Senior Advisor, Labour and Employee Relations

OverviewSenior Advisor, Labour and Employee Relations role at Dalhousie University. This position reports to the Director, Labour and Employee Relations and provides professional expertise in the administration of collective agreements and management of complex employee relations matters.Position DetailsPosition Title Senior Advisor, Labour and Employee RelationsDepartment/Unit People and CultureLocation Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaPosting Number S211-25Employee Group DPMGPosition Type Regular, On-GoingEmployment Type Full TimeFull-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0Salary $70,319 - $94,202 per annumClassification ADM-06About Dalhousie UniversityDalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a national and international university with a diverse student and staff community.Job SummaryDalhousie University’s People and Culture team works to align the university’s Human Resources goals with its core values, ensuring they are embedded across the institution so all community members feel included, supported, and empowered to thrive and contribute to the university’s mission. The Senior Advisor will provide professional expertise and leadership in the administration of collective agreements and management of complex employee relations matters, serving as a key resource in fostering constructive labour-management relationships.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide strategic and operational labour and employee relations advice to unionized and non-unionized grant-paid employees, Principal Investigators (PIs), Deans, Directors, and administrative leaders. Interpret and apply collective agreements, legislation, and university policies.Oversee the implementation and administration of the PSAC grant-paid collective agreement, ensuring provisions are followed. Identify gaps, trends and systemic issues, and recommend proactive strategies.Advise on performance, attendance, employment matters, accommodation, compliance requirements, and collective agreement interpretation. Support early and effective resolution of workplace issues through coaching, mediation, and other intervention strategies.Ensure data accuracy and compliance through collaboration with internal units. Oversee maintenance of accurate HR data for PSAC grant-paid employees to ensure compliance and payroll accuracy. Develop tools and processes to enhance data reporting and tracking of key labour relations metrics.Lead, conduct, and support disciplinary processes, grievance handling, investigations, and collective bargaining activities. Provide advice, conduct research, prepare documentation, and represent the university in grievance procedures.Note: The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.Required QualificationsUndergraduate degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business, or a related field plus a minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in labour and employee relations within a unionized environment (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with a proven track record of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.Exceptional communication (verbal, written and presentation) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and clearly convey complex information to diverse stakeholders.Strong problem-solving skills and innovative thinking with the proven ability to work independently and contribute collaboratively as part of a high-performing team.Commitment to ongoing professional development in collective bargaining, mediation, and employment law.AssetsGraduate degree or certificate in Industrial Relations.Labour and employee relations experience in the public or post-secondary sector.Job CompetenciesThe successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies, in particular:Respect & InclusionAdaptabilityCommunicationThinking and Acting StrategicallyRelationship BuildingAdditional InformationDalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.Application ConsiderationApplications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration. We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.Diversity StatementDalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples, persons of Black/African descent, and other equity-deserving groups. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.Posting Detail InformationNumber of Vacancies OneOpen Date 12/01/2025Close Date 12/13/2025Open Until Filled No #J-18808-Ljbffr