Director of Human Resources

Are you passionate about building an inclusive, engaged, and thriving workforce community? Have you led collective bargaining and labour relations in a multi-unionized setting? Are you ready to lead the development and implementation of progressive Human Resources strategies? If so, the District of Squamish is seeking a highly skilled Director of Human Resources to join our growing team.

• A unique opportunity to utilize your leadership skills and management experience in one of BC's fastest-growing municipalities
• Lead a team dedicated to providing exceptional public service and enhancing the livability and sustainability of our community
• Enjoy a highly attractive annual salary plus top-notch benefits

The District of Squamish is located in the unceded traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). We offer gratitude to the Skwxwú7mesh People who have lived on these lands since time immemorial.

About the District of Squamish

The District of Squamish is a progressive and growing community with a palpable positive energy and a strong focus on the great outdoors. Our friendly, small-town setting, spectacular natural environment, and world-class recreational opportunities offer an incredible live-work-play lifestyle that few places can beat. Bike, ski, sail, run, climb, hike, and explore our thriving arts, culture, and heritage scene – in your own backyard. Use some of that time you will save on the commute for work-life balance!

Our primary objective is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our people. When possible, we promote from within, making the District a great place to grow and further your career. Having fun at work is one of our top priorities and key to having an amazing team culture. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, as well as a learning-focused organization. The opportunity to contribute to the success of our beautiful community is something we are all privileged to experience every day. We are a team of fun-loving yet highly dedicated and hardworking professionals who are committed to continuous learning, improvement, and excellence in service to our citizens.

For more information, please visit our website.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the General Manager of Corporate Services, the Director of Human Resources leads the development of Human Resources strategies that foster an inclusive, engaged, and thriving workforce community. This position is responsible for the oversight and delivery of progressive Human Resources services, ensuring they align with the District’s mission, vision, and core values. The Director of Human Resources is a key member of the senior leadership team and collaborates with leaders across the organization to assist with the planning and achievement of organizational strategy.

Key accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading the Human Resources Department by formulating and implementing departmental strategy, managing the budget, and guiding an engaged team to deliver exceptional services to a diverse workforce
• Effectively managing all aspects of labour relations and employee issues, including performance management, grievance resolution, and preparation and representation in arbitration
• Interpreting, administering, and providing decision-making expertise to all managers regarding the Collective Agreements, ensuring consistent application of contract provisions, and representing the District in Labour Management meetings as required
• Acting as the primary spokesperson for the Employer during collective bargaining; conducting research and preparing relevant support information for use in contract negotiations, and advising the CAO and other managers on negotiation strategies, as appropriate
• Researching, developing, and advocating progressive and innovative Human Resources best practices, policies, and systems; conducting research for special projects and preparing recommendations
• Cultivating and maintaining respectful and effective relationships with internal and external partners, including management, employees, unions, and community partners such as the Squamish Nation; leveraging strong relationship-building skills to drive engagement, foster trust, and cultivate a culture of collaboration and inclusivity
• Contributing to the development of corporate strategy and objectives alongside other senior leadership team members, and presenting reports on Human Resources initiatives to the senior leadership team and Council
• Taking the lead, coordinating, and actively participating in multi-disciplinary project teams and District committees
• Providing guidance and recommendations to Managers on interdepartmental matters, encompassing organizational design and development, corporate communications, customer service, and strategic planning
• Exercising leadership in the occupational health and safety and disability management programs, with a particular focus on developing training, policies, and procedures that embody best practices, comply with applicable legislation, and support employees
• Offering subject matter expertise in human resources law, providing advice, guidance, and leadership, and making ultimate decisions on all aspects of employee and labour relations when required
• Overseeing the development of strategies to attract and retain employees, as well as implementing practices that promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in the workforce by identifying and eliminating employment barriers and fostering a culture of belonging and respect for all employees
• Leading the HR team in overseeing the entire employee lifecycle and managing all programs and processes that support employee development
• Collaborating with other senior leadership team members to determine the training needs of corporate staff, including succession planning, and developing strategies to address those needs
• Supervising the development of diverse and innovative professional development opportunities that facilitate continuous learning and growth in employees' knowledge, skills, and competencies

About You

To qualify you will need a university degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Labour Law, or a related discipline; and a postgraduate degree in a related discipline. You will also have 7 years of progressive experience in a Human Resources generalist role with 5 years of senior management experience leading Human Resources in a unionized environment. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will also be considered. A CPHR designation or the ability to obtain a CPHR designation is also required. 

The following skills are essential to success in this role:

• A natural leader who embodies our core values of Connection, Integrity, Respect, and Progress, and who will mentor and inspire the Human Resources team to deliver exceptional services to a diverse workforce
• A skilled negotiator and labour relations expert who can confidently lead collective bargaining negotiations
• A strategic thinker who anticipates both challenges and opportunities for the organization, demonstrates a long-term perspective, and takes proactive action to drive success
• An HR professional with an unwavering commitment to upholding integrity in all aspects of their work
• A collaborative leader who fosters connection within the organization, building strong and respectful relationships with both internal and external partners
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a local government setting, implementing Council Strategy and corporate plans
• Proven ability to establish efficient workflow systems and lead high-performing teams
• Strong expertise in managing employee performance for both union and exempt staff
• In-depth knowledge of relevant employment legislation and regulations in British Columbia, including the Workers Compensation Act
• Comprehensive understanding of HR principles, standards, and practices, including labour relations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional approach to dealing with people
• Exceptional organizational skills to handle complex and varied workloads effectively
• Capable of working independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Proficiency in preparing narrative and statistical reports on various administrative, technical, and HR-related matters
• Experience in budget preparation and administration
• Outstanding presentation skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate effectively in diverse circumstances

What We Offer 

As a valued member of our team, you will be rewarded with a highly attractive annual salary, as well as comprehensive benefits, including:

• Excellent health and paramedical benefits package
• Generous pension plan
• 70-hour, 9-day bi-weekly work schedule (3-day weekend every second week)
• Live and work in one of the most stunning places in the province
• A flexible work-from-home arrangement may be considered in accordance with the District’s Remote Work Policy
• And many more!

If you tick all of these boxes and believe you will thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply today!

As an equitable and inclusive employer, we value diversity of people to best represent the community we serve and provide excellent services to our citizens. We strive to attract and retain passionate and talented individuals of all backgrounds, demographics, and life experiences. If you require any adjustments to enable participation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact in confidence AccessibilityHR@squamish.ca. We thank all applicants for applying.