Manager, Employee & Labour Relations

WHO WE ARE Opened in 1914 and welcoming over 1.3 million visitors annually, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's most-visited museum, ranking among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America. At ROM, we are dedicated to building and sharing global collections, sharing knowledge, inspiring learning, and fostering community engagement. As a globally recognized field research institute, ROM houses an impressive collection of over 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, showcased in over 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. We are committed to creating a space where art, culture, and nature intersect, connecting people and communities to the past, present and shared future.

As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.

WHO WE NEED This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping labour relations practices within one of Canada’s leading cultural institutions.

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Manager, Employee & Labour Relations to join our Human Resources team. This role is ideal for a seasoned HR professional with deep expertise in labour relations, workplace investigations, and complex employee relations within a unionized environment.

As a senior subject matter expert, you will serve as a trusted advisor to leaders across the organization, providing thoughtful guidance on sensitive and high-impact workplace matters while supporting collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and labour strategy. You bring sound judgment, credibility, and the ability to balance organizational priorities, employee experience, and risk considerations.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and pragmatic professional who builds trusted relationships, communicates with clarity and empathy, and is comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about fostering respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplaces.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

Serve as a senior advisor to leaders across the organization, providing strategic guidance on complex labour and employee relations matters with a focus on risk mitigation, defensibility, and alignment with organizational priorities

Lead grievance and dispute resolution processes, including case strategy, preparation, and coordination to support effective and timely outcomes

Contribute to labour strategy and support collective bargaining preparation through research, analysis, costing considerations, and collaboration with internal stakeholders and union partners

Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with union representatives and participate in labour-management discussions to support positive working relationships

Lead and oversee complex workplace investigations, ensuring procedural fairness, consistency, and defensible decision-making

Interpret collective agreements, employment legislation, and organizational policies to provide clear, balanced, and practical guidance on sensitive workplace matters

Identify and mitigate organizational risk through proactive case management and thoughtful advisory support to leaders

Coach and support leaders to strengthen labour relations capability, navigate complex employee situations, and foster respectful workplace practices

Lead or contribute to the development, review, and implementation of Employee Relations/Labour Relations (ER/LR) policies, programs, and initiatives aligned with organizational priorities

Analyze trends and emerging issues to provide insights that inform decision-making and support continuous improvement of ER/LR practices

Develop and deliver training and education to leaders and teams on labour relations, employee relations, and workplace policies

Apply strong project and change management discipline to support ER/LR initiatives and organizational priorities

WHAT YOU BRING

A post-secondary degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or a related field, along with a CHRP or CHRL designation (or progress toward completion)

7–10+ years of progressive HR experience with a significant focus on employee and labour relations within a unionized environment, ideally in a complex or multi-stakeholder organization

Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations matters, including conducting or overseeing workplace investigations, supporting grievance processes, and providing guidance on performance, conduct, conflict resolution, and accommodation

Experience supporting collective bargaining preparation and labour relations strategy through research, analysis, costing considerations, and collaboration with internal stakeholders

Strong experience interpreting collective agreements and applying employment legislation, human rights requirements, and organizational policies to real workplace situations

Experience working in complex or multi-union environments is considered an asset

Proven ability to provide strategic, balanced advice to leaders on sensitive and high-risk workplace matters, with a focus on defensibility, fairness, and practical outcomes

Experience building and maintaining effective working relationships with union representatives and supporting constructive labour-management collaboration

Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex situations, navigate ambiguity, and recommend thoughtful solutions

Demonstrated ability to influence and coach leaders to strengthen people management capability and support effective case management

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear documentation, reports, and briefing materials and communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences

Experience contributing to the development, review, or implementation of HR or labour relations policies, programs, or initiatives

Experience analyzing trends, metrics, or case data to identify risks, inform decision-making, and support continuous improvement

Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment

Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with care and sound judgment

Experience developing or delivering training related to employee relations, labour relations, or workplace policies is considered an asset

Experience mentoring or supporting the development of HR colleagues is considered an asset

Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities, demonstrating strong adaptability, sound judgment, and comfort navigating ambiguity

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and continuous learning, with the ability to apply inclusive practices and a growth mindset to evolving workplace challenges

WHAT WE OFFER

Comprehensive benefits coverage:

For permanent and full-time contract positions (conditions apply), enjoy paid benefits for individuals and families, a health spending account, and an Employee Assistance Program

Worry-free retirement savings:

With our pension plan, you benefit from an employer-matched Defined Benefit contribution plan, which provides predictable lifetime retirement income, survivor benefits, and early retirement options without the stress of investment decisions

Support for new parents:

Enjoy a parental leave top-up to 95 percent of your salary for 17 weeks, helping you balance work and family life

Perks:

Free ROM membership for permanent full-time and part-time staff, plus discounts to over 200 attractions through Attractions Ontario

And more!

VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION Join us to learn more about the Manager, Employee & Labour Relations role, the Human Resources team, and what it’s like to work at ROM. This session is a great opportunity to hear more about the position, ask questions, and gain insights into the impact this role will have across the organization.

You’ll hear directly from members of the HR team about the role’s scope, current priorities, and the impact this position will have across the organization.

Date: March 10, 2026 Time: 12:30 PM Location: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)

To register, please sign up here: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Space is limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot. Attendance is optional and not required to apply.

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

START DATE: April 2026

OPEN DATE: February 27, 2026

CLOSE DATE: March 15, 2026

STATUS: Full-time Permanent

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-Union

EXPECTED COMPENSATION: $99,788–$117,398

SCHEDULE: 35 hours weekly

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Six (6) months

LOCATION (onsite): Toronto, ON

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS

Initial conversation:

A 30-minute virtual conversation with a Recruiter to discuss your interest in the role and ROM and how you can make an impact

First interview:

A 1-hour in-person or virtual interview with the Hiring Manager and a member of the HR team. This in-depth interview will focus on your skills and how they align with the team's and ROM's needs

Second interview:

A 1-hour in-person meeting with the Hiring Manager and relevant team members. You may be asked to present a pre-assigned case study and discuss...