Disability Management Consultant

Major Job Functions: 

• Manage longer‑duration and complex occupational and non‑occupational disability files—including STD, LTD, workplace injuries, alcohol and drug‑related cases, accommodation requests, modified work, and other medical leaves—from initiation to resolution, ensuring timely and effective communication with all stakeholders.
• Provide consultation and education on disability processes and relevant legislation (privacy, Duty to Accommodate, workers’ compensation, etc.).
• Develop, update, and recommend improvements to procedures, policies, and best practices; identify gaps and propose solutions.
• Participate in and lead project work as required.
• Collaborate with the STD/LTD administrator to ensure accurate and consistent application of plan provisions and standard operating guidelines.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with provincial workers’ compensation bodies to ensure legislative compliance.
• Provide expert consultation to HR, Environment, Health & Safety, Operations, and other partners on disability‑related matters including Duty to Accommodate, WCB, Human Rights, Performance Management, Workplace Accommodation, Alcohol and Drug, and Attendance Management.
• Apply privacy legislation appropriately, ensuring confidential information is managed and released correctly.
• Resolve disability files while balancing the needs of all stakeholders and organizational requirements.
• Consider financial impacts and provide fiscally responsible recommendations.
• Assess the need, effectiveness, and cost‑benefit of Independent Medical Evaluations, Functional Capacity Evaluations, and Worksite Assessments.
• Engage in and influence difficult conversations to drive solutions and resolution.
• Make timely decisions while balancing analysis with stakeholder needs.
• Quickly synthesize information from multiple sources to make logical, informed recommendations.
• Demonstrate a collaborative, customer‑service‑focused approach.
• Communicate facts, policies, and procedures diplomatically while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ensure efficient and effective management of leave and return‑to‑work programs.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and compliant case files; review and release files appropriately upon employee request.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with vendors, monitor contract compliance, and escalate concerns when necessary.

Mandatory (Must-Have) Skills: 

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field
• Minimum 7 years of broad disability management experience
• Professional designation and/or industry specific training
• Experience in a unionized environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of disability management principles and best practices
• Proficient in MS Office applications and internal systems
• Strong file‑management skills, ensuring accurate, confidential, and secure documentation
• Ability to interpret medical reporting related to work restrictions and develop medical questionnaires when needed to confirm fitness for work and identify restrictions/limitations
• Identify and confirm work-related functional limitations or restrictions and incorporate them into a return-to-work plan while working collaboratively with the employee and leader, union and HR
• Coaching, training, and mentoring skills, including the ability to guide team members, HR peers, and leaders and escalate issues appropriately
• Conflict resolution - focus on interest-based outcomes, facilitating/participate in difficult discussions, identify roles and follow up actions
• Ability to provide information to LR/Legal and prepare written responses for grievances, WCB claim appeals/cost‑relief requests, and information requests from external parties (lawyers, insurance companies, Human Rights bodies, etc.).

Preferred (Non-Mandatory) Skills:

• Understanding of and ability to promote employee health through early intervention initiatives and modified work opportunities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Standard Operating Guidelines (Sun Life), STD plan administration, WCB legislation and procedures, and specialized services such as GreenShield.
• Knowledge of Alcohol and Drug Policy, testing requirements, and expertise in managing substance‑use‑related disability files, including assessments, treatment coordination, and collaborative return‑to‑work planning.
• Understanding of leave and disability processes and the role of external service providers, including WCB.
• Strong understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Human Resources, Environment, Health & Safety, line management, and employees, with the ability to collaborate and shift tasks appropriately.

 Soft Skills:

• Ability to develop and maintain credible working relationships with internal stakeholders (employees, leaders, HR peers) and external service providers while ensuring compliance with service contracts.
• Advanced communication skills, including clear expectation‑setting, interpersonal communication, negotiation, problem‑solving, and analytical abilities; strong written and verbal communication is essential.
• Ability to review, develop, and continuously improve best practices, procedures, and policies.
• Experience contributing to or leading project work.