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Department:Strategic Negotiations, Labour Relations and Client Services

Closing Date: This posting will remain open until the job is filled.

Labour Group: ESA

Posting: 5792

Join Our Team

The City of Saskatoon is seeking an experienced Lead Negotiator to lead collective bargaining in a complex, multi-union environment. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, you will develop and execute strategic negotiation plans, provide expert labour relations advice, and be part of a high-performing team to achieve sustainable, legally compliant outcomes aligned with the City’s priorities. If you bring proven negotiation expertise, strong leadership skills, and a team-oriented approach to labour relations, we invite you to apply.

The work you'll be involved in:

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Lead Negotiator is responsible for leading overall negotiations in a multi-union environment for the City of Saskatoon.

This position acts as an advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer on all aspects of bargaining, labour relations and related legal matters. The Lead Negotiator develops and coordinates negotiation strategies, ensures outcomes align with the approved mandate, and fosters collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

It develops negotiation strategies, fosters collaborative labour-management relationships, and ensures compliance with applicable labour laws and regulations. This role demands a robust leader with the ability to navigate complex negotiations, build relationships, and influence positive results. Duties include:





- Acts as the principal advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer on negotiations and related labour relations matters.
- Serves as the lead spokesperson during contract negotiations. Manages the activities of negotiations by directing the work of professional and technical staff in all matters relating to negotiation, labour relations and related legal matters.
- Responsible for collective agreement costings in preparation for mandate development, bargaining and proposal costing and confirmation for mandate compliance.
- Develops and executes negotiation strategies aligned with organizational goals including the development of a multi-year bargaining strategy. Coordinates the work of researching and analysis in preparation for bargaining, as needed.
- Drafts, reviews and edits collective bargaining proposals, offers for settlement, tentative agreements and Council Reports.
- Analyzes and interprets legislation, and court and arbitration rulings applicable to negotiations and related legal matters.
- Plan goals and objectives related to the city’s collective bargaining activities and prioritizes and monitors workloads to ensure negotiations are handled expeditiously.
- Interprets labor contracts and advises on related legal matters.
- Responsible for the performance management process of assigned staff and ensures performance and development plans are in place to support staff career development. Coaches, mentors,



supports and motivates staff, by providing career planning, education and skills training, and performance management.
- Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to develop and support best practices for the delivery of negotiation and labour relations.
- Ensures compliance with various laws, regulatory requirements, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Develop and monitor division key performance indicators (KPIs) and make appropriate changes to KPIs and advise and address when service standards are not being met.
- Manage, direct, coordinate and oversees projects and initiatives.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

Who we are looking for:

Core Competencies:

Strategic Labour Relations Leadership:Provides enterprise-level leadership in collective bargaining and labour relations within a complex, multi-union environment. Aligns negotiation strategies with the City’s long-term financial, workforce, and service delivery priorities, positioning labour relations as a strategic enabler of organizational success.

Expert Negotiation and Bargaining Acumen:Leads high-stakes collective bargaining as the lead spokesperson with confidence, credibility, and discipline. Develops and executes negotiation strategies grounded in research, costing, and mandate alignment to achieve sustainable, compliant, and defensible outcomes.

Influencing and Advisory Excellence:Acts as a trusted advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer and senior leadership on bargaining, labour relations, and related legal matters. Influences decision-making through clear analysis, sound judgment, and persuasive communication with ex

📌 Lead Negotiator (Saskatoon)
🏢 City of Saskatoon
📍 Saskatoon