Manager, Appeal Services

The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety (LRWS) supports sustained economic growth and prosperity by fostering a fair and balanced employment environment that respects the rights, duties and responsibilities of employees and employers. We work with businesses, labour groups, workers and other stakeholders to foster a positive labour environment.

Middle managers have a critical role in employee engagement and the culture of our organization. In this position, your leadership will be required in translating and cascading strategic direction into operational actions contributing to the achievement of our goals. You will be responsible for delivering your own work, as well as the work of others for whom you have supervisory responsibilities.

In this position, you will:

• Lead strategy implementation by supporting the development, direction and execution of strategic planning and operational plans;
• Enable individual performance of individuals on your team, ensuring adequate resources and motivation to achieve success;
• Manage teams and relationships by creating an environment of trust, equity, and strong workplace culture;
• Facilitate collaboration by creating and maintaining effective and valuable work relationships, making connections between various programs and initiatives for organizational efficiency; and
• Manage information and administration of policies and procedures.

The Opportunity

The Injured Worker Appeal Services branch within LRWS provides advice and appeal representation services for injured workers and their dependents on claim decisions made by the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). Reporting to the Executive Director, we are seeking an inspired, industrious, and proven leader for the position of Manager of Appeal Services. This position will be responsible for providing the overall leadership, direction, outcomes, and quality services of the branch.

As Manager of Appeal Services, you will be responsible for:

• Working with the Executive Director to develop the branch operational plan and implement the plan into action while ensuring strategic and operational goals and objectives are met;
• Providing in-depth leadership, technical support, mentoring and direction to a diverse group of professionals on all substantive and procedural aspects of their work, including merit determinations, case and appeal strategies, client management strategies, and file assignments;
• Providing oversight of the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of branch services through analysis, evaluation and monitoring of branch/individual results while ensuring consistent delivery, compliance and accountability with branch standards and administrative law practices;
• Leading the successful operation of the branch by planning and implementing operational, technical, financial, and human resource management requirements;
• Developing and maintaining effective work relations with workers’ compensation staff, including management, for joint issues resolution and addressing identified trends;
• Maintaining a high level of expert knowledge regarding compensation law, administrative law, and disability management; and
• Supporting and/or leading branch special projects.

Ideal Candidate

As our ideal successful candidate, you will:

• Bring experience researching and preparing cases for decisions/submissions or appearing before tribunals/boards/commissions/appellate bodies/mediations;
• Understand the principles of natural justice and WCB’s compliance with their legal framework, policies, standards and procedures;
• Have the ability to use sound judgment and diplomacy in managing sensitive and confidential issues and analyze various case scenarios and arrive at defensible conclusions;
• Have demonstrated the ability to express and present ideas, decisions, and recommendations clearly, concisely, and respectfully, both orally and in writing;
• Have the ability to collaborate and work across teams to accomplish shared goals; and
• Have expertise in quality assurance processes to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Typically, the knowledge, skills and experience required for this position would be acquired through:

• Progressive leadership experience, including human resource management principles and practices;
• Progressively responsible experience in insurance claims, appeals and /or tribunal functions;
• Advanced training in law/administrative law, disability management, or other relevant degree; and
• A combination of education and related experience will be considered.

What We Offer

• Dynamic, challenging work for talented individuals;
• A competitive salary;
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension;
• Vacation, scheduled days off (SDO) and other types of leave;
• Inclusive work environments;
• Advancement opportunities; and
• Flexible work arrangements.