Bilingual Employee Relations Manager
Description
Job Title: Bilingual Employee Relations Manager
Location: Toronto, ON
UNIQLO is a leading brand of the Fast Retailing Group, one of the largest apparel retailers in the world. UNIQLO respects the individuality and lifestyle of all customers and takes pride in creating high quality, long-lasting, innovative clothing at an affordable price.
Position Overview:
Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Bilingual Employee Relations Manager will lead the development and execution of employee relations strategies, policies, and programs across UNIQLO Canada. This role serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, providing expert guidance on workplace concerns, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.
The successful candidate will proactively identify and mitigate employee relations risks, foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and ensure consistent application of policies and employment legislation. This individual will play a crucial role in supporting leaders across a multi-unit retail environment, enabling effective decision-making and driving employment engagement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
Employee Relations Leadership & Strategy:
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of employee relations policies, programs, and best practices.
- Partner with leadership to proactively identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and develop action plans to enhance the employee experience and mitigate potential issues.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to management, aligning employee relations initiatives with business objectives.
Workplace Investigations & Issue Resolution:
- Lead and manage complex employee relations matters, including investigations, grievances, and workplace concerns.
- Conduct thorough, fair, and objective fact-finding processes, ensuring adherence to company policies and legal requirements.
- Provide recommendations and oversee appropriate resolutions, including corrective and disciplinary actions.
Coaching & Advisory Support:
- Provide expert coaching and guidance to managers at all levels on employee performance, behavior, and conflict resolution.
- Support leaders in delivering effective feedback, managing performance improvement plans (PIPs), and navigating sensitive workplace situations.
- Build leadership capability through training and ongoing support in employee relations best practices.
Compliance & Risk Management:
- Interpret and apply employment legislation and company policies to ensure compliance and mitigate organizational risk.
- Maintain accurate, confidential documentation of all employee relations matters and investigations.
- Monitor organizational changes and proactively address potential employee relations implications.
Employee Engagement & Organizational Effectiveness:
- Lead initiatives to enhance employee engagement, retention, and the overall associate experience across retail locations.
- Support the design, execution, and analysis of employee engagement surveys, translating insights into actionable strategies.
- Track and analyze exit interview data and workforce trends to inform continuous improvement efforts.
HR Operations & Collaboration:
- Collaborate with the broader HR team to support key functions, including payroll, benefits, compliance, and records management.
- Contribute to cross-functional HR initiatives and projects that support organizational growth and operational excellence.
- Deliver training on key topics such as prevention, and inclusive practices.
What You Bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR experience, with a strong focus on employee relations in a multi-unit, high-volume retail environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations issues, including workplace investigations and performance management processes.
- Strong knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practices, particularly within Canada.
- Proven ability to influence and coach leaders across all levels of the organization.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling confidential information.
- Experience supporting new market or store openings is an asset.
- Bilingual proficiency (French/English) is required.
- Willingness and ability to travel across Canada as needed.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary, performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits.
- A high-visibility role with collaboration across global and regional executive teams.
- Career growth in a company that values ambition, innovation, integrity, and performance.
- A results-driven, entrepreneurial culture where your decisions drive real business impact.
- Work in a modern office which is easily accessible by public transportation.
Please note: All job postings at UNIQLO Canada Inc. are to fill existing vacancies within our organization.
Annual Salary: $98,400 - $112,000 CAD.
The salary range is based on several factors, including, but not limited to, overall experience, relevant experience, education level, certifications, applicable skills and expertise, and location of the position.
AI Usage: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make the final decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.
UNIQLO Canada is an equal opportunity employer. As an equal opportunity employer, UNIQLO Canada Inc. does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, ancestry, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, place of origin, criminal conviction, family status, gender identity or expression, Indigenous identity, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, political belief, source of income or because of any other status or condition protected by applicable law.
We sincerely appreciate the interest and enthusiasm of all applicants. While every application is carefully reviewed, only candidates whose qualifications closely match the requirements of the position will be contacted.