Director, Labour Relations & HR Business Partnering

Sheridan College

$128K — $176K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • University degree in HR, Labour Relations, or related field.
  • Minimum 9 years of HR experience with 5 years in leadership.
  • Expertise in labour relations within unionized settings and complex environments.
  • Strong business acumen, strategic planning, and budget management experience.
  • Experience in post-secondary education or public sector is an asset.
  • Training in workplace investigations or conflict resolution is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Set strategic direction for labour relations at Sheridan.
  • Build partnerships with union leadership and manage grievance processes.
  • Enhance HR team capabilities in labour relations and HR business partnering.
  • Lead representation in grievances and mediations, providing expert counsel.
  • Identify trends and recommend proactive strategies for improvement.
  • Guide HR Business Partner team in aligning strategies with organizational goals.
  • Champion equity, inclusion, and employee experience initiatives.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model requiring on-site presence at least 3 days a week.
  • Opportunity to lead transformational HR initiatives.
  • Access to continuous professional development and mentoring.
  • Be part of a collaborative HR leadership team with a focus on strategic objectives.
  • Work in a supportive environment dedicated to equity and inclusion.
Full Job Description
Job Title:

Director, Labour Relations & HR Business Partnering

Location:

Oakville, Ontario, Canada

Application Deadline:

August 12, 2026

Job Number:

J0726-0996

Pay Range:

$128,624 $176,857

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Reporting to the Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer (AVP & CHRO), the Director, Labour Relations & HR Business Partnering (LR & HRBP) serves as Sheridan's senior subject matter expert in labour relations and strategic HR business partnering. This leadership role is responsible for shaping Sheridan's labour relations strategy, fostering positive and collaborative union relationships, and leading a team of HR professionals who partner closely with leaders across the College to create an equitable, high-performing and engaging workplace.

We are seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who is energized by both the strategic and human dimensions of labour relations, thrives in complex environments, and excels at building trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders. As a key member of the Human Resources Leadership Team, you will help shape the strategic direction of HR by contributing to the continued evolution and transformation of our function at Sheridan.

What You'll Be Doing

Labour Relations Leadership
  • Serve as Sheridan's senior lead on all labour relations matters, setting the strategic direction and long-term roadmap to foster positive and productive labour relations across the College.
  • Build and maintain strong, constructive partnerships with union leadership through effective collective agreement administration, grievance resolution, and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Enhance labour relations expertise across the HR team, building capability and creating a more integrated Labour Relations and HR Business Partnering function.
  • Lead and represent the College in grievances, mediation, arbitration, and other labour relations proceedings.
  • Provide expert advice and counsel to senior leaders on labour relations matters, ensuring effective risk management and sound decision-making; coach and support people leaders in the consistent interpretation and application of collective agreements, employment legislation, and workplace policies.
  • Lead the resolution of complex workplace and employee relations matters in partnership with the Office of the General Counsel and other stakeholders.
  • Identify emerging trends and risks, recommending proactive solutions, policies, and practices that strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Strategic Business Partnership
  • Lead, mentor, and empower the HR Business Partner team to serve as trusted strategic advisors to leaders across the College.
  • Establish and communicate expectations for consistent, high-quality HR partnership and service delivery across the organization.
  • Partner with business leaders to align people strategies with organizational objectives while supporting employees through change with care, transparency, and consistency.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and exceptional client service within the HRBP team.
  • Develop leadership capability and succession strength within the team through ongoing coaching, mentoring, and professional development

Leadership, Transformation & Collaboration
  • Serve as an active member of the Human Resources Leadership Team, contributing to strategic priorities, organizational initiatives, and HR transformation efforts.
  • Lead and champion initiatives that enhance equity, inclusion, employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and business outcomes.
  • Build strong partnerships across the College, influencing and collaborating with leaders to drive meaningful change.
  • Oversee the operational and financial management of the portfolio, ensuring effective and responsible use of resources.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

About You

You are a seasoned and respected labour relations leader who brings sound judgment, composure, and credibility to complex and high-stakes situations. You are passionate about helping organizations and people thrive and have a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships, navigate ambiguity, and lead through change. You also bring:
  • Deep expertise in labour relations within complex unionized environments, including collective agreement administration, grievance management, investigations, mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.
  • A strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and creating psychologically safe workplaces where everyone can succeed.
  • Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
  • Proven success in leading and developing high-performing teams and transforming HR functions into strategic business partners.
  • Strong change leadership capabilities, with experience driving organizational initiatives and engaging stakeholders through periods of transformation.
  • A data-informed and analytical approach to decision-making, coupled with sound business judgment.

What You Bring
  • A university degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • A minimum of 9 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including 5 or more years in a leadership capacity (equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered).
  • Demonstrated success leading labour relations in a complex unionized environment, including experience supporting multiple bargaining units and/or collective agreements.
  • Strong business acumen, strategic planning, and budget management experience.
  • Experience in post-secondary education, broader public sector, or public sector environments is considered an asset.
  • Training and/or certification in workplace investigations, conflict resolution, mediation, or alternative dispute resolution is considered an asset.

Other Details
Department: Human Resources
Primary Work / Campus Location: Trafalgar (may be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus)
Work Categorization: Hybrid Position - On-site at least 3 days/week
Reference #: J0726-0996
Employee Group: Administrative
Type of Vacancy: Replacement position
Payband: NO
Hiring Range: $128,624 - $176,857
Application Deadline: August 12, 2026

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