Position Purpose

Reporting to the Director, Strategic People Services and Administration, this role provides expert strategic counsel and guidance to Senior Leaders and Uniform/Civilian Supervisors. The Business Partner will deliver high-level support on complex labour, employment, and human resources matters, ensuring effective practices across the organization. As a strategic partner, the Business Partner integrates with client leadership to align People, Wellness, & Talent (PWT) initiatives with core business objectives. They deliver data-informed, value-added solutions that drive both departmental; success and broader organizational goals.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Develop comprehensive business acumen for the assigned client area, ensuring alignment with and support of critical strategic objectives.

Cultivate a positive work environment by ensuring consistent application of legislation, policies, and collective agreements.

Serve as the primary strategic partner between branches (Senior Leaders and Uniform/Civilian Supervisors) and PWT teams to provide expert guidance on HR operations and strategic workforce planning.

Act as a subject matter expert who enables the Service to effectively manage labour, employment and human resources issues and mitigate risk, overall contributing to enhanced organizational performance.

Providing risk analysis and recommendations, investigative support and conflict resolution of workplace and labour issues, HR policies & programs, human rights and employment legislative requirements.

Manage complex, high risk and sensitive workplace and labour issues, including grievances, human rights and harassment or other egregious workplace conduct, terminations, safety plans, disability leave matters, and reintegration/return to work.

Develop and deliver education programs for leaders, pertaining to labour, employment, workplace harassment/discrimination, performance management, and other related matters, in consultation with Corporate Development, Training, & Education, and other stakeholders as required.

Provide guidance and direction to the People Relations Specialist, who will support the various objectives of the Business Partner’s assigned portfolio.

Oversee and/or conduct all aspects of internal discrimination/harassment investigations, including full scope of the investigation process, analysis, determination and findings, preparation of reports, and outcomes. Make recommendations for external investigation services, where appropriate.

Lead conflict and dispute resolution, including facilitation, mediation, coaching and directing members through appropriate programs, policies, and guidelines.

Contribute to attendance and disability management plans and processes as a member of a cross-functional team.

Participate in the representation of the Service in legal matters and litigation (e.g. Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB)).

Participate in the internal collective bargaining process, acting on behalf of YRP at the bargaining table and liaising with relevant partners and the Chief Negotiator on research, strategy and approvals.

Partner with Service leadership and PWT to design innovative, proactive solutions for organizational initiatives, ensuring alignment with collective agreements, change management principles, and risk mitigation strategies.

Compose, oversee and direct the implementation of Memorandum(s) of Settlement and Letters of Understanding (LOU) post bargaining, in order to effect necessary language/process changes Service wide.

Develop and facilitate education programs, training and other presentations.

This position description is intended to describe the general level and nature of the position, and is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of all tasks assigned in the performance of this position.

Education, Licensing & Certifications

Experience

Skills

Demonstrated senior experience in employee/labour relations, and human resources generalist functions, in a multi-union public sector environment, including grievance handling, negotiating settlements, chairing labour management committees, researching and applying precedents, developing contract language, and participating in collective bargaining.

Proven expertise in leading complex workplace investigations including disciplinary, harassment and human rights matters, utilizing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and advanced mediation techniques to mitigate organizational risk and resolve high-stakes conflict.

Demonstrated expertise in the consistent application of employment regulations, collective agreements, and HR policies across the Service, ensuring all initiatives align with current public sector best practices and legislative standards.

Strong ability to function independently and as a member of a team dealing with multiple priorities in a complex environment.

Leverages high-level business acumen and emotional intelligence to navigate sensitive, complex, and confidential scenarios with strict neutrality and a disciplined, unbiased approach.