staff. Located on British Columbia’s spectacular West
Coast, VIU offers the opportunity to live and learn in one of the
most beautiful university settings in Canada.
As a trusted educational partner in the promotion of sustainable
cultural, economic, environmental and social well-being, we
inspire our students, faculty and staff, our communities and
the people of Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia
through our commitment to excellence in learning, student
success, respectful discourse, Indigenous ways of knowing and
personal well-being.
To learn more, visit www.viu.ca
PURPOSE
As a leader in providing high-quality learning, Vancouver Island
University supports the well-being of the people of Vancouver
Island and coastal British Columbia by promoting a high quality
of life for their communities through commitment to student
success, community engagement and associated scholarship.
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Committment
to Student
Success
Internationally
Respected
Excellence
Evolution
and Growth
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POSITION
RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERAL
Under the general direction of the Executive Director, Human
Resources, this position has overall responsibility for strategic
planning and operational leadership across a wide range
of routine and complex employee relationship issues. The
Director, Employee Relations will provide expertise, direction,
and strategic counsel in the development, implementation,
and coordination of practices and policies in a variety of areas
pertaining to employee and labour relations. As a key member
of the management team, the Director, Employee Relations will
collaborate with all levels of the Institution and is responsible
for maintaining effective working relationships with unions and
the faculty association while ensuring all policies and programs
are consistent with the operational goals and strategic direction
of the University.
•
Taking a position of lead negotiator on collective
agreement bargaining, and taking a position of leadership
in grievances and arbitrations to ensure processes are
managed in a manner consistent with operational needs
and in alignment with the University’s business objectives
and strategies;
•
Developing and maintaining strong and positive working
relationships with unions, the faculty association and key
internal and external stakeholders, including management
and staff at all levels, provincial and local union and
faculty association representatives, legal counsel, and
government agencies;
•
Keeping abreast of contract language evolution, arbitration
and legal decisions, legislation, and regulations pertaining
to labour relations and the HR function;
•
Review of new labour legislation and emerging labour
trends and advising senior management on appropriate
implementation strategies to ensure compliance;
•
Represent employee relations on internal committees and
institutional forums and develop strong partnerships with
key stakeholders and external constituents.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•
•
Providing leadership and expertise in the development
of strategic employee relations policies, procedures,
programs, and services in alignment with VIU’s strategic
plans and organizational objectives;
Leading and directing the development of an overall labour
relations strategy for the University to ensure a highly
motivated workforce, a rewarding work environment, and
institutional compliance with collective agreements and
legislative obligations;
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (CONTINUED)
Other Functions and Responsibilities
•
The incumbent will fulfill the general positional responsibilities
through these accountabilities:
•
•
Review compliance with legislative and contract guidelines
related to labour processes to achieve continuous quality
improvement and organizational development.
Accountable for reviewing, evaluating, and advising
the Executive Director on matters relating to employee
working conditions, labour negotiations, litigation matters,
and implementation strategies for labour relations policy
and institutional change initiatives.
Act as an institutional advocate and engaged partner in
the building and enhancement of relationships with the
University’s many constituencies, external representatives,
and the larger community.
•
Developing, coordinating, and facilitating training in a
variety of areas including new collective agreements, hiring
practices, performance management, process review, and
disciplinary requirements.
•
Attend Labour / Management Committee meetings and
support the work of the Committees as appropriate.
•
Assuming the duties of the Executive Director, Human
Resources as and when required;
•
Assuming any duties and responsibilities that may be
assigned by the Executive Director, Human Resources;
•
Attending Labour Relations Committee meetings of the
Board as required; and
•
Acting as the University representative with the Labour
Relations Board of BC.
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CANDIDATE
REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL
The ideal candidate brings a minimum of ten years of
experience as a strategic and progressive senior Labour
Relations practitioner with specific experience in a large multiunion public sector organization. The Director, Employee
Relations will have a keen understanding of diverse needs and
have a track record of taking a proactive approach in creating
consultative partnerships with internal and external clients,
so that the University’s long term goals and objectives are
achieved. They will bring outstanding consensus- and teambuilding skills and have a history of success in achieving buyin from stakeholders and moving best practices forward. The
Director will thrive in a highly collegial, minimally-hierarchical,
democratic and complex organizational structure.
