Assistant Director, Representation

The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), the largest airline pilot union in the world and the largest non-governmental aviation safety organization in the world seeks an experienced Assistant Director, Representation for our Toronto office, located in Etobicoke.  ALPA represents more than 75,000 pilots at 43 airlines in Canada and the United States.  The Assistant Director, Representation reports to the Director, Representation and serves as an integral member of the Association’s Representation Department responsible for oversight and staff support in Canada.  In coordination with the Director, Representation, they support every Canadian pilot group in contract negotiations, implementation, and enforcement; help local pilot leaders formulate and execute strategic plans; provide labour relations advice and guidance; provide strategic and practical support for organizing; and, oversee individual pilot and pilot groups in grievances and arbitrations as well as Transport Canada (TC) proceedings.

They provide strategic advice and coordination of multidisciplinary department resources and, as such, are responsible for the integration, prioritization, and implementation of Canadian pilot group support initiatives throughout all aspects of contract negotiations, implementation, and enforcement and other strategic objectives.  This important work is accomplished through close coordination and collaboration with the Department Director, the Director ALPA Canada, ALPA Canada Officers, MEC Officers, pilot group Negotiating Committees, Association Committees, and Canadian/US staff, providing subject matter expertise as may be needed.

They are responsible for providing guidance and assistance to Representation staff based in Canada and their respective Negotiating Committees in the preparation, negotiation, implementation, and administration of collective agreements.  This includes monitoring all aspects of collective bargaining, including directly and indirectly, negotiations, mediations, strike situations, post-strike situations, mergers, bankruptcies, and especially contract interpretation and administration.

Travel required:  usually 40– 50%; sporadically 50 – 80%.

ALPA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in a safe workplace. We prohibit discrimination, harassment and harmful behaviour of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics, including Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities, as outlined in federal or provincial laws.  We highly value everyone and all are encouraged to apply, including minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Minimum Requirements:

• Legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Industrial Labour Relations (MILR), or similar advanced degree from an approved school of law required; or, the equivalent combination of education and practical experience.
• Member in good standing of a Provincial Bar.
• Fifteen (15) years of related experience in labour law and litigation required, twenty (20) or more years strongly preferred. Aviation and/or labour law experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in collective bargaining and grievance arbitration strongly preferred.
• Significant union and negotiating experience strongly preferred.
• Superior management skills and ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.
• Experience in building, mentoring, and coaching a nationwide team of professionals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, oral and written, for effective interaction with internal staff; external contacts; senior legal and aviation professionals; and, pilots.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to organize and coordinate tactics for long-term objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgement to formulate decisions and/or solve problems, under time pressure and urgent conditions.
• Knowledge of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and/or Transport Canada (TC) regulations strongly preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate mid- and long-term endeavours.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, including excellent and persuasive communication abilities.
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical and strategic thinker.
• Experience in the airline industry and/or collective bargaining a plus. At management discretion, significant and in-depth, directly applicable experience may be substituted for some of the above requirements. 
• Software: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint required. 

Physical Demands:

Note: The physical demands described herein are characteristic of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential physical activities of this position described below.

Constantly operates a computer/smartphone/tablet.  Regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move about the office and the local metropolitan area, determine what others have said or written, and converse with others and exchange accurate information.

Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach, and move about the office and travel (locally, nationally, and internationally).  Also includes occasional bending, stooping, squatting, and/or pushing and pulling or moving, e.g., to pack, unpack, and/or move cases.

Occasionally required to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve binders, books, boxes, and files up to ten (10) pounds (lbs.).  While on travel, could be responsible to move, raise, reach, and/or retrieve luggage weighing as much as 50 lbs.  (Assistance may not always be available.)       

Please apply online at https://jobs-alpa.icims.com/jobs/1474/assistant-director%2c-representation/job

ALPA offers competitive salaries with enhanced benefits, including:

• 27 days paid vacation and holidays per year plus 2 volunteer days per year;
• generous sick and bereavement leave;
• company-paid premiums for family supplemental health care (supplemental medical, dental, prescription, and vision for employee, spouse, and dependent children), life insurance, and long-term disability insurance;
• Education Assistance Program; and,
• Non-elective employer contributions of 13% made to individual RRSP account after 180 days of employment.

Relocation Not Provided.