Senior Manager Employee Relations

Requisition ID: 246477
Join a purpose driven winning team, committed to results, in an inclusive and high-performing culture.

The Senior Manager, Employee Relations plays a critical role in fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace culture at Scotiabank. This role provides leadership and direction to an Employee Relations (ER) team, prioritizes and oversees workload for ER Managers and independently manages complex, high-risk workplace issues across an assigned portfolio. The Senior Manager, ER partners with executives, people managers and employees to resolve workplace issues and mitigate risk.

Is this role right for you? In this role you will:

• Culture & Leadership
  
  • Lead a team of skilled ER Managers to effectively support their assigned business lines, HR Business Partners and HR Heads in addressing complex workplace issues.
  • Provide guidance and support on stakeholder discussions and escalated matters to ensure timely resolution and risk mitigation.
  • Develop team capabilities in investigations, communication, problem-solving, and other critical skills. Identify training needs and deliver ongoing, objective feedback.
  • Foster an engaging, inclusive, and results-driven team environment by promoting collaboration, recognizing performance, valuing diverse perspectives, and ensuring accountability for goals.
  • Organize and deliver ER team meetings and learning sessions; lead or participate in hiring processes for ER Managers and manage annual performance and development planning.
  • Share accountability for communicating the Bank's vision, values, and business strategy.
  • Act as a champion of ScotiaBond, the Bank's Raise a Concern Program and uphold the Bank's Code of Conduct

• Case Management & Investigations
  
  • Oversee case management and workload distribution for the ER team, ensuring timely and appropriate resolution of matters.
  • Collaborate with other Senior Managers to ensure cohesive and consistent team practices.
  • Conduct formal investigations into high-risk matters (including executive-level cases) involving allegations of serious misconduct such as harassment, discrimination, violence, or breaches of the Code of Conduct.
  • Provide early resolution or mediation support for escalated cases, as appropriate.
  • Independently manage complex ER cases requiring expertise in employment law, Scotiabank policies, and global HR standards.

• Advisory & Coaching
  
  • Advise, coach, and train ER Managers and stakeholders on managing complex workplace issues.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert, providing strategic guidance and coaching to executives, people managers, and HR Business Partners on high-risk ER matters.
  • Communicate solutions clearly and concisely, considering client needs, assessing risks, and ensuring fairness and consistency in policy and practice.

• Strategic Partnerships & Insights
  
  • Support ER Managers in overseeing large-scale initiatives such as reorganizations and restructurings.
  • Identify trends and provide insights to senior leadership to inform HR strategy, talent management, and risk mitigation.
  • Recommend training opportunities for people managers and employees on ER-related topics.

• Compliance & Risk Management
  
  • Ensure case documentation meets legal and internal standards.
  • Monitor adherence to ER processes and protocols, recommending improvements as needed.
  • Challenge existing practices and propose innovative solutions to systemic issues.
  • Lead or participate in projects to drive organizational change within Employee Relations.
  • Manage team expenses and identify efficiencies to reduce costs.
  • Understand how the Bank's risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.
  • Create an environment in which their team pursues effective and efficient operations of their respective areas in accordance with Scotiabank's Values, its Code of Conduct and the Global Sales Principles, while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to and effectiveness of day-to-day business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational, compliance, AML/ATF/sanctions and conduct risk.

Do you have the skills that will enable you to succeed in this role? We'd love to work with you if you have:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Human Resources, Employment Law or another related field preferred
• 10+ years of experience in Human Resources, Employee Relations or Employment Law
• Advanced knowledge of employment law, HR policies and ER best practices
• Expertise in interviewing, negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including report writing and presentations.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering clear, concise, and empathetic communication tailored to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in providing responsive, customer-focused support to employees and leaders, ensuring timely resolution of inquiries.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with employees, leaders, and stakeholders.
• French and/or Spanish language skills are always an asset

What's in it for you?

• Operate independently with guidance from the Director, Employee Relations
• Collaborate with internal and external partners(e.g. Employment Law Group, Corporate Security, Operations, HR Partners)
• Engage in preliminary discussions with external legal counsel, under the direction of the Director, ER/LR.

Location(s): Canada : Ontario : Toronto
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets.
At Scotiabank, we value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the Bank, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternate format documents, ASL Interpreter, or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our Recruitment team know. If you require technical assistance, please click here. Candidates must apply directly online to be considered for this role. We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at Scotiabank; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.