Manager, Labour Relations & HR Strategy

MANAGER, LABOUR RELATIONS AND HR STRATEGY

Regular Full Time (Exempt)

About Us

One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community. As one of British Columbia’s largest and most dynamic municipalities, Coquitlam is home to a diverse and rapidly evolving community of more than 170,000 residents.

Located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, Coquitlam combines established neighbourhoods, emerging urban centres, rapid-transit connectivity and significant new community development with extensive parks, trails and natural areas. The City is experiencing substantial growth and transformation while continuing to focus on thoughtful city building, sustainable service delivery and an exceptional quality of life.

Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre. We envision a bright future in Coquitlam that we hope includes you.

About You / What We Are Looking For

The City of Coquitlam is seeking an experienced and relationship-focused leader to join our Human Resources team as Manager, Labour Relations and HR Strategy.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, you will lead the City’s labour relations portfolio while helping translate organizational priorities into practical HR strategies, policies and improvements. Working closely with HR colleagues, operational leaders and union representatives, you will provide trusted advice on complex workplace matters and help build the relationships that support effective municipal service delivery.

This is an opportunity for a seasoned labour relations professional who understands both the technical discipline and the judgment required to achieve constructive outcomes. You bring depth in collective bargaining, grievances, investigations and collective agreement administration, together with the ability to understand competing interests, navigate sensitive situations and find a workable path forward.

We are looking for someone who earns credibility through sound advice, thoughtful negotiation and consistent follow-through. You can hold a clear position while remaining open to different perspectives, recognize when compromise will achieve a stronger outcome, and understand how today’s decisions can shape workplace relationships for years to come.

Alongside this labour relations mandate, you will help advance the City’s recently approved Talent and Retention Strategy. Partnering with managers and HR colleagues, you will turn strategic commitments into practical changes, strengthen policies and practices, and help leaders bring their teams along as the organization evolves.

For an accomplished professional motivated by complex challenges, trusted partnerships and the opportunity to influence how an organization supports its people, this role offers meaningful scope to make a lasting contribution.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the City’s labour relations portfolio, providing strategic direction and practical advice on collective bargaining, collective agreement interpretation and administration, non-occupational disability management, grievances, dispute resolution and complex employee relations matters.
• Develop bargaining strategies, prepare proposals and supporting analysis, and lead or participate in negotiations involving the City’s CUPE and IAFF bargaining relationships.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with union representatives, addressing emerging concerns early and pursuing resolutions that balance organizational needs, employee interests and long-term working relationships.
• Oversee complex grievances and support mediation and arbitration processes, coordinating with HR colleagues, external counsel and other representatives as appropriate.
• Lead or oversee sensitive workplace investigations, ensuring a thorough, fair and well-documented process and providing clear recommendations on findings and appropriate next steps.
• Advise leaders on discipline, performance management, terminations, human rights matters and other sensitive workplace issues, helping them assess options, risks and organizational implications.
• Partner with HR colleagues and managers to operationalize the City’s Talent and Retention Strategy, translating priorities into coordinated initiatives, practical tools and measurable progress.
• Lead the development, review and implementation of HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legislation, collective agreements, organizational objectives and evolving workplace needs.
• Prepare clear, well-supported reports, policy briefs, correspondence and recommendations for senior leadership, and support the CHRO with Council reports and presentations.
• Coach managers and HR professionals on labour relations practices, policy application and effective workplace decision-making, strengthening confidence and consistency across the organization.
• Identify opportunities to improve labour relations processes, reporting and service delivery, using experience, workplace trends and feedback to guide improvements.
• Provide leadership, coaching and development to one direct report, establishing clear priorities and supporting effective collaboration across the Human Resources team.

