Consultant, Labour Relations

Labour Relations Division
Full-time Permanent
Target hiring range: $104,754 to $ 117,848

Position Profile:

The foundation of the Ontario Hospital Association’s (OHA) strategic plan is the need to be a strong and healthy association to serve hospitals so that they can change and evolve as organizations within Ontario’s health system. The OHA’s goal is to serve and actively support its diverse membership. We are committed to leadership and excellence by providing industry-leading guidance and advice to our members.

The OHA is looking for an energetic professional with outstanding communication skills. You will play a senior role in the coordination of central collective bargaining with the major hospital unions. You have a solid understanding of labour relations and will provide leadership and guidance to member hospitals on labour relation matters.

You are a great listener and your communication style, energy and self-confidence motivates people to work with you.  You thrive in a fast-paced environment, can handle multiple project simultaneously and you have a strong sense of accountability for your work and the service that you and your team provide to your colleagues, the organization, and stakeholders.

The Position:

Reporting to the Director, Labour Relations, the Consultant, Labour Relations is responsible for:

• Assisting in the planning process in preparation for central collective bargaining, including participation in policy formulation, objective setting, mandate development, etc. with hospitals, negotiating teams and other advisory committees which oversee central collective bargaining.
• Participating in central bargaining as a team member and may also act as spokesperson.
• Preparing written submissions on behalf of hospitals in interest arbitration.
• Providing expert advice and guidance to hospitals on labour and employee relations matters related to the administration, interpretation and application of collective agreements and handling of complaints and/or grievances.
• Coordinate and participate on provincial committees arising out of central collective agreements.

The work of this position is done in a demanding, fast-paced environment which often presents tight deadlines and the performing of duties outside of normal business hours and on weekends.

The Candidate:

You are able to anticipate and respond to politically sensitive situations. You have the flexibility and resilience to adapt in a changing environment. You have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders. You possess excellent analytical, research, negotiation, facilitation and presentation skills. You are an effective team player and disciplined self-starter.

A degree in a related discipline, combined with demonstrated related work experience, and knowledge of hospital collective agreements is required.

A solid understanding of labour law and Ontario employment-related legislation, in particular the Employment Standards Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Hospital Labour Disputes Arbitration Act, the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act, the Human Rights Code and the Pay Equity Act would be advantageous in the position. The candidate has the ability to work under pressure and within multiple deadlines, and be responsive within a dynamic environment.

The ideal candidate might be described as dynamic, positive, collaborative, persuasive, resilient, driven, results-oriented, and has a sense of humour.

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

If you’re excited about working at the OHA but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

Why Join the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)?

Join us in serving Ontario’s hospitals to build a better health system. As a not-for-profit association, the OHA offers you a fulfilling role supporting our members through advocacy, knowledge translation and member engagement, labour relations, and data and analytics.

An inspiring and creative place to work, the OHA is your opportunity to change the healthcare system for the better, while having a lot of fun. You’ll also be welcomed into a supportive and inclusive environment built on our core values of:

Humility – we listen to and respect the view of others
Discovery – we explore new ideas and possibilities
Passion – we bring energy and enthusiasm to what we do

Our Culture

The OHA is committed to fostering a climate that values equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding these values and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and department at the OHA. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from Black individuals and Persons of Colour, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ persons, and others who may contribute to the diversity of ideas within our organization. We are committed to the fair assessment of each candidate’s abilities, and consider their range of experience, including non-traditional career paths.

Employee engagement is key to the success of any business, and that’s why the OHA is proud of our 100% employee engagement rate. We consistently survey staff to ensure we can respond to their needs and engage in meaningful conversations to improve our corporate culture. It’s why we’ve been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada (five times!). Our 2022 Best Places to Work award from Human Resources Director demonstrates our commitment to a culture that upholds diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health, wellness, and compassionate leadership.

As we search for qualified candidates to join our team, their fit with our culture and values are just as important.

Our Perks

Joining the OHA gives you access to a multitude of benefits including:

• The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan where the OHA matches your contributions.
• Fully paid extended health and dental benefits, including travel insurance.
• Access to a comprehensive Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• A performance management program that provides an annual performance pay on top of your base salary.
• Coverage up to $1,000 for home office expenses for new staff.
• A Lifestyle Spending Account with $600 to spend on care and wellness.
• Tuition assistance and professional development support ($2,000 for general education or $5,000 for a master’s program).
• Flexible work schedule – work from home 3 days per week, onsite hours (10am to 4pm), and summer hours with alternate Fridays off.
• Start with 3 weeks of vacation which increases based on years of service.
• Extra time off including corporate office closure during the December holiday season, 4 life days and 1 anniversary day.
• Peer-to-peer recognition programs where we celebrate each other’s successes.
• Fun staff events and activities to support engagement and team building.

To Apply:

Potential applicants are invited to submit a resume and covering letter by October 25, 2024. We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to the OHA and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

If contacted for an interview, please inform us should accommodation be required.

Application Process and Requirements:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. The successful applicant must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (as defined by the Government of Canada) or have a valid vaccination exemption pursuant to the Human Rights Code. Further, they must provide proof of vaccination (or a valid exemption) prior to the start date, provide updated information as necessary, and comply with any ongoing vaccination-related requirements. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.