•
Success in developing, implementing, and sustaining
innovative policies and programs that foster excellence in
employee and union/faculty association relations, service
delivery, and legislative compliance in higher education;
•
A demonstrated understanding of human resource
practices, related legislation, an ability to interpret
applicable collective agreements and/or various rightsrelated legislation;
•
Experience navigating diverse internal and external
faculty and staff groups within a multi-union/association
environment, and the ability to manage the variety of the
University’s relationships with key unions, associations
and external agencies;
•
Proven success in dispute resolution, program and policy
development, and essential service planning.
•
A collaborative and strategic problem solver, with an
inclusive and timely approach to the management of the
University’s employee and labour relations;
•
A commitment to diversity and equity in employment and
education;
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•
An undergraduate degree plus a graduate degree in
business administration, labour relations, human resource
management or equivalent;
•
A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR)
designation;
•
Relevant experience in a senior leadership role
demonstrating a strong record of interest-based collective
agreement negotiation, policy development, and advisory
service;
EXECUTIVE PROFILE—DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS | 6
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (CONTINUED)
•
Strong leadership and decision making skills with an
exceptional capability for consensus-building and resolving
issues in an open and consultative manner;
•
Motivated professional with excellent interpersonal and
highly developed oral and written communications skills;
and
•
Ability to leverage change management principles in
accomplishing strategic objectives and achieving key
imperatives.
•
Communication – Clearly presents written and verbal
information; writes with clarity and purpose; communicates
effectively in both positive and challenging circumstances;
listens well.
•
Creativity and Innovation – Develops new insights
into situations; questions conventional approaches;
encourages new ideas and innovations; designs and
implements new or cutting edge programs/processes.
•
Effective Working Relationships – Treats staff, colleagues,
and customers with respect; resolves conflict respectfully
and in a timely manner; negotiates effectively, and provides
effective feedback to colleagues/employees.
•
Integrity and Honesty – Demonstrates a resolute
commitment to and respect for the spirit and intent behind
the mandate and core values of the organization, setting
an example of professionalism and ethical propriety.
•
Student Focused – Anticipates, responds, and attends
to the needs of students and other internal and external
stakeholders of the department and institution. Keeps the
student interests in the forefront.
COMPETENCIES AND PERSONAL
CHARACTERISTICS
•
Leadership – Achieves desired organizational results by
encouraging and supporting the contribution of others; a
proactive and positive team player who acts with a sense
of urgency and leads by example; sets and communicates
clear goals.
•
Accountable – Holds self and others accountable for
responsibilities; focuses on results and measuring
attainment of goals.
•
Strategic – Develops and implements a plan in support
of organizational strategic direction. Demonstrates an
understanding of the link between one’s job responsibilities
and overall organizational goals and needs, and performs
one’s job with the broader goals in mind.
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MOVING TO
NANAIMO
Nanaimo is a welcoming, friendly city of nearly 90,000 people, offering extraordinary beauty and an affordable lifestyle. Nanaimo is the
second largest city on Vancouver Island and has one of the longest shorelines in Canada. Here, you can go from the mountains, the ocean
or the wilderness to the city centre in just a few minutes and spend more time living the life you want to live rather than spending your
hours stuck in traffic.
Nanaimo offers you the unique opportunity to live an achievable and affordable west coast lifestyle while being located near larger cities
like Vancouver and Victoria. Nanaimo is a diverse harbour city chosen by businesses, artists and families for the affordable lifestyle, relaxed
vibe, and outdoor recreation options.
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APPLICATION
PROCESS
How To Apply
To apply or make a recommendation, please contact PFM Executive Search
Attention Allison Rzen and Gordon Andersen at [email protected]
All telephone inquiries to 604.689.9970 or Toll-Free 1.800.864.9970
Application Format
Format for written applications should be presented as follows:
1. A covering letter describing briefly why the opportunity is of interest and what you believe you can bring to the role.
2.A full CV containing the following information:
a.Title, full name, address, daytime and evening telephone numbers, and email address
b.Residency status
c.Present and previous roles
d.Details of education, and professional training and qualifications
e.Any other relevant information such as offices held in professional bodies, community services, etc.
PFM Executive Search
PFM Executive Search was founded in 1992 with the vision of creating an executive search firm that provides tailor-made
executive search services to clients in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Over the last 24 years, our firm has earned the
reputation as one of the most respected executive search firms in Canada.
PFM Executive Search is a BC owned and operated incorporated company. We are a founding member of Panorama Global
Search Partners, an international alliance of like-minded executive search organizations.
www.pfmsearch.com
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TEL 604.689.9970 | TOLL-FREE 1.800.864.9970
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