Director of People

Work in a purpose driven career with MaKami College, public post-secondary college that has been helping students for over 20 years with locations in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.
MaKami College offers students in-person, online, and blended programs in Massage Therapy, Health Care Aide, Business Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, and more. Rapidly growing, we are working to expand our campuses into cities across Canada, and continuously working to add programs to our course catalogue. We work with our team to grow and develop in areas they are passionate about, focusing on our MaKami Pillars - Leadership, Professionalism, Helpfulness, and Inspiration. MaKami team members are provided with many opportunities for professional career growth in a fulfilling and dynamic work environment.
The MaKami team is passionate about creating generational change through education, and we provide the tools and a safe environment for our staff to change the lives of our students and their families.
The Director of People & Culture (DPC) is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for shaping and executing a forward-thinking people strategy that supports MaKami College’s mission, values, and long-term goals.
This role goes far beyond traditional HR. The DPC will lead a team that manages all aspects of HR, talent, payroll, progression, and benefits while building the systems and culture that allow the College to thrive as a publicly funded, non-profit post-secondary institution.
We are seeking a leader who brings both experience and innovation, someone who understands the psychology of workplace behavior, builds meaningful relationships at all levels, and champions mentorship, professional growth, and organizational health. This individual will ensure HR strategy is proactive, aligned, and future-focused so that bottlenecks never rise to the President’s level.
The DPC will also audit and modernize policies, streamline practices, and guide MaKami’s transition into its evolving sector role, ensuring compliance, accountability, and excellence. Above all, this leader will embody our family culture while supporting long-term retention, aggressive and strategic recruitment, and sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a long-term people strategy aligned with MaKami’s mission, values, and institutional growth as a publicly funded, non-profit post-secondary.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team, ensuring HR strategy drives organizational effectiveness and removes operational bottlenecks.
- People & Culture Management
- Lead all aspects of HR including recruitment, employee relations, compensation, benefits, performance management, and organizational development.
- Build and maintain a culture rooted in trust, mentorship, and respect, ensuring MaKami remains a place where employees thrive long-term.
- Walk the halls, build relationships, and maintain strong visibility across all campuses and departments.
- Recruitment & Workforce Planning
- Drive strategic and aggressive recruitment initiatives to attract top talent aligned with MaKami’s culture and goals.
- Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership development to ensure continuity and growth.
- Organizational Development & Mentorship
- Champion leadership development, coaching, and mentoring programs across the organization.
- Create pathways for employee growth and progression that reflect MaKami’s values and strengthen retention.
- Policy & Compliance
- Overhaul and audit HR policies and practices to ensure compliance with legislation and alignment with best practices in non-profit post-secondary education.
- Guide the organization in a manner that proactively supports positive employee relations and avoids unnecessary external challenges.
- Employee Engagement & Wellbeing
- Enhance employee engagement through meaningful initiatives, mentorship, and recognition programs.
- Foster a culture of health, safety, and wellness across all campuses.
- Operational Excellence
- Manage the HR budget and ensure optimal use of resources.
- Oversee payroll and benefits administration, ensuring accuracy, equity, and efficiency.

Specific Accountabilities
- Lead the transformation of HR into a strategic People & Culture function that supports MaKami’s growth and sector leadership.
- Deliver high-quality recruitment outcomes to ensure strong teams and future leadership pipelines.
- Modernize and align policies with the College’s mission and evolving non-profit status.
- Ensure employee documentation, compensation, and benefits are accurate, competitive, and compliant.
- Provide monthly people strategy reports to executive leadership with insights, risks, and recommendations.

Key Success Factors
- A strategic thinker and innovator who brings fresh approaches to HR and organizational culture.
- Deep understanding of workplace psychology, behavior, and motivation, with the ability t