Associate Vice-President, Human Resources & Organizational Development

Laurentian University; Greater Sudbury; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Ontario is seeking an experienced Associate Vice-President for Human Resources & Organizational Development. This transformational role invites a strategic HR leader to modernize HR operations, support employee engagement, and lead inclusion initiatives. Candidates must have over 10 years of experience in complex environments and full bilingual fluency in English and French. The position requires on-campus presence in Sudbury, Ontario.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Collegial environment

Vibrant lifestyle in Northern Ontario

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in unionized environments.
• Demonstrated success in organizational transformation.
• A collaborative, empathetic leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and expert HR advice to the executive team.
• Lead modernizing HR operations including workforce planning.
• Drive transformation initiatives and champion inclusion.

Skills

Progressive leadership in complex environments

Organizational transformation

Policy modernization

Labour relations

Bilingual fluency in English and French

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Education

University degree in HR or related field

CHRL / CHRE designation

Job description

Associate Vice-President, Human Resources & Organizational Development

Laurentian University | Sudbury, Ontario

Laurentian University is seeking a strategic and people-focused HR leader to join its senior leadership team as Associate Vice-President, Human Resources & Organizational Development (AVP HROD) . This is a unique opportunity to play a transformational role at a bilingual, tricultural institution dedicated to academic excellence, regional impact, and inclusive community engagement in Northern Ontario.

About the Role

Reporting to the Vice-President, Finance and Administration, the AVP HROD will lead the full spectrum of human resources functions—talent acquisition, labour relations, organizational development, performance management, compensation and benefits, employee wellness, and compliance. This is a high-impact leadership role, contributing to the implementation of the University’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and a major operational transformation program. The AVP will guide the evolution of HR services toward a more modern, strategic, and service-oriented model, while supporting employee engagement, cultural renewal, and high-trust labour relations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice to the executive team on all HR and organizational development matters.
• Lead and modernize all HR operations, including workforce planning, collective bargaining, disability management, EDI, and staff engagement.
• Stabilize and strengthen the HR team, advancing a cohesive, values-aligned, and high-performing culture.
• Drive transformation initiatives, including job evaluation system implementation, HRMS modernization, and compensation planning.
• Champion inclusion, bilingualism, Indigenous reconciliation, and employee wellness across all HR programs.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is a seasoned HR executive with :

10+ years of progressive leadership in complex, unionized environments (preferablypost-secondary, healthcare, or public sector).

Demonstrated success in organizational transformation, policy modernization, and labour relations.

A collaborative, empathetic leadership style and experience leading high-performing, client-focused HR teams.

Full bilingual fluency in English and French.

A strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and Indigenous reconciliation.

A university degree in HR or a related field; CHRL / CHRE designation preferred.

Why Join Laurentian

Lead HR as a strategic pillar of the University’s transformation and renewal.

Make a lasting cultural impact in a bilingual and tricultural academic community.

Contribute meaningfully to Laurentian’s mission of preparing tomorrow’s leaders.

Enjoy a collegial environment, competitive compensation, and a vibrant lifestyle in beautiful Northern Ontario.

Location

This position is based in Sudbury, Ontario, with an on-campus presence required.

To learn more or express interest in this opportunity, please contact :

Mike Graham

Senior Executive Search Consultant, Oxford + Richmond