Director, Human Resources & Safety

Requisition ID: 3467

Affiliation: Exempt

Position Type: Permanent Full Time

Number of Openings: 1

Bi-weekly Working Hours: 70 hours bi-weekly

Shift/Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Department: Human Resources and Safety

Job Location: Fort McMurray

Starting Salary Range*: $203,365 - $214,986

COLA: Bi-Weekly - $480

Posted (dd/mm/yyyy): 05/04/2025

Closing Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 20/04/2025

Posting Type: Internal and External

The Municipality offers a competitive compensation package, including an attractive base salary, excellent benefits, retirement plans, and more. The starting salary for this position is within the range listed above and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

General Description

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Director, Human Resources and Safety is a senior leader that provides strategic direction, vision, and oversight at a corporate level on a broad range of human resource (HR) matters; and has overall responsibility for attracting talent, developing and engaging employees, and ensuring a safe and healthy workplace.

The portfolio includes employee and labour relations, total rewards including pay services, employee wellness, safety, organizational effectiveness, talent management, employee learning and development; and advancing initiatives related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee engagement. Working in a complex and multi-union environment, the role provides expert advice to senior leadership and Council and is responsible for ensuring that HR policies and programs are developed to align with the Municipality’s goals and objectives. The Director upholds the Municipality’s organizational values and is accountable for fostering a healthy, safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Responsibilities
Leadership, Planning, and Development:

Contributes to the overall leadership and strategic direction of the Municipality as a key member of senior leadership. Interprets Council direction on strategic priorities. Develops and leads a high-performing HR and Safety management team and ensures a clear vision for success with the necessary resources to achieve it.

Provides direction and oversight for the delivery of quality HR and Safety programs to the organization. Oversees the full cycle of talent management including recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning. Leads and provides strategic guidance and resolution on complex and diverse employee and labour relations matters, including but not limited to investigations and disciplinary matters, conflict resolutions processes, multi-union collective bargaining and labour relations related issues and hearings, and organizational alignments. Develops and implements performance measures with clear objectives and goals. Leads change and continuously seeks innovative approaches to problems.

Creates positive working relationships with Council, municipal administration, employees, Union partners, and other collaborators to meet HR and Safety objectives. Participates in and leads strategic and cultural initiatives to support employee attraction, engagement, and retention. Fosters an inclusive workplace that prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and both psychological and physical safety.

Management, Financial, and Administrative:

Ensures the department is functioning as an effective business partner, and that policies, programs, and HR operations and practices are developed to align with the Municipality’s goals and objectives, as well as legislative requirements and best practices. Identifies emerging HR issues and trends and leverages collaborative partnerships to develop and implement proactive human resources strategies aligned with organizational goals. Collaborates with Corporate Services to develop and present the HR and Safety department’s annual budget for Council approval.

Organizational Support:

Guides senior leaders and Council in the areas of organizational design, collective agreements, and HR and Safety best practices. Provides guidance to CAO, senior leaders, and staff in the interpretation of HR and Safety administrative procedures, directives, policies, and best practices. Deals with highly sensitive situations and complex HR matters, in a multi-union environment. Provides sound recommendations and makes decisions to mitigate organization risk. Mentors and coaches staff on providing interpretation of strategic direction, collective agreements, and other procedures and policies.

Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Candidates Need To Show Evidence Of The Following

• Sound knowledge of employment and labour standards, human rights relating to employment, labour relations principles, collective bargaining, dispute resolution methods and proceedings, HR and Safety best practices, and municipal policies and procedures.
• Understanding of municipal government administration and the Municipal Government Act.
• Broad knowledge of current affairs, municipal, provincial, and federal politics.
• Proven ability to understand and interpret trends in a complex HR environment and provide sound and strategic recommendations.
• Experience introducing transformational change in a highly complex and evolving organization serving a rapidly changing community.
• A diplomatic and effective negotiator who works systematically towards win-win solutions, building consensus and trust.
• Ability to provide leadership and build relationships with Council and various parties including union partners, all levels of leadership, employees, and other collaborators.
• High political acumen and ability to anticipate politically sensitive issues.
• High level of emotional intelligence with ability to effectively work through difficult or challenging conversations.
• A demonstrated commitment to fostering a workplace of respect, diversity, and inclusion.
• Sound budgeting and financial planning skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, leadership, problem-solving, and group facilitation skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures, communities, and protocols.

Education And Experience

• Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Commerce, Law, Industrial Relations, or related discipline is required.
• Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation or related certificate in labour or industrial relations is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.
• Fifteen (15) years of progressive experience within various HR fields in a complex organization, with five (5) years of experience at a senior management level is required.
• Experience leading HR professionals in a unionized environment is required.
• Experience working in a public-sector environment is considered an asset.

Other Requirements

• Submission of a Criminal Record Check

Safety

As an employee of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the incumbent is responsible and accountable for knowing and working in accordance with the organization’s Occupational Health and Safety Administrative Directive. As per section 2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the incumbent shall ensure while in the employ of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the public.

This position is employed in a supervisory capacity. As such the employee is required to obtain additional safety training in accordance with municipal procedures and directives.

To apply:

Please visit our website at jobs.rmwb.ca
Current employees must apply through the internal careers site.
We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, only those individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. Late applications will not be accepted.