Director of Labour Relations

THE VANCOUVER SCHOOL BOARD WELCOMES APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF:

Director of Labour Relations

Salary Range: $177,959 to $197,732

THE ORGANIZATION: VANCOUVER SCHOOL BOARD (SCHOOL DISTRICT 39)

With deep gratitude and respect, we are honoured to be learning and unlearning on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) & səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

At the VSB, we are proud to provide exceptional learning experiences for students. As a large, urban school district, VSB is one of Canada’s most diverse school systems. We embrace Indigenous ways of knowing and learning and work to expand Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum and within our 110 schools and programs, where more than 50,000 students learn and grow.

Equity and inclusivity are at the forefront of our approach to education. More than 7,700 staff work to create learning environments where every student thrives by prioritizing students’ needs, applying evidence-informed practices and building relationships. VSB’s culture reflects the diversity of our city. Students enrolled in VSB come from varied backgrounds and lived experiences and are encouraged to explore and share their unique selves and gifts.

Our commitment to students goes beyond academics. Students’ overall well-being and sense of belonging are equally important. We strive to build a school system where every student can be their authentic self and succeed throughout their learning journey. In doing this work, we champion equity and accountability by making evidence-based decisions. As a learning organization, humility is our guidepost as we seek to continually improve student outcomes in service to them, their families, and the broader community.

Our work is guided by the VSB Education Plan. For more information about our school district, visit

As director of labour relations, reporting to the executive director of employee services, you will provide leadership, support, and strategic advice to the District leadership team to optimize and foster positive labour relations for the district. You will bring your expert knowledge and broad labour relations experience in multi-union and complex public sector environments to this role, preferably within K-12 publicly-funded education, leading all aspects of labour relations, including the bargaining teams for the renewal of all collective agreements.

You will be accountable for providing strategic advice and leadership on all labour relations issues, including collective agreement administration/interpretation, employee discipline, bullying/harassment investigations, grievances, mediation, and arbitrations, labour management committees, human rights complaints and legislation compliance. You will ensure consistent labour relations practices by developing and implementing relevant and engaging training programs for district leadership. The director is also responsible for preparing and delivering presentations/reports to the Board of Trustees, school and district leaders and staff on matters related to collective bargaining/labour relations issues as required.

The director will also be the key resource and trusted advisor to both internal and external partners, including the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA), on a variety of local and provincial labour relations issues and will represent the district on labour relations matters competently with integrity and professionalism.

As the ideal candidate, you are a highly seasoned labour relations practitioner with 7-10 years’ professional experience successfully leading collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance arbitrations processes in a large, complex, multi-collective agreement environment. You possess expert labour relations knowledge in highly regulated sectors and bring exemplary interpersonal and problem solving skills, solid professional judgement, and high level political acumen. You have a demonstrated track record for building and fostering trusting and respectful relationships in diverse and complex environments with leadership…