Manager, Labour Relations and HR Strategy

Regular Full-Time (Exempt)
One of BC’s Top Employers, the City of Coquitlam offers meaningful career opportunities to make a difference within the local community. As one of British Columbia’s largest and most dynamic municipalities, Coquitlam is home to a diverse and rapidly evolving community of more than 170,000 residents.
Located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, Coquitlam combines established neighbourhoods, emerging urban centres, rapid-transit connectivity and significant new community development with extensive parks, trails and natural areas. The City is experiencing substantial growth and transformation while continuing to focus on thoughtful city building, sustainable service delivery and an exceptional quality of life.
Our brand is built on managing our resources in a responsible and sustainable manner while supporting a vibrant, growing regional urban centre. The City of Coquitlam is seeking an experienced and relationship-focused leader to join our Human Resources team as Manager, Labour Relations and HR Strategy.
Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, you will lead the City’s labour relations portfolio while helping translate organizational priorities into practical HR strategies, policies and improvements. Working closely with HR colleagues, operational leaders and union representatives, you will provide trusted advice on complex workplace matters and help build the relationships that support effective municipal service delivery.
This is an opportunity for a seasoned labour relations professional who understands both the technical discipline and the judgment required to achieve constructive outcomes. Alongside this labour relations mandate, you will help advance the City’s recently approved Talent and Retention Strategy. Partnering with managers and HR colleagues, you will turn strategic commitments into practical changes, strengthen policies and practices, and help leaders bring their teams along as the organization evolves.
For an accomplished professional motivated by complex challenges, trusted partnerships and the opportunity to influence how an organization supports its people, this role offers meaningful scope to make a lasting contribution.
Lead the City’s labour relations portfolio, providing strategic direction and practical advice on collective bargaining, collective agreement interpretation and administration, non-occupational disability management, grievances, dispute resolution and complex employee relations matters.
Develop bargaining strategies, prepare proposals and supporting analysis, and lead or participate in negotiations involving the City’s CUPE and IAFF bargaining relationships.
Build and maintain constructive relationships with union representatives, addressing emerging concerns early and pursuing resolutions that balance organizational needs, employee interests and long-term working relationships.
Oversee complex grievances and support mediation and arbitration processes, coordinating with HR colleagues, external counsel and other representatives as appropriate.
Advise leaders on discipline, performance management, terminations, human rights matters and other sensitive workplace issues,



helping them assess options, risks and organizational implications.
Partner with HR colleagues and managers to operationalize the City’s Talent and Retention Strategy, translating priorities into coordinated initiatives, practical tools and measurable progress.
Lead the development, review and implementation of HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legislation, collective agreements, organizational objectives and evolving workplace needs.
Prepare clear, well-supported reports, policy briefs, correspondence and recommendations for senior leadership, and support the CHRO with Council reports and presentations.
Coach managers and HR professionals on labour relations practices, policy application and effective workplace decision-making, strengthening confidence and consistency across the organization.
Identify opportunities to improve labour relations processes, reporting and service delivery, using experience, workplace trends and feedback to guide improvements.
Provide leadership, coaching and development to one direct report, establishing clear priorities and supporting effective collaboration across the Human Resources team.

A university degree in Industrial Relations, Labour Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, Commerce or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training and experience.
Extensive experience managing grievances, conducting or overseeing workplace investigations, and advising on discipline, collective agreement interpretation and dispute resolution.
Solid working knowledge of applicable employment, labour relations and human rights legislation, with the ability to translate technical requirements into practical advice.
Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with union representatives, managers and HR colleagues, using sound judgment, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to achieve workable outcomes.
Strong written communication and analytical skills, including experience preparing policies, reports and recommendations and advising senior leaders on complex or sensitive issues.
Experience leading people or significant HR initiatives, managing competing priorities, and translating strategic objectives into practical implementation.

Approximately fifteen years of progressive experience, bringing breadth and depth across labour relations, employee relations and strategic HR work.
Experience within municipal government, the broader public sector or a similarly complex environment with multiple bargaining relationships.
A graduate degree in Industrial Relations, Business Administration or a related discipline.
A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.
Experience advising executive leadership, boards or elected officials,



including preparing reports and recommendations that support informed decisions.
Experience implementing talent, retention or workforce strategies and supporting managers through changes to policies, practices or ways of working.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished labour relations professional who combines technical credibility with emotional intelligence, discretion and a practical understanding of people.
As a strategic partner, you can move between an immediate workplace issue and its broader organizational implications. You write clearly, anticipate the information senior leaders need, and
bring forward recommendations that are balanced, actionable and well supported.
You will work alongside managers and HR colleagues to build understanding, encourage participation and turn the City’s talent and retention priorities into meaningful improvements.
Apply your experience across complex bargaining, workplace issues and union relationships in a growing municipal organization.
Help put strategy into practice. Play a central role in advancing the City’s Talent and Retention Strategy and shaping how we attract, support and retain our people.
Work directly with senior leadership. Help managers and union representatives navigate challenges constructively while strengthening the foundations for future collaboration.
Influence how HR services evolve. Improve policies, tools and processes that support better decisions and a consistent employee experience.
Contribute to public service. Support the people whose work makes Coquitlam a welcoming, connected and thriving community.
This is an opportunity to join a progressive and growing municipality and an accomplished executive team committed to serving a diverse and evolving community. The City supports continuous learning and leadership development and provides opportunities for employees at all levels of the organization to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to public service.
The City offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including an attractive vacation and extended benefits program and participation in the Municipal Pension Plan. The position is based in Coquitlam, with flexible and hybrid work options available in alignment with the responsibilities and operational requirements of this senior leadership role. The City of Coquitlam is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer working towards enhancing equitable practices in our recruitment and retention processes. As an organization we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment to support our growing and diverse work force. To learn more about what equity, diversity, and inclusion means, and the City’s efforts in support of these principles, please visit for more information.
If at any time during the application or recruitment process you require additional assistance or an accommodation, please contact our team for confidential support. Staff can also provide in-person support if required.
Good people make Coquitlam great, sign up for career alerts through our recruitment portal to stay up to date about opportunities within our team, or follow us on to learn more about how #YouCouldWorkHere too! Please apply online at by 11:55 pm on November 16, 2026.

📌 Human Resources manager (M/F) - Full time (Coquitlam)
🏢 City of Coquitlam
📍 Coquitlam