Labour Relations Specialist_FT-Perm

Title of Job: Labour Relations Specialist
Date: June 30, 2026
Closing Date: July 14, 2026
Location: Toronto, ON - People and Culture
Compensation: $83,647 - $90,288 (Hiring Range) Annually Prorated
Work Type: Hybrid
Job ID: 10889048
Existing or New Position: New

Who We Are:
LOFT Community Services is a unique and dynamic charitable organization that supports people living with complicated issues such as mental and physical health challenges, substance use challenges, poverty and homelessness. Serving approximately 19,534 annually and providing 1,839 units of supportive housing last year, LOFT is one of Ontario’s largest mental health service providers of its kind. LOFT is also recognized as a Nonprofit Employer of Choice™ Award (NEOC) recipient.

Job Summary:
The Labour Relations Specialist supports the organization in navigating a dynamic and newly evolving unionized environment. This role provides both strategic and operational guidance to leadership on the interpretation and administration of collective agreements, while fostering positive and effective labour relations. The Specialist plays a critical role in collective bargaining and ongoing labour relations activities by ensuring accurate documentation, tracking commitments, and translating discussions into clear, actionable outcomes. The position also leads grievance and dispute resolution processes, including unionized employee investigations, with a focus on proactive issue resolution that minimizes organizational risk. Additionally, the role is responsible for overseeing the implementation and consistent application of labour relations policies, practices, and procedures across the organization.

People are at the heart of everything we do at LOFT. Our People and Culture team is dedicated to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired while making a difference in the lives of others. Supporting more than 1,300 employees, we provide a full range of human resources services, including Talent Acquisition, Benefits and Payroll, Labour Relations, Talent Development, and strategic HR initiatives. Together, we cultivate a positive employee experience, strengthen our culture, and develop people-focused solutions that help our teams thrive and deliver exceptional care to the communities we serve. Joining LOFT means becoming part of an organization that invests in its people and believes that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and belong.

What You Will Do:

• Labour Relations Strategy & Advisory
  • Act as a strategic advisor to leadership on labour relations matters and collective agreement interpretation.
  • Develop and implement proactive labour relations strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Analyze union interactions and labour data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
  • Stay current on emerging labour relations developments to inform decision-making.
• Collective Bargaining & Negotiations
  • Support end-to-end bargaining processes, including strategy development and internal panning.
  • Participate on the bargaining team and contribute to mandate development.
  • Document negotiations, summarize key outcomes, and track post-bargaining action items.
  • Ensure organization-wide understanding and compliance with collective agreements.
• Grievance & Dispute Resolution
  • Lead grievance handling, investigations, arbitration and related dispute resolution processes.
  • Ensure fair and consistent application of corrective actions and performance management.
  • Work with external legal counsel on arbitration and tribunal related matters.
• Administration, Analysis & Training
  • Maintain accurate labour relations documentation and oversee agreement administration.
  • Provide insights and reporting to support leadership decision-making.
  • Deliver training and build labour relations capability across the organization.

What You Bring:

• Post-secondary education in Labour/Industrial Relations, Human Resources, or a related field.
• CHRP or CHRL designation completed or in progress.
• Minimum 2 years of progressive labour relations experience, including negotiation.
• Experience in grievance handling, arbitration, and collective agreement administration.
• Strong working knowledge of Ontario labour legislation (e.g., Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, Labour Relations tracking tools and HRIS systems (ADP preferred).
• Experience working in multi-site or unionized environments; healthcare or social services experience is an asset.
• Ability to manage high volumes of information with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting reports and agreements.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across all levels.
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Ability to remain composed and effective in high-pressure situations.
• Strategic thinker with a systems-oriented approach to tracking and process improvement.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusive practices.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is preferred.

Work Environment:

• Primarily sedentary, office-based work with extended periods of computer use.
• Exposure to high-pressure situations during collective bargaining, grievances, and dispute resolution.
• Frequent interaction with sensitive and confidential information requiring discretion.
• Occasional travel to various organizational sites or bargaining locations
• Potential for extended or irregular hours during bargaining periods or critical labour relations activities.
• Emotional and mental demands associated with managing conflict and complex workplace issues.

What We Offer:

• A comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability
• Defined Benefits Pension Plan
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• E-learning program available all year round
• Starting vacation time above minimum standard,
• Additional paid personal and paid sick days
• Professional development budget available to help you nurture and shape your career
• Corporate Gym membership rate with GoodLife Fitness
• Access to Perkopolis, a comprehensive corporate discount program
• Access to unlimited DEI trainings through partnership Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Maternity-leave and Parental leave top up program

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
LOFT Community Services is a values-driven organization with a deep belief that each person has the ability to grow and change. We value compassion, collaboration, and community delivered with dignity, innovation, and excellence. LOFT’s vision is that together, we can all live successfully in our community. Our client population reflects Ontario’s diverse community and it is LOFT’s goal to build a workforce who also reflects that diversity. LOFT believes there are many ways to develop skills and build experience and expertise. So even if you don’t “tick all the boxes” but think you’d thrive in this role, you are encouraged to apply.

Note:

• A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.
• This posting provides only a summary of the responsibilities and requirements for the position