Bring your labour relations expertise to make a difference in Ontario's education sector. The Ministry of Education seeks a skilled negotiator to join its leadership team responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to negotiate and operationalize new agreements for represented and non-represented employees in the education sector.
As the Director, you will have the opportunity to lead front-line negotiations for Ontario's education sector. Your transformational leadership skills will enable you to engage across a horizontal stakeholder group, and shape labour relations in the education sector. As a member of the Ministry's leadership team, you will lead and be accountable for fostering an anti-racist and inclusive workplace, where all staff feel safe, supported and can fully contribute and progress in their careers.
An effective leader in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is responsible, innovative and collaborative. A responsible leader is someone who demonstrates authenticity, accountability and courage in how they interact with others. An individual who models ethical behavior, and who is honest and capable of making difficult choices. An innovative leader is someone who leads with common purpose, embraces positive disruption, and has a future mindset. An individual who inspires others, values continuous learning and encourages development and integration. A collaborative leader focuses on helping others to grow, drives people-centered outcomes and promotes an environment of inclusivity. A leader who consistently works to confront bias and systemic barriers while understanding the importance of creating a more diverse and accessible workplace.
OPS commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racismThe OPS is an innovative, responsive, and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable. Diversifying leadership teams is a top OPS priority with the goal to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most underrepresented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) in leadership positions.
You are invited to complete the
voluntary survey and contribute to building a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive and accessible OPS.
The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply and encourages applications from Indigenous and racialized individuals and persons with disabilities.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
The OPS offers employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's
Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.
About the job
As part of a labour relations leadership team, the Director will:
• Lead the development and implementation of strategies and plans to negotiate and operationalize central collective agreement terms.
• Direct the business and operational strategies required for the provincial negotiation process.
• Work with and provide expert advice to senior executives in the facilitation, negotiation and settlement of provincial terms representing the Crown and working with employer representatives of English language school boards across Ontario.
• Develop and role model effective relationships with English school boards and their employee bargaining agents to identify issues suitable for provincial discussion.
• Develop and ensure the implementation of the business and operational plans to ensure sound strategies, plans and initiatives to build capacity in the negotiation of collective agreements.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders to promote compliance and resolve disputes regarding collective agreements.
What you bring to the team
Leadership
• You are an inclusive leader who fosters and creates a culture of diversity, inclusion anti-racism and equity in the workplace
• You have experience leading and motivating high-performing and diverse teams
• You are a transformational thinker who can plan strategically and communicate a strategic view of labour relations to those around you
• You have superior management and strategic leadership abilities to lead and influence people
Labour Relations Expertise
• You are an experienced leader who has extensive collective bargaining experience
• You have proven labour relations expertise in the planning and implementation of collective agreements
• You have experience as a table leader for union or management negotiations
• You can promote compliance with legislative authorities, regulations and policies in all labour relations activities
• You can quickly gain an understanding of the unique characteristics and needs of Ontario's school systems and stakeholders
• You have proven ability to understand and apply relevant legislation and policies
Relationship Management/Communications
• You have experience dealing with diverse and influential stakeholders
• You are able to work across divisions and organizations with senior leaders to achieve results
• You demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and experience dealing positively with others in highly stressful situations
• You are skilled at providing advice and briefings regarding issues, negotiations and agreements to senior executives or officials
Judgement, Tact and Political Acuity
• You have political acuity to anticipate and respond to politically sensitive situations
• You have flexibility and resilience to adapt in a changing environment
• You can identify long-term issues and trends related to collective agreements and terms and conditions of employment or school board/union/association results