Director, Human Resources

Dalhousie University; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Canada is seeking a Director of Human Resources to oversee the HR portfolio within the Faculty of Medicine. This role involves strategic leadership, managing HR services, and supporting faculty and staff. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and at least seven years of HR experience. The position offers a hybrid work model based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and values diverse staff contributions to equity and inclusion initiatives.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension plan

Health and dental plans

Health spending account

Employee assistance program

Tuition assistance program

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources.
• Proven sound judgement in HR issues.
• Ability to manage large portfolios while balancing competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Resolve faculty/staff labour relations issues.
• Lead HR projects and policy development.
• Oversee recruitment and appointment processes.
• Direct supervision of HR Advisors.
• Collaborate on professional development sessions.

Skills

Relationship-building

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving ability

Management skills

Leadership skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in Business Administration or Public Administration

Job description

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

The Faculty of Medicine offers a distributed medical education program and maintains a close partnership with all teaching sites for three core interrelated activities – education, research and clinical care. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Human Resources (HR) is responsible for strategic leadership and managerial oversight of the Faculty of Medicine’s HR portfolio. This expansive portfolio is responsible for all faculty and staff HR services, HR planning, policy, data and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to and resolve various individual faculty/staff and departmental labour relations issues. Utilize University and Faculty programs in order to provide resources, guidance and support to employees/appointees, supervisors, department heads and assistant/associate deans.
• Lead special projects relating to HR, Operations & Policy, or other, at the Faculty or University levels. As a key contributor to the FoM leaders, develop and review policies, procedures and guidelines in support of our strategic and EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) objectives.
• Oversee and direct the review and search processes for academic leadership positions, the recruitment and appointment of clinical and basic science faculty, as well as the annual career development and the tenure and promotion processes.
• Provide direction regarding the recruitment and appointment processes for staff positions and oversee the collection, monitoring and reporting of HR data for various ad hoc and routine purposes.
• Work in collaboration with internal and external faculty and leadership development resources, plan and/or facilitate workshops and professional development sessions for academic leaders.
• Provide direct supervision to the HR Advisors and the HR Coordinator.

Note

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in relevant field such as Business Administration (Human Resources) or Public Administration, plus at least seven years’ of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication (verbal, written and presentation) skills.
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving ability with proven sound judgement.
• Management and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large portfolios and balance competing priorities.

Assets

• CPHR designation or an equivalent HR related certification.
• Experience in a university setting.

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies, in particular:

• Self-Awareness & Professionalism
• Respect & Inclusion
• Knowledge & Thinking Skills
• Thinking and Acting Strategically
• Relationship Building

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity‑deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity‑deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter