Labour and Employee Relations Manager

Torstar Corporation is a progressive media organization with a long, proud history in newspapers and a passion for capitalizing on the fluid world of digital and mobile media.  Torstar’s vision for success is driven by a deep customer-centric obsession, continued journalistic excellence, advanced data-driven competency and a culture that is selfless, focused, agile, collaborative and results driven.  Torstar Corporation owns Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and Metroland Media Group Ltd.

• Metroland Media Group Ltd is a dynamic Media Company delivering vital business and community information to millions of readers across Ontario each week through in-print, online, trade shows and distribution product offerings. We also work with businesses to develop tailored multi-channel marketing strategies that reaches local customers. Visit www.metroland.com for more information.

• The Toronto Star was founded in 1892 and has long been Canada’s largest daily newspaper. Now a multi-platform news organization, the Star publishes a newspaper seven days a week in the Greater Toronto Area and publishes ongoing news and information to a global audience on thestar.com and mobile applications. 

Our Commitment to Diversity
We strive to be a leader in building and cultivating an employee community framed around fairness, support and opportunity. We believe that what makes us different, makes a difference. And as a team, the diversity of our backgrounds, interests and experiences is what enriches our work, and our workplaces. We welcome all, and we strive for an inclusive culture that allows individual growth and shared success.

Reporting to Vice President, People and Culture, the Labour and Employee Relations Manager is responsible for developing a labour management environment that establishes a trust based and collaborative relationship with the unions that enhances Torstar’s ability to drive innovation and improvement in organizational performance. The incumbent will facilitate and support implementation of labour and employee relations’ strategies by providing expertise to assigned leadership teams to translate their business objectives into strategic talent plans to resolve complex HR challenges. The initial client assignment will be Editorial teams across the Torstar publications. As required, the incumbent will provide team leadership guidance to peers to support growth and development. This is a hybrid role with the corporate office located at 8 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Provide proactive and strategic advice and counsel to leadership teams on various of employee issues, including but not limited to managing performance and productivity  issues, high absenteeism, and disability management
• Conduct strategic analysis of absenteeism trends, recommend education or mitigation strategies, facilitate and manage disability claims process including supporting employee return to work plans and accommodation arrangements
• Provide expertise on issues related to the interpretation and management of collective agreements, grievances, arbitrations, and general labour relations.
• Manage and coordinate Labour Management Committee meetings, and ensure timely follow up of agreed to action items
• Lead assigned employee investigations as required
• Educate client groups to ensure they have a good understanding of the collective agreement through informal discussions and formal seminars
• Prepare mandate, draft provisions and be the advisor and/or first chair in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations
• Coach senior leaders and managers to improve/enhance their leadership effectiveness and provide counsel and continuous feedback to drive a high performing culture.  
• Partner with HR colleagues to implement proactive employee engagement strategies, programs, and plans to drive business results and employee value proposition.
• Manage the talent review process and partner with leaders to create measurable action plans to develop and grow talent.
• Strengthen the organizational capabilities by challenging the status quo to achieve a high performing HR function
• Represent Torstar both internally and externally, role model organizational values, and foster collaborative and accountable relationships.
• Identify cross-functional challenges and opportunities and ensure effective and successful value-added solutions that maximize outcomes.

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business or equivalent
• 8+ years of progressive HR/Business Partner experience within a unionized environment
• A record of success leading the labour relations function across multi-union environment
• Having strong analytical, critical thinking and results oriented skills and abilities is a must
• Demonstrates exceptional business acumen and ability to influence stakeholders
• Impressive communication and collaborative skills to lead initiatives
• Has the leadership courage to try new ideas, make tough decisions, and address key opportunities
• Embraces change with the ability to adapt quickly to evolving dynamics and thrives in ambiguity and an entrepreneurial environment
• Comfortable working on both the strategic level and hands-on level
• Experience providing guidance, support and team leadership to peers is considered an asset

AODA
We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process ensuring equal access to employment opportunities for candidates, including persons with disabilities. In compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario Human Rights Code we will endeavour to provide accommodation to persons with disabilities in the recruitment process upon request. If you are selected for an interview and you require accommodation due to a disability during the recruitment process, please notify the hiring manager upon scheduling the interview of your requirements.