Business Partner - Employee and Labour Relations

When you join Okanagan College, you’re joining a team that’s transforming lives and communities.

Every course you create, every student you support and every connection you build, it all matters.

Be a part of a vibrant campus community, where the work you do every day truly makes a difference.

Desired Start Date: January 4, 2027
Salary Range: $81,724 -$119,862 annually (Typical hiring range $98,069 - $108,966 annually)
Bargaining Unit: Exempt - Administrators
Appointment Type: Continuing Full-Time
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Posting Closing Date: November 24, 2026

Your Opportunity

The Business Partner, Employee & Labour Relations provides strategic and operational human resources advice, guidance, consultation and coaching to leaders. The Business Partner develops a strong understanding of the operational and workforce needs of their client groups and provides integrated support across the full range of people practices to enable effective leadership decision-making and support organizational priorities.

The Business Partner serves as a trusted advisor on complex and sensitive employee and labour relations matters and works collaboratively with leaders, employees, union representatives and the broader People Services team to achieve effective and consistent outcomes. In addition, Business Partners provide College-wide labour relations support and consistent People Services delivery.

Functions and Duties

1. Serves as a strategic advisor and primary People Services contact for an assigned client portfolio, providing advice, coaching, problem resolution and support to leaders, supervisors and employees across a broad range of employee, labour and human resources matters.
1. Partners with leaders to understand their operational priorities and assess short- and long-term workforce needs, providing strategic advice and developing responsive, practical and value-added people strategies that support the achievement of operational and organizational objectives.
1. Provides advice and guidance on complex and sensitive employee and labour relations matters, including performance management, discipline, conflict resolution, employee misconduct, human rights, employment standards, workplace issues and the interpretation and application of collective agreements, terms and conditions of employment, legislation, policies and procedures.
1. Develops and maintains effective communication/working relationships with local and district union representatives. Represents the Employer in proactively problem-solving, mediating and negotiating resolution of local level grievances and issues.
1. Provides advice and guidance on grievances and other formal and informal disputes; investigates issues and grievances, engages with relevant stakeholders to identify resolution strategies, maintains appropriate documentation and develops responses on behalf of or in support of the responsible manager.
1. Conducts thorough investigations into allegations of employee misconduct and other workplace concerns, ensuring appropriate processes, documentation and recommendations.
1. Identifies recurring employee and labour relations issues, maintains interpretation and case resources, and recommends changes that improve consistency across the College.
1. Researches and supports the preparation of matters proceeding to arbitration and other dispute resolution processes, including preparing labour relations reports, documentation and supporting materials.
1. Represents the College in mediation, arbitration and other dispute resolution proceedings as assigned, including presenting the College’s position, participating in settlement discussions and supporting external counsel where retained.
1. Participates as a member of the College's collective bargaining teams and supports the research, preparation, analysis and development of bargaining strategies and proposals.
1. Leads and coordinates the implementation of new collective agreements, working with People Services and College leaders to ensure changes are understood, communicated and consistently implemented across the organization.
1. Represents the College on joint union-employer committees as required. Represents the College on sectoral committees when required.
1. Provides advice and support on workforce adjustment processes, including organizational restructuring, adjustment strategies and layoffs, ensuring applicable collective agreement, policy and legislative requirements are considered.
1. Manages requests for non-disability-related human rights accommodations and works collaboratively with leaders, employees and other stakeholders to identify appropriate accommodation strategies consistent with applicable legislation, collective agreements and College policies.
1. Provides input into the development and implementation of College-wide human resources policies, procedures, programs and practices and drafts policies, procedures, guidelines and other resources for review and approval.
1. Identifies emerging leadership and management education needs and, in consultation with stakeholders, develops and delivers training, tools and resources on topics such as performance management, labour relations, bullying and harassment, workplace investigations and other people management practices.
1. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• CHRP designation is preferred.
• Minimum of five years of recent, related experience in HR in a complex unionized environment.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong labour relations knowledge including but not limited to collective agreement interpretation, grievance investigation and handling, progressive discipline, and collective bargaining.
• Sound knowledge of applicable employment legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
• Advanced conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated coaching and facilitation skills.
• Ability to act as a change agent.
• Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
• Excellent research skills with ability to synthesize data/information and develop/deliver findings and recommendations.
• Must be flexible and able to manage high work volume and conflicting priorities with frequent interruptions to attend to matters of an urgent nature to meet deadlines.
• Capacity to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, HRIS.

Our Values

• Students first: Creating meaningful life-long educational opportunities of the highest quality for alumni, current, and future students is at the heart of everything we do.
• Community: We are one College. We enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to work with, learn from, and support everyone we encounter collaboratively and collegially.
• Respect: We welcome, embrace, and celebrate that which make us unique in creating an environment in which every individual is valued, affirming our commitment to human dignity for all.
• Courage: We are courageous in our actions in areas that contribute to positive change in our communities and beyond. We have the courage to be vulnerable. We are truthful, sincere, and act ethically with honesty and fairness.
• Relationships: We steward meaningful relationships built on a foundation of reciprocity. We are compassionate, empathic, and care for the holistic well-being of students, employees, community members, and the land.
• Distinction: We choose activities in which we can achieve excellence and positively impact society.

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].