Executive Officer, People and Culture

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is the largest and one of the most diverse school boards in Canada, serving approximately 235,000 students in 583 schools throughout Toronto, and more than 130,000 life-long learners in our Adult and Continuing Education programs. A talented community of staff are dedicated to enriching the lives of all students and helping them achieve success. TDSB employs approximately 42,000 individuals who build positive learning and working environments to achieve its strategic priorities.

About the Role
Reporting to the Associate Director, Organizational Transformation & Accountability, and leading a team of dedicated and experienced leaders, you are the senior executive responsible for leading the transformation of the Employee Services department into an innovative, strategic, people-oriented human resources service. Your main priority will be to implement the recommendations of a recently completed third party review, creating the organizational structure and operational processes to effectively serve a highly diverse workforce of 42,000, whose focus (directly or indirectly) is ensuring the learning and well-being of students in their care and operational effectiveness. You will build positive, respectful relationships, acting to advance Truth and Reconciliation, and ensure that the principles of Human Rights, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism are embedded in all employee processes throughout the TDSB. You will develop and execute a transformational human resources strategy, driving change management initiatives to support organizational transformation and foster a culture of continuous improvement, service excellence, innovation, and accountability. You will develop and implement effective employee relations strategies, promoting employee engagement initiatives to foster a high level of visibility for TDSB as an employer of choice.

Departmental Responsibilities:

• Establish and implement people and culture strategies and programs that effectively support TDSB's strategic priorities and achievement of overall organizational operations objectives

• Guide the department's transformation and modernization journey and collaborate effectively across TDSB and the education sector

• Design and implement an operational model and structure for the department as follow-up to the third-party review

• Establish a department strategy and action plan(s) and regularly report on progress and impact

• Develop a technology strategy and roadmap and implement enabling operational HR technology

• Assess the level of HR capabilities and close identified gaps through upskilling and design of career paths

• Identify and implement process optimization opportunities

• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure continuous improvement and quality service delivery

• Lead the employment equity initiatives in TDSB in a manner that aligns with the principles of human rights and results in a workforce that, at all levels, reflects, understands, and responds to our diverse population

• Develop and implement a new Talent Management strategy

• Provide senior leaders and other executives with strategic advice on a wide range of human resources issues

• Oversee the selection process and human resources functions for Principals, Vice-Principals, Departmental Managers, and co-lead succession planning strategies

• Maintain productive relationships with unions and associations and facilitate conflict resolution and problem solving on issues of importance

• Provide executive leadership for labour relations and bargaining activities

• Enhance and facilitate the performance management system for all categories of staff

• Lead and coordinate the work of direct reports

• Develop and present reports to the senior management team, committees, and Board of Trustees on a regular basis

• Liaise as appropriate with board members (Trustees)

• Plan and manage the departmental budget and resource allocation

• Develop and implement employment-related policies and procedures

Senior Management Team Responsibilities:

• Serve as an integral member of the Senior Management Team and work closely as a service partner with the Associate Directors and Directors

• Reinforce the TDSB's values and vision

• Assist in the implementation of the TDSB's Multi-year Strategic Plan

• Provide expert and strategic advice on human resources issues

• Report out on a Department of People and Culture: Operational Plan that drives organizational excellence and promotes best practices throughout all levels of the organization

• Communicate with the Board of Trustees as required

Candidate Profile
To be considered for the role of Executive Officer: People and Culture, you must have relevant and significant experience in the design and implementation of large-scale people, culture and change initiatives and a proven track record of innovation and impact on an organization-wide scale, including fostering and implementing Truth and Reconciliation, and a depth of understanding in Human Rights, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion. You have experience working in unionized and non-unionized environments and have strong knowledge of labour and employment law. Extensive executive management experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience is essential. School board experience is helpful but not required.

You are a champion of change and service excellence, capable of working as a cross-functional leader in an open and collaborative manner with exemplary communication skills to facilitate school board-wide development and implementation of high-performing teams. A values-driven and inclusive leader, you are comfortable being accountable for creating a positive culture that values human rights, respect, and inclusion. The successful candidate will lead within a highly diverse context, and model and demonstrate responsive and inclusive leadership in employee engagement, decision-making, and team building.

You bring strategic leadership and business acumen to develop and implement HR strategies that strengthen organizational culture and drive excellence. You are adept at labour relations, crisis management, complex problem-solving, and working collaboratively with colleagues within an environment that promotes accountability, teamwork, transparency, respect, and integrity. You are able to make bold decisions while handling contentious issues with sensitivity, confidentiality, and discretion. An innovative problem solver and systems thinker, you work well in fast-paced environments and demonstrate high credibility. As a member of a learning organization, you will demonstrate a genuine commitment to employee well-being, families and students, and a practice of professional learning to meet to meet the current demands of the role and organizational needs.

You build rapport and relationships at various levels of the organization, including various internal and external stakeholders. You motivate people and diffuse escalating situations using strong interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills, strong data analysis skills, sound judgement and sensitivity, and an inclusive approach.

Qualifications

• CHRL/CHRE designation and/or a master's or another relevant post-graduate/professional degree (considered an asset).

• Relevant and significant experience in human resources management across a broad range of HR disciplines, such as labour relations, talent management, and employee engagement.

To apply to this exciting opportunity at TDSB, submit your application to Phelps:

Application deadline: September 16th, 2024