Director of People

Be the Spark that ignites the potential in people Our YMCA is people powered. The energy, positivity and inclusivity of our employees and volunteers is the spark that helps people belong and communities shine.

Why work for the YMCA?

The YMCA of Northern Alberta is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. We are committed to helping our employees and volunteers reach their full potential and are recognized as a great place to work. We offer meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. See what you can expect working at the YMCA here.

Joining the Y means contributing to over 100 years of providing opportunities for people to shine Our Y serves tens of thousands of people each year through programs and services like health and fitness, licensed child care, day camps, mental health, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families and seniors. Learn more in our 2024–2028 strategic plan, Igniting Potential, which outlines how we are enhancing the well-being of our communities.

About the Role

The Director of People & Culture is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of our Association's human resources function, ensuring alignment with business goals and fostering a high-performing, human-centred and engaged workforce. This role oversees core HR operations while playing a key role in executing the company's people and culture strategy. The Director partners with a group of HR Business Partners and managerial leaders across the business to coach and implement best-in-class HR programs, and initiatives that support talent acquisition, employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and a culture of belonging.

Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, the Director of People & Culture will be an integral part of both the People & Culture Leadership Team and the Senior Leadership Team. We are looking for a strategic problem solver who balances people-centric approaches with business objectives, driving continuous improvement and Association success.

How you'll make a difference at our Y

Business Partnering

- Act as a trusted business partner to our leaders and HR team by providing coaching and direction on human resources related matters.
- Deliver on core HR processes across our Association, supporting managers and team members to deliver timely and effective solutions and outcomes.
- Proactively advise leaders on company policies, practices, and challenging situations.
- Build relationships across the Association to support leader and employee growth from day-to-day efforts to large scale change program enhancements (performance management, succession planning, compensation programs, employee engagement, and talent acquisition of key roles).

Succession Planning & Talent Management

- Develop and execute comprehensive succession planning strategies to ensure leadership continuity and talent retention in conjunction with General Manager's, VP's of Operations, and Chief People Officer and other applicable leadership.
- Build capability across our Association by delivering on talent acquisition plans and needs.
- Identify talent and capability gaps and solutions with the end goal of having a sustainable and generative pipeline of high-quality talent.
- Lead core talent management processes such as talent reviews, calibration and succession planning.
- Lead effective performance management processes that differentiate talent based on performance.
- Support the professional development of team members via tools such as new hire onboarding, individual development plans, career management tools, and leadership development programs.

Employee Relations

- Provide guidance and oversight for compliance activities across handbooks/policies, workers compensation, leave administration, and other legal requirements.
- Provide guidance and support to management on employee relations issues.
- Be present in operations to build relationships and maintain a pulse on the Association.
- Ensure employee relations practices are sound, compliant, and mitigate Association risk.
- Conduct workplace investigations in accordance with YMCA practices.

Culture

- Lead initiatives that shape the Association culture consistent with YMCA of Northern Alberta's strategic plan.
- Develop and deliver actions to improve culture based on employee engagement survey data.
- Provide leadership to leaders and HR Business Partners to proactively address issues and concerns; shape and cultivate leadership practices that drive a high performing and highly engaged team/culture.

HR Foundation

- Lead and implement HR strategies that support our Associations' growth and change initiatives. Work closely with the Chief People Officer to elevate the HR function and align it with YMCA of Northern Alberta's strategic goals.
- Lead HR projects and initiatives that enhance employee experience and operational efficiency.
- Develop and implement HR policies that align with legal requirements and Association goals. Ensure compliance with labour laws and company standards.
- Guide, manage, mentor, and coach the HR team to ensure success and professional development.
- Track, analyze, and report human capital data, providing insight and perspective.
- Drive continuous improvement in all aspects of HR.

What You'll Bring To the Y

We are looking for a strategic, results-oriented leader with strong business acumen and a proven ability to drive high-impact HR initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You should bring a deep understanding of employee relations, leadership development, and employee engagement, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

Qualifications:

- Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or a related field.
- Experience: 7-10 years in talent management or human resources, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
- Data-Driven: Experience using HR analytics to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.

Skills:

- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity and navigate complex organizational challenges
- Expertise in building and sustaining strong organizational cultures
- Proven ability to design and implement scalable systems and processes
- Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and influence teams at the senior leadership level

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Inclusion has power, and we take strides to create a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone can belong. Diverse teams unleash new ideas, and employees thrive in a culture that recognizes and appreciates the unique perspectives and backgrounds of others. Through our differences in how we think and act we can form innovative and effective teams and deliver Association success.

Accessibility

At the Y, inclusion is our first and most important value. We work to create spaces where everyone belongs, which means we strive to provide access and accommodation throughout the recruitment, application, and selection process. We want to create opportunities for you to confidently be your authentic self. If you would like an accommodation at any stage of the process, please reach out to hr@ymcanab.ca.

Next Steps:

If this opportunity sounds great and your expertise will shine in this role, we invite you to apply for this position online by uploading your resume and cover letter combined as one document.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and you will be contacted if yours is selected to participate in the next steps of the process. Although sometimes our process varies, you can generally expect our selection process to consist of a screening call and at least one interview. For those candidates that we'd like to bring on board, a reference check and vulnerable sector police information check will be required once an offer of employment has been extended, and as a condition of employment.

The YMCA only considers applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates who are selected for an interview.

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