Advisor, People

Position Purpose and Summary

The People & Culture (P&C) Advisor is responsible for the execution of the P&C strategy, plan and priorities. Reporting to the Associate Director, P&C, the Advisor is responsible for providing strategic human resources and people management support, advice and consultative services in partnership with leaders and employees, enabling informed decisions in alignment with the university's mission and objectives. The Advisor builds positive working relationships with clients (faculty, staff and students) and delivers competent, timely and client-focused service. Working as part of the P&C team, the Advisor ensures the effective implementation of policies, procedures, and best practices in line with employment legislation and University strategy.

Key Areas of Accountability

People & Culture Advice & Support

• Serve as the first point of contact to the business in providing advice, problem resolution, and facilitation in the areas of talent management, employee and labour relations and performance management, ensuring early resolution and appropriate escalation
• Provide consistent, timely, and accurate advice to managers and employees on a range of P&C matters including recruitment, performance management, leaves of absence, disciplinary matters, employment contracts, etc.
• Provide advice on human resource policies, procedures, and documentation; researches, identifies and analyzes specific employee relations concerns and makes appropriate recommendations to leaders.
• Main point of contact to employees and managers for their benefits, leaves of absence, tuition benefits, etc
• Provide expertise on HR best practices to guide business stakeholders on matters such as performance management, human rights, employment standards and other labour legislation. Explore and determine innovative and creative approaches to resolving employee and labour relations issues. Partner with P&C Centres of Excellence and the Office of the Provost, where appropriate.
• Interpret and apply HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment law and university policies.
• Report claims to WorkSafe and advise Managers on occupational health and safety issues as needed. Work with Managers and WorkSafe to manage claims and support employees in an effective return to work.

Recruitment, Onboarding & Offboarding

• Partner with the business on developing talent plans, including succession planning and implementation of staffing projections, development of effective internal and external recruitment and selection procedures and the interpretation of related collective agreement obligations. Provide advice and guidance on relocation and immigration matters in order to partner with the business on the recruitment initiatives of the university.
• Work with managers to develop effective recruitment strategies to attract internal and external candidates for TWU positions.
• Support the recruitment process including shortlisting, interviewing, and conducting reference checks.
• Utilize job boards, social media, and other avenues to strategically source for talent.
• Support unique onboarding requirements for new employees such as immigration requirements, relocation, or travel and accommodation requirements.
• Onboard new employees, providing an initial People & Culture (P&C) orientation and campus wide Orientations, as applicable.
• Offboard employees, providing exit interviews, discussing benefits transition, etc. to provide a smooth and seamless departure.

P&C Projects and Initiatives

• Contributes to the planning, implementation and evaluation of P&C related projects and strategic initiatives that support organizational goals. This includes conducting research, preparing proposals, developing action plans and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in areas such as employee engagement, workforce planning, policy development, process optimization, and change management.
• Act as a key contributor on initiatives that enhance P&C service delivery, support cultural and operational transformation, or align P&C practices with institutional priorities.
• Coach managers on people management (i.e. developing others, performance management, conflict management, etc.) in collaboration with the People & Culture Leadership Team.
• Coordinate and lead projects for the P&C team in specific areas of focus, as identified in collaboration with the P&C Leadership team. This includes managing timelines, resources, stakeholder engagement, and deliverables to ensure successful project execution and alignment with departmental and university priorities.

People & Culture Team Responsibilities

• Maintain records in the HRIS system (ADP WorkforceNow).
• Encourage and support the work of P&C team members and serve as a 'backup' resource as needed.
• Continuously improve knowledge and understanding of HR issues, strategies and tools to assist P&C in achieving its development goals.

The Person

Skills and Abilities

• Proven superior relational skills, including excellent oral and written communication skills, perceptive and empathetic listener.
• Strong project management capability, and administrative skills.
• Strong computer skills including database management.
• Skilled in the use of tact, diplomacy, discretion and judgment.
• Clear, concise thinker and researcher with strong critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze complex information from multiple sources, draw evidence-based conclusions and develop sound, actionable recommendations.
• Proven ability to facilitate groups, creatively problem-solve, coach others, initiate change, and effectively implement plans of action.
• Proven ability to manage workload in a busy and challenging environment.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and build open communication and trust.
• Proven ability to prepare and deliver clear, engaging and professional presentations to a variety of audiences, including leaders, managers, and employee groups. Tailors communication style to suit the audience effectively in a way that supports understanding, decision-making and engagement.

Personal

Driven and inspired by the idea of positively impacting the various marketplaces of life through the development of godly Christian leaders by serving the Trinity Western University community.

A dedicated and mature evangelical Christian with an earnest desire to serve in family, church, work, and community. Affirm and support TWU's mission, values, Statement of Faith, and Community Covenant. Strength of character and reputation, integrity, focused. A winsome personality with a positive and friendly attitude.

Servant-Leader Way of Life:Act in a manner that exemplifies Jesus Christ in all on and off-campus contacts thereby living out the servant leadership mission of the university and contributing effectively towards achieving the institutional and Kingdom goals of the organization.

Key Internal Interactions

Reports: N/A

Reportsto: Assistant Director, People & Culture

Standards & Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree in relevant field of study required. Additional related professional or HR certification preferred such as CPHR Certification preferred.

Experience:3-5 years of related HR experience required.

Duties and responsibilities that do not constitute a major change may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of the supervisor either orally or in writing.

Updated: August 2025

Salary Classification: 8

Agreed to by: People & Culture

Benefits Of Working at TWU:

• A comprehensive benefits package which includes extended health, dental, and insurance and an RRSP matching program.
• Annual statutory holidays (14) with generous vacation accruement.
• Tuition Benefit for TWU undergraduate and graduate level courses to enhance knowledge and professional competency.
• Torch tuition scholarship for dependents of eligible employees attending TWU.
• Free access to TWU's fitness/gym facilities and the Norma Marion Alloway Library.
• Subsidized meals at the main cafeteria.
• Discounts and perks for the on-site Trinity Western Outfitters Campus Store and coffee shops, as well as shops and restaurants in Fort Langley.
• Wellness benefits (i.e., counselling, sick days, personal days, and health/wellness spending account).
• Free recreational equipment rentals (e.g., paddle boards, snowshoes, kayaks, etc.).
• Free employee parking on campus.
• Special community events throughout the year.
• Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
• A positive Christian fellowship environment.

Trinity Western University encourages applications from all eligible candidates who are able to commit to the University's mission, values, and Christian identity as articulated in its Statement of Faith and Community Covenant. We are committed to an ethic of inclusion and to the equal treatment of all persons without discrimination in accordance with human rights law.

We particularly invite applications from indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations during the application process should contact People & Culture.

Trinity Western University is located on the traditional ancestral territory of the Sto:lo people.