Director, Employee Relations - City of Ottawa, Ottawa

About this opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director, Employee Relations provides strategic leadership and direction for the Ottawa Police Service’s Employee Relations function, encompassing Labour Relations and Abilities Management. This is a full-time permanent position within the Senior Officers Association Civilian affiliation, offering an annual salary range of $186,755.66 to $198,012.36 based on 2026 rates of pay.

Your impact

The Director plays a vital organizational role by guiding complex employee relations matters, leading collective bargaining, and overseeing abilities management. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership and direction for labour relations and abilities management services, programs, and initiatives across the Ottawa Police Service.
• Providing expert advice and guidance to the Chief Human Resources Officer, Executive Command, senior leaders, and managers on complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including collective agreement interpretation, grievances, discipline, workplace accommodations, attendance and disability management, return to work, and other employment-related issues.
• Leading the development and implementation of effective labour relations strategies, including collective bargaining, grievance and arbitration management, labour relations consultation, conflict resolution, and the administration and interpretation of collective agreements.
• Providing strategic oversight of the effective management of disability and medical leave claims, including occupational and non-occupational absences, return to work, workplace accommodations, and related abilities management practices.
• Providing leadership and oversight of Occupational Health and Safety programs and initiatives within the Employee Relations portfolio, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, organizational priorities, and sound human resources practices.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with bargaining agents, employees, management, external partners, and other stakeholders to support constructive labour and employee relations and the effective resolution of workplace issues.
• Identifying emerging employee relations risks, trends, and organizational impacts and developing strategies and recommendations to address them.
• Representing the Ottawa Police Service internally and externally in matters requiring senior Employee Relations expertise and leadership.

Who we're looking for

Candidates must meet specific educational, experiential, language, and professional requirements to qualify for this senior administration role:

• Four (4) year University Degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Law, Business Administration, or a related discipline (experience and formal training combined may substitute for stipulated education requirements).
• Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Employee Relations, Disability/Abilities Management, Employment Law, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of senior-level experience providing strategic advice and leadership in labour and employee relations, including collective bargaining, grievance and arbitration, collective agreement interpretation, and complex employment matters.
• Experience analyzing complex and sensitive employee relations matters, assessing organizational risk, and developing and implementing strategic recommendations.
• Experience leading negotiations and resolving complex workplace disputes while effectively representing organizational and management interests.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing staff, leading programs and cross-functional initiatives, and overseeing the effective allocation of financial and operational resources.
• English fluency in oral, reading, and writing.
• Membership in a recognized Professional Association such as the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario (HRPAO) or Law Society of Ontario with associated designation, or completion of courses, or in progress.

What's on offer

• Competitive annual salary range of $186,755.66 to $198,012.36 (2026 rates).
• Full-time permanent employment status.
• Standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule with occasional requirements for irregular work hours.
• Mandatory professional development and in-service training provided by the Ottawa Police Service, including Supervisor Health and Safety, Respectful Workplace, AODA, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion courses.