Employee and Labour Relations Manager

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

First, we are on a mission to improve healthcare in Northwestern Ontario. Second, we have a brand new hospital coming to Kenora. If you want to be part of an organization and community that is growing, and use your labour relations expertise to support meaningful change, this role is for you.

You’ll be the steady, trusted advisor leaders and unions rely on when situations are complex and stakes are high - bringing integrity, fairness, and consistency to every decision. You’ll strengthen labour management relationships, stabilize key people processes, and help prepare the organization for upcoming bargaining and system change. Strong employee and labour relations are foundational to a stable, respectful, high performing workplace - and in healthcare, that stability directly supports patient care.

ABOUT US

Kenora, Ontario is located just 2 hours east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. At Lake of the Woods District Hospital (LWDH), we are committed to delivering safe, high quality, culturally respectful care to the Northwestern Ontario region. Our teams work collaboratively to support patients across acute, pediatric, and continuing care settings, grounded in a patient first philosophy and evidence-based practice.

Kenora offers an exceptional lifestyle supported by natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a welcoming community. Joining LWDH means becoming part of a region that values balanced living, strong teamwork, and continuous learning.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Bring clarity, consistency, and leadership to complex people matters. Lake of the Woods District Hospital is seeking an experienced Employee and Labour Relations Manager to lead a critical portfolio in a complex, unionized healthcare environment. This is a high‑impact, hands‑on leadership role responsible for labour relations, employee relations, occupational health, and total rewards, ensuring the organization operates fairly, consistently, and in compliance with legislation and collective agreements. You will coach and support leaders, build strong labour‑management relationships, and lead practical improvements across staffing, scheduling, and core HR operations.

Key Responsibilities

You will lead a broad portfolio and a multidisciplinary team, partnering closely with leaders, unions, and stakeholders across the organization. Responsibilities include:

• Lead labour relations across multiple collective agreements, including interpretation and consistent application
• Manage grievances and arbitrations; prepare for and support collective bargaining cycles
• Conduct and oversee workplace investigations, progressive discipline, and conflict resolution
• Provide leadership for Occupational Health & Safety, WSIB, and disability management programs
• Oversee payroll, compensation, and benefits to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant administration
• Oversee the staffing office, scheduling operations, and related process improvements
• Coach and advise leaders on complex employee matters, risk mitigation, and best practices

This role is well-suited to a resilient, emotionally intelligent leader who can balance operational demands with longer-term improvement work - strengthening frameworks, building team capacity, and helping LWDH navigate change.

ABOUT YOU

You are a results-driven, people-first leader who brings deep labour relations expertise and a calm, fair approach to high-stakes situations. You build credibility quickly with unions, leaders, and staff through transparent communication, sound judgment, and consistent decision-making. You enjoy improving systems, mentoring teams, and helping an organization strengthen its culture and capabilities.

You thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing priorities and are comfortable working on-site in a healthcare setting, with occasional on-call responsibilities.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• CHRL or CPHR designation (required)
• Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in leadership and/or business-partner portfolio management
• Deep labour relations experience in a unionized environment (healthcare/hospital strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated expertise in grievance management, arbitration preparation, and collective bargaining support
• Strong expertise in workplace investigations, progressive discipline, and conflict resolution
• Working knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety, WSIB, and disability management
• Proven ability to coach leaders and develop teams with a collaborative, service-oriented leadership style

Desirable Experience

• Experience leading or supporting transformational change initiatives (e.g., centralized staffing model implementation, scheduling modernization, HR service delivery redesign)
• Experience overseeing payroll operations, compensation programs, and benefits administration
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary HR team (including mentorship/coaching and team capability-building)
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, reconciliation, cultural safety, and inclusive workplace practices

Other Requirements

• Criminal Record Check
• Vulnerable Sector Check
• Verification of all required certifications
• Up-to-date vaccinations according to Hospital policy

Why Work with LWDH? In this position, there are many benefits to joining our team:

Compensation & Financial Benefits

• 5 weeks vacation prorated from date of hire
• 5 days of discretionary paid time off
• Desjardin Group Life Insurance coverage that includes basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, short/long-term disability coverage, and voluntary custom options
• Statutory holidays
• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) – employer-matched defined benefit pension
• Relocation support ($10,000 moving allowance and 3 months of temporary housing)
• Hospitals of Ontario Disability Income Plan coverage that includes short-term sick pay and long-term disability
• Subsidized parking

Health & Wellness

• Extended health benefits (vision, dental, prescription, paramedical, hospital accommodation)
• Staff physiotherapy services
• Onsite gym access
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff wellness initiatives and employee perks program
• Short Term Disability, Long term Disability and EAP

Professional Development

• Annual professional development funding
• Access to internal training and continuing education
• Opportunities for mentorship and advancement within the organization
• Supportive, high performing executive team that supports change

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible working arrangements based on Hospital policy
• Optional 4 over 5 pre-paid leave plan (20% income deduction/savings plan for 4 years, allows you to take a one-year paid leave in fifth year)

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

This role is firmly grounded in operational excellence today, while also supporting the organization through a period of change. Success means stabilizing core people processes while strengthening labour‑management relationships and preparing for upcoming bargaining and system improvements.

In your first 3–6 months, you will:

• Meet key partners (union representatives, leaders, and HR/operations stakeholders) and establish trusted, transparent working relationships
• Review collective agreements, current grievances, investigations, and active labour relations risks; implement a clear issue-management rhythm
• Assess team capacity and stabilize day-to-day priorities across labour relations, payroll, and staffing/scheduling
• Confirm upcoming bargaining timelines and begin readiness planning (issues tracking, data and costing needs, and stakeholder alignment)
• Collaborate with your team on 2–3 high-impact process improvements and launch quick wins (e.g., scheduling workflows, escalation pathways, case tracking)

While the focus remains on doing the work well today, you will also help the organization prepare for what’s ahead by delivering the following outcomes:

• Build strong credibility and working relationships with unions, leaders, and staff through clear, consistent, and respectful communication
• Gain a deep understanding of applicable collective agreements and ensure consistent interpretation and application across the organization
• Prepare the organization for upcoming bargaining cycles with strong issues management, data readiness, and coordinated planning
• Support and develop the capacity the HR team and related functions (labour relations, payroll, staffing), building capacity through coaching and clear expectations
• Deliver fair, timely investigations and effective resolution of employee and labour relations issues
• Identify and implement practical process improvements in staffing, scheduling, and core HR operations

READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
LWDH is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and culturally safe workplace. We welcome applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process in accordance with applicable legislation - please contact the hiring team to make a request.

If you’re ready to lead through complexity, strengthen labour‑management relationships, and help shape the future of healthcare in Northwestern Ontario, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply online through the LWDH Talent Pool Portal by the posting closing date.