Manager of Employee Relations

District School Board of Niagara

Invites Applications For The Following Position

Manager of Employee Relations

Working at the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) means being part of a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what is best for students and helping every individual achieve success. We proudly serve over 42,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.

Reporting to the Executive Officer of Human Resource Services, the Manager of Employee Relations serves as a key member of the Human Resource Services leadership team, providing strategic guidance, advice, and support to the Board's management staff. The Manager of Employee Relations will lead a team of Employee Relations Officers, and an Employee Relations Coordinator to oversee the Board's labour relations functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and advice relating to all labour and employee relations matters including collective agreement/employment contract interpretation, application, and administration, progressive discipline, and performance management.
• Plays a leadership role in the dispute resolution process including grievance responses/resolutions, mediation, arbitration, human rights, labour board proceedings.
• Provides guidance and support related to employee performance appraisals and job evaluation, including managing pay equity maintenance systems.
• Member of the Board's collective bargaining team with key responsibilities for preparations and spokesperson duties.
• Responsible for managing workplace investigations including harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and other workplace misconduct.
• Builds and maintains productive working relationships with all employee groups (Union and Non-Union).
• Participate in provincial Human Resources working groups including attending meetings, professional development, and in-services, where required.
• Responsible for liaising with third parties related to investigations (i.e. Ontario College of Teachers, police services, Family and Children Services, and other professional regulators).
• Maintain current knowledge of legislative updates and identify any necessary amendments to Board policies, programs, or procedures.

Knowledge And Skills

• Extensive experience with collective bargaining, preferably in the public sector.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated exceptional negotiation and mediation skills with the ability to maintain relationships throughout the process.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, guide and develop others.
• Superior judgement, analytical, problem-solving skills, decision making, and organizational skills.
• Exceptional presentation, report writing, oral and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy and use of specialized equipment/technology; and
• Interpersonal skills including the ability to work and communicate effectively with key stakeholders.

Education And Experience

• University degree in Industrial Relations, Human Resources Management, Business or a related field
• Professional designation such as Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), or Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) an asset.
• A Master level of education in Human Resources or a related field is considered a strong asset.
• A minimum of eight (8) years' experience in Human Resources, with a focus on labour and employee relations, in a complex and highly unionized environment.
• Extensive experience in contract administration, labour relations, and human rights.
• Training in and extensive experience with conducting and managing workplace investigations; and
• Human Resources experience in Ontario's Public Education Sector is preferred.
• Or an equivalent combination of experience and education as deemed appropriate by the DSBN.

POSITION DETAILS

Salary range: $ 113,218 – $ 133,005 and includes a comprehensive benefit plan through a provincial benefits trust plan (extended health, dental, life insurance, AD&D), and enrolment in the OMERS pension plan. This is a permanent full-time, 12-month, 35 hour per week position and is part of the Board's union-exempt Administrative Management Group.

Reason for Posting: New Position

How to Apply: Interested Applicants are asked to submit their application, including cover letter, resume, and three professional references using Apply to Education – Job Code 4021750 no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Additional Information

In accordance with Section 29(2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, this is to advise that the information you provide on this form is collected under legal authority of the Education Act, and will be used as necessary for the recruitment, selection and employment purposes of the Board.

The DSBN is committed to equity for all students and staff, and to deliver quality education through a qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Upon request, we will provide reasonable accommodations in the hiring process to support applicants with disabilities.

Personal information on this form is collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carleton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 905-641-1550.

DSBN does not utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants.

Land Acknowledgement

The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. Acknowledging this reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.