Director People and Culture 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Commissioner, Corporate and Financial Services, the Director of People and Culture is responsible to remain abreast of the advancements in the human resources field to ensure the service provided by the City remains effective and efficient. As the division head, the Director provides strategic leadership, communication, guidance, and financial direction for the division. Corporate wide, the position is responsible to provide responsive, strategic, creative, problem-solving leadership to deal with complex issues and changing needs in a dynamic work environment. The key areas of responsibility are:  employee & labour relations; health, safety and wellness; employee benefits; compensation; position classification; recruitment; learning and development; workforce planning; Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB); and performance management.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Labour Relations & Collective Bargaining

• Lead all aspects of labour relations, including grievance resolution, respect in the workplace investigations, and HR-related legal matters.
• Serve as the City’s chief negotiator in collective bargaining, developing and implementing strategies that align with operational goals while fostering respectful relationships with union partners.
• Provide expert advice to leadership on labour relations issues, employment legislation, and workforce management strategies.

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Oversee the design and implementation of fair, equitable, and competitive compensation frameworks to attract and retain talent.
• Drive pay equity and benefits initiatives, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and compliance with legislative requirements.
• Foster transparency and trust by developing policies that support organizational goals and employee well-being.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB)

• Champion a culture of inclusion by developing and executing strategies that advance EDIB principles throughout all HR processes, programs, and initiatives.
• Lead initiatives to address systemic barriers and promote a sense of belonging for all employees, aligning with the City’s values of care, courage, and collaboration.
• Partner with leaders to embed equity into organizational decision-making and talent management processes.

Transformation & Change Management

• Spearhead workforce transformation initiatives, guiding the organization through periods of change with a focus on communication, collaboration, and engagement.
• Develop strategies for talent development, succession planning, and workforce planning to future-proof the organization.
• Act as a change leader, promoting innovation and challenging the status quo to drive continuous improvement and organizational effectiveness.

Leadership & Financial Accountability

• Provide strategic leadership and mentorship to a team of HR professionals, fostering a positive, high-performing, and inclusive work environment.
• Develop and manage the division’s annual workplan and budget, ensuring effective and efficient allocation of resources.
• Drive alignment between HR strategies, divisional priorities, and the City’s strategic plan.
   

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, or a related field.
• Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, or Industrial Relations is preferred.
• CHRL designation is considered an asset.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with significant experience in labour relations, collective bargaining, and managing in unionized environments.

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Extensive experience in labour relations and proven success in collective bargaining and conflict resolution within a unionized environment.
• Expertise in developing and implementing compensation and total rewards strategies with a focus on equity and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives, promoting systemic change and fostering a culture of respect and trust.
• Strong leadership and organizational change management experience, with the ability to drive transformation and navigate shifting priorities.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law, labour legislation, and HR best practices, with a focus on compliance and risk mitigation.
• Exceptional project management, strategic planning, and analytical skills to drive results and deliver complex initiatives.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence internal and external stakeholders through effective communication and collaboration.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience overseeing budgets and resource allocation.
• Commitment to fostering curiosity, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team and organization.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a focus on team building, facilitation, negotiation, and mediation.
• Must be and willing and able to transport yourself to City work sites as required (mileage compensated).
• Demonstrate the City’s corporate values of care, collaboration, courage and service

Leadership Competencies