The Work You Will Be Involved In Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Lead Negotiator is the City of Saskatoon’s lead voice at the bargaining table, negotiating on behalf of Saskatchewan’s largest municipality across eleven bargaining units, from civic and transit employees to firefighters and professional staff. This is a focused, high-impact role. You will shape the City’s multi-year bargaining strategy, translate Council’s mandate into sustainable settlements, and serve as the principal advisor to the CHRO on bargaining and related labour relations matters. With the City’s pattern approach to bargaining, the tone set at the first table carries through every table that follows, so preparation, judgement and credibility matter from day one. Above all, this is a role for a relationship builder. The City values a collaborative, respectful approach with its union partners, one that secures the best achievable outcome for residents while strengthening labour-management relationships for the long term. With the next round of bargaining on the horizon, the successful candidate will invest early in trust with union leadership and General Managers and will be as comfortable in a hallway conversation as at the table or in front of Council. Major Responsibilities
- Leads the City’s side of the table as Chief Spokesperson in a multi-union environment, directing the professional and technical staff who support negotiations.
- Serves as the principal advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer on bargaining, labour relations and related legal matters.
- Designs and executes the City’s multi-year bargaining strategy, aligning every table with long-term financial, workforce and service delivery priorities.
- Owns collective agreement costing,



from mandate development and proposal costing at the table to final confirmation of mandate compliance.
- Works with City Council to shape bargaining mandates and presents negotiation updates and proposed settlements that clearly address financial, operational and labour relations implications.
- Drafts and refines bargaining proposals, offers of settlement, tentative agreements and Council reports.
- Builds trusted, year-round relationships with union leadership and General Managers, understanding the pressures on both sides well before the next round of bargaining begins.
- Partners with Labour Relations, Legal and department leaders to prepare for bargaining and ensure proposals reflect the realities of front-line service delivery.
- Analyzes and interprets legislation, collective agreement language, and court and arbitration decisions that shape the City’s bargaining position.
- Plans and prioritizes bargaining activity to keep negotiations moving efficiently and develops and monitors key performance indicators for the function.
- Coaches and develops the staff who support negotiations, and champions best practices in negotiation and labour relations.
- Ensures compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements and collective agreements.
- Performs other related duties as assigned. Education and Experience
- Degree in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Law or a related field.




- 10 years of progressive experience in human resources and labour relations, including at least 5 years as a Chief or Lead Negotiator.
- A proven track record of negotiating and settling collective agreements, preferably in a municipal or public sector setting; experience in large, unionized private sector organizations will also be considered.
- Demonstrated experience costing collective agreements and evaluating the financial impact of bargaining proposals.
- Advanced knowledge of negotiation techniques, principles, strategies and best practices.
- Considerable knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal labour and employment law, collective bargaining principles, and legal research methods.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-stakes negotiations with composure and sound judgement.
- Demonstrated ability to bring contemporary, creative solutions to labour relations challenges.
- Robust communication, conflict resolution and relationship-building skills, with the ability to earn trust at every level, from front-line staff and union leadership to senior leaders and elected officials. Core Competencies Strategic Labour Relations Leadership: Treats bargaining as a strategic lever, not a transaction. Aligns negotiation strategy with the City’s long-term financial, workforce and service delivery priorities across a complex, multi-union environment. Expert Negotiation and Bargaining Acumen: Leads high-stakes bargaining as Chief Spokesperson with confidence, credibility and discipline. Stays calm and even-keeled under pressure, knows when to hold firm and when to move, and reaches outcomes that are sustainable, compliant and defensible. Influencing and Advisory Excellence: A trusted advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer, senior leadership and Co

📌 Lead Negotiator (Saskatoon)
🏢 Municipal World
📍 Saskatoon