Minimum Qualifications

• A university degree in Industrial Relations, Labour Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, Commerce or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and experience.
• Substantial progressive labour relations experience in a complex unionized environment, typically gained through ten or more years of relevant practice, including responsibility for sensitive and complex workplace matters.
• Demonstrated experience developing collective bargaining strategies and leading or playing a significant role in collective agreement negotiations.
• Extensive experience managing grievances, conducting or overseeing workplace investigations, and advising on discipline, collective agreement interpretation and dispute resolution.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable employment, labour relations and human rights legislation, with the ability to translate technical requirements into practical advice.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with union representatives, managers and HR colleagues, using sound judgment, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to achieve workable outcomes.
• Strong written communication and analytical skills, including experience preparing policies, reports and recommendations and advising senior leaders on complex or sensitive issues.
• Experience leading people or significant HR initiatives, managing competing priorities, and translating strategic objectives into practical implementation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Approximately fifteen years of progressive experience, bringing breadth and depth across labour relations, employee relations and strategic HR work.
• Experience within municipal government, the broader public sector or a similarly complex environment with multiple bargaining relationships.
• A graduate degree in Industrial Relations, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.
• Experience advising executive leadership, boards or elected officials, including preparing reports and recommendations that support informed decisions.
• Experience implementing talent, retention or workforce strategies and supporting managers through changes to policies, practices or ways of working.
• Experience with human rights proceedings, mediation, arbitration or other complex labour relations processes.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an accomplished labour relations professional who combines technical credibility with emotional intelligence, discretion and a practical understanding of people.

You recognize that effective labour relations requires careful judgment about how and when to exercise authority. You can assess the strength of a position, understand the consequences of different approaches, and negotiate a resolution that protects the organization’s interests while preserving trust wherever possible.

You build credibility with both operational leaders and union representatives. You listen carefully, ask useful questions and remain composed when the issues are difficult. You are comfortable having direct conversations, challenging assumptions and offering advice that may not always be easy to hear.

As a strategic partner, you can move between an immediate workplace issue and its broader organizational implications. You write clearly, anticipate the information senior leaders need, and bring forward recommendations that are balanced, actionable and well supported.

You also understand that a strategy succeeds through the people responsible for putting it into practice. You will work alongside managers and HR colleagues to build understanding, encourage participation and turn the City’s talent and retention priorities into meaningful improvements.

Why Work With Us

• Lead a consequential labour relations portfolio. Apply your experience across complex bargaining, workplace issues and union relationships in a growing municipal organization.
• Help put strategy into practice. Play a central role in advancing the City’s Talent and Retention Strategy and shaping how we attract, support and retain our people.
• Work directly with senior leadership. Partner with the CHRO and leaders across the City, providing advice that informs important organizational decisions.
• Build relationships with lasting value. Help managers and union representatives navigate challenges constructively while strengthening the foundations for future collaboration.
• Influence how HR services evolve. Improve policies, tools and processes that support better decisions and a consistent employee experience.
• Contribute to public service. Support the people whose work makes Coquitlam a welcoming, connected and thriving community.
• Join a recognized employer. Be part of an organization recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers, with opportunities for professional growth and meaningful contribution.

What We Offer:

This is an excluded position with an annual salary range of $147,819 - $166,277 (2026 Rates). The rate of pay will be determined based on a variety of factors including qualifications, knowledge, experience and skills.

This is an opportunity to join a progressive and growing municipality and an accomplished executive team committed to serving a diverse and evolving community. The City supports continuous learning and leadership development and provides opportunities for employees at all levels of the organization to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to public service.

The City offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including an attractive vacation and extended benefits program and participation in the Municipal Pension Plan. There is also an opportunity to participate in the City’s earned day off/flex day program. The position is based in Coquitlam, with flexible and hybrid work options available in alignment with the responsibilities and operational requirements of this senior leadership role.

Accessibility / Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Coquitlam is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer working towards enhancing equitable practices in our recruitment and retention processes. As an organization we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment to support our growing and diverse work force. To learn more about what equity, diversity, and inclusion means, and the City’s efforts in support of these principles, please visit coquitlam.ca/edi for more information.

If at any time during the application or recruitment process you require additional assistance or an accommodation, please contact our team for confidential support. Staff can also provide in-person support if required.

Applicants under consideration may be required to undergo and submit an acceptable police information check.

Good people make Coquitlam great, sign up for career alerts through our recruitment portal to stay up to date about opportunities within our team, or follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about how #YouCouldWorkHere too!

Please apply online at www.coquitlam.ca/careers by 11:55 pm on November 16, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.