As a Supervisor in Labour Relations within the Department of National Defence, you will lead and manage a team responsible for managing the relationship between the organization and its workforce. You will provide expert advice on labour relations matters, collective agreement administration, grievance management, and dispute resolution. This role bridges human resources management and operational needs, ensuring compliance with collective agreements and labour legislation while supporting both management and employees.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing the investigation and resolution of labour disputes, managing grievance and arbitration processes, providing guidance on collective agreement interpretation, and supporting managers across the department in labour relations issues. You will also coordinate training initiatives, monitor labour relations trends, and represent the department in discussions with union representatives and external labour relations bodies.
You will work in a dynamic environment that requires strong communication skills, the ability to remain neutral and objective, and a commitment to finding fair solutions to complex workplace issues. Your work directly contributes to maintaining a positive workplace culture and operational effectiveness across DND.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily labour relations operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a post-secondary diploma or degree in human resources, labour relations, business administration, or a related field. Many successful candidates have completed professional certifications such as the Canadian Industrial Relations Association (CIRA) designation or equivalent labour relations credentials. Experience working in labour relations, human resources, or union environments is essential.
Once hired, you will have access to professional development opportunities including training in conflict resolution, collective agreement administration, and labour law. The Public Service offers tuition support for relevant certifications and courses. You may also access leadership development programs to strengthen your supervisory capabilities. DND supports continuing education through professional memberships and conference attendance to keep current with labour relations best practices.
Entry Plans
Entry to this career in the federal Public Service typically occurs through competitive staffing processes advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website. The position is classified at the Labour Relations (LR) group and level, commonly at the LR-03 or LR-04 level for supervisory roles. You may enter through:
• Open competitions advertised to the public and Canadian citizens
• Internal DND competitions for current employees seeking advancement
• Lateral moves from other federal departments with labour relations experience
• Priority hiring pools for former Public Service employees
If you are new to the Public Service, you can also explore student programs and internships with DND's Human Resources branch to gain entry-level experience. Once hired, advancement typically follows successful performance and completion of further training or education requirements. Some candidates enter at junior labour relations levels (LR-01 or LR-02) and progress to supervisory positions through demonstrated competency and competition success.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are available for this role, depending on operational needs and management approval. Many organizations within DND support flexible schedules that allow you to balance work and personal commitments while meeting business requirements.
Remote and hybrid work options are increasingly available for labour relations supervisors, particularly for advisory and administrative tasks. However, some in-person presence may be required for meetings with union representatives, grievance hearings, and team supervision. The specific flexibility available will depend on your work location and the needs of your branch. Interested candidates are encouraged to discuss accommodation options during the hiring process and with their manager once hired.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
