Description

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.

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. 

Why Work with LWDH? In this position, there are many benefits to joining our team. But, here are a few highlights:

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)
• Subsidized parking
• Hospitals of Ontario Disability Income Plan coverage that includes short-term sick pay and long-term disability

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) 

Requirements

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 

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