Director (HR Operations)

Carleton University; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 129,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Ottawa seeks a Director of HR Operations to lead initiatives in compensation, benefits, and payroll. The role demands a strong background in HR legislation and best practices, along with leadership experience. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in HR and a proven record of leading HR teams. This position offers a competitive salary with potential for significant impact within the university's community.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of governing legislation in HR.
• Proficient leadership practices and project management.
• Expertise in compensation, benefits, payroll, and HR programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR operations in compensation and benefits.
• Design and communicate Total Rewards Strategy.
• Oversee payroll, job evaluation and absence management.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of governing legislation

Leadership practices related to policy development

Expert knowledge of best practices in HR

Knowledge of university operating context

Ability to identify options for strategic program development

Operational oversight of major HR functions

Advanced knowledge of Excel

Advanced knowledge of Word

PowerPoint or presentation software

Education

Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field

Supporting professional designations

10+ years progressive experience

5+ years in management or leadership roles

Job description

Job Number: J1025-0266

Job Title: Director (HR Operations)

Job Type: Continuing Full Time

Department: Human Resources

Job Category: Human Resources

Number of Positions: 1

Date Posted (dd/mm/yyyy): 06/11/2025

Closing Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 27/11/2025

Salary (with Salary Rate): 129,997.00 - 168,997.00/Year

Employee Group: Non-Union

Salary Level: NU08

Hours Per Week: 35

Date Position Available: 01/12/2025

About Carleton University

Carleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G-7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world.

Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada’s most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university’s smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing.

At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work.

The university’s Strategic Integrated Plan 2020-2025 is an ambitious vision for the future, anchored in Carleton’s strengths and student-centric, community-engaged values.

Duties And Responsibilities

Responsible for leadership and operational expertise in compensation, benefits, pension and payroll. The position is responsible for designing, developing and communicating a Total Rewards Strategy while maintaining key employee programs and services. Provides technical advice and expertise to all levels of the university to support the University’s mission of excellence. The incumbent oversees Compensation, Job Evaluation, Pension Administration, Payroll, Benefits administration and Absence Management. In addition this role is responsible for activities related to privacy, pay equity and program audits. Incumbent will lead a team of subject matter experts in these areas.

Qualifications

The incumbent must possess the following qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of the governing legislation including, taxation, pension, employment standards, workers insurance, privacy, family law and pay equity
• Proficient with leadership practices related to policy development, financial management, program development/evaluation, risk management, project management, contract management, customer service, and human resources
• Expert knowledge of contemporary best practices in human resources with a focus on job evaluation, absence management, compensation, benefits, payroll, and pension programs; best-practices, design alternatives and delivery models.
• Knowledge of a university operating context and related human resources trends, issues, and challenges
• Ability to identify options and integrate solutions for strategic program development
• Operational oversight of major human resources functions
• Advanced knowledge of Excel, Word and PowerPoint (or other presentation software)

Education And Experience

The above is normally acquired through the completion of:

• Bachelor degree in human resources or related field
• Supporting professional designations for the areas of oversight
• Minimum of ten years progressive experience
• Minimum of five years in management or leadership roles

HR Note

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Please note that applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those applicants that are selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. Arrangements will be made to accommodate your request in a timely manner. Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions.

Health and Safety Requirements

This position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, it is possible that you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health orders, directives and/or health and safety requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all University policies and directives, including to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume.