HR Advisor - UBC, Vancouver

AI Summary

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is seeking an HR Advisor for its Vancouver Campus. This role provides expert advice and counsel on human resources management issues, ensuring best practices within the Vice President, Finance & Operations (VPFO) portfolio. Key duties include guiding employee relations issues, interpreting policies, and partnering with clients on strategic business plans. A relevant undergraduate degree and five to seven years of related experience are essential for this position.

About the Opportunity at UBC

As an HR Advisor at UBC's Vancouver Campus, you will play a pivotal role within the Vice President, Finance & Operations (VPFO) portfolio. This position provides critical advice and counsel, making recommendations on all human resources management issues to ensure that best practices are consistently established and maintained across various units. You will provide leadership with respect to the Focus on People Workplace Practices Initiative, developing strong relationships and partnering with clients to integrate human resources expertise into their strategic business plans. This involves active participation in the review of organizational structures, performance, and change management issues, as well as facilitating conflict resolution opportunities. The role is integral to fostering an inclusive and fair workplace, reflecting UBC's commitment to employment equity and a diverse workforce, which is key to achieving excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff, and students.

Key Responsibilities and Impact

The HR Advisor provides comprehensive guidance and direction in handling complex employee relations issues. This includes expert interpretation of collective agreements, managing grievance handling up to Step 2, overseeing progressive discipline processes, conducting thorough investigations, and navigating terminations. Furthermore, the role provides essential support for return to work and accommodation initiatives, collaborating closely with Workplace Health Services. You will consult with and coach clients on a wide range of human resources management issues pertaining to staff employees, ensuring the establishment of robust human resource best practices. This involves developing and maintaining strong partnerships with client departments, offering advice on strategic business plans related to workforce planning, project management, and change management. The role also involves collaborating with managers on specific attendance management issues, delivering training sessions, and participating in the development and roll-out of new human resource initiatives and programs. The implications of decisions and advice provided can significantly impact legal and financial liability, operational restrictions, and relations with unions and employees, underscoring the critical importance of sound judgment in all human resources matters.

Qualifications for Success

To succeed in this HR Advisor role, candidates must possess an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, coupled with a minimum of five to seven years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A strong willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including those in conflict with one’s own, is essential, alongside a demonstrated commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Preferred qualifications include a CPHR designation and experience in the administration of collective agreements and labour relations within a complex unionized environment. Comprehensive knowledge of current Human Resource Management practices and relevant provincial and federal legislation governing employers' human resource practices is highly valued. Experience using a coaching model to influence and advise clients, along with effective presentation, leadership, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, are crucial. The ability to establish and maintain supportive working relationships with clients and team members, develop and implement strategies to meet client needs, and travel to various departmental unit locations is also preferred.