Human Resources Advisor

Location: James Admin. Bldg.

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Position Summary

As an HR Advisor, this role serves as a trusted partner to academic and administrative leaders within the VPRI. This role will be reporting to the HR manager, at first, who will be taking a maternity leave early in the contract. The incumbent will then report directly to the Director of Operations. The position provides a full range of HR services, staffing, compensation, benefits administration, organizational design and training and most importantly, labour/employee relations.

It acts primarily as a resource for managers, offering guidance on policies and collective agreements, and contribute to shaping HR initiatives that align with the unit’s goals. The incumbent will be working independently, but alongside a team of HR professionals who will require their input on conflict negotiation, change management and niche recruitment opportunities/difficulties.

The Human Resources Advisor is responsible for the effective delivery of Human Resources services to employees and managers within the VPRI. They will provide professional guidance and expertise to managers and clients, regarding labour relations, dispute resolution and grievances. The incumbent will develop and implement human resources policies and programs to maximize unit effectiveness; integrate human resources strategy into policy and planning frameworks; promote organizational effectiveness and cultural change; implement effective recruitment strategies to attract top talent. Undertake special projects as needed.

Primary Responsibilities

Provide guidance to the HR Administrator and Talent Acquisition Administrator on files (e.g. employee disputes, establishing internal protocols, interpreting the Collective Agreement, etc).

Represent the unit at Human Resources-related meetings, including Labour Relations or working committees, as required, and contribute to HR projects, working groups, and initiatives aimed at improving HR practices.

Provide professional expertise and advice to managers and directors on the application and interpretation of human resources policies and procedures, collective agreements, the handling of grievances, and institutional procedures, referring complex matters to Labour and Employee Relations as appropriate.

Work alongside Labor Advisor and Employee Relations throughout the grievance and arbitration processes.

Responsible for reviewing new position requests, re-matching, requests for hiring salaries, salary adjustments for assigned groups of employees/clients. Ensure consistent application of the various policies and internal equity within area. Conduct job audits.

Manage the performance dialogue process by providing guidance to managers and directors on documenting objectives, conducting performance discussions, addressing performance concerns, and identifying training and development needs often related to performance improvement plans.

Advise on performance issues and performance improvement plans.

Develop training, succession planning, talent management programs, and other organizational development workshops, to motivate and develop staff to their full potential.

Collaborate with the HR Benefits and Disability Management Office, and managers to lead the effective administration of disability and leave cases; assist with coordinating short- and long-term disability processes and providing information on leave entitlements.

Oversee a varied selection of HR responsibilities from the accurate implementation of performance dialogue; succession planning; as well as performance improvement plans and job abolitions.

Provide support to direct supervisor, in the preparation of budgetary planning and recommend budget allocations as it relates to staffing.

Support operational recruitment activities for the VPRI, including preparing job postings and advising management on recruitment needs, and liaising with HR central HR.

Develop objectives and make recommendations for optimization of office space.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

Experience working as a Human Resources Advisor

Manage complex employee relations matters, including workplace conflicts, grievances, investigations, and internal dispute resolution;

Lead organizational change initiatives, including position abolitions, workforce restructuring, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and organizational policies.

Fluently bilingual, English and French, spoken and written. Ability to communicate with all levels of staff in an effective and respectful manner.

Holds a recognized qualification in HR or industrial relations

Must be a CRHA member.

Ability to multitask and work on several projects at the same time, under strict deadlines while ensuring strong attention to detail.

Strong problem solving, diplomacy, and organizational skills.

Comfortable working with Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint). Experience with HR Information Systems like Workday is an asset.

Proven experience in working in a unionized environment

Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines while managing multiple, often conflicting, demands. Prior experience working as an HR Advisor (3 year+), or within McGill University (1year+), is considered a strong asset.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)

Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)

Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)

Competitive vacation policy

Two (2) personal days

Two (2) floating holidays

Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day

Paid time off over the December holiday period

Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents

Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4(qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree 3 Years Related Experience /

Annual Salary

(MPEX Grade 05) $73,470.00 - $91,840.00 - $110,210.00

Job Profile

MPEX-HRM2D - Human Resources Generalist - Professional 2

Hours per Week

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor

Human Resources & Talent Management Manager

Position End Date (If applicable)

2027-10-30

Deadline to Apply

2026-10-28

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].