Director of Human Resources

Stautw; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Tsawout is seeking a Director of Human Resources to lead strategic HR initiatives and governance while ensuring culturally safe, trauma-informed practices across the Nation. This executive role reports to the Executive Director and sits on the senior leadership team.

You will drive workforce planning, leadership development, and employee engagement, aligning HR with governance priorities and applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Business Admin degree with HR specialization; CPHR preferred.
• 5+ years progressive HR experience; 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of federal/provincial employment laws and occupational health & safety requirements.
• Experience working with First Nations; cultural safety and trauma-informed practice are assets.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategy, annual priorities, and multi-year roadmap aligned with Chief and Council direction.
• Develop equitable, trauma-informed HR governance, policies, and decision standards compliant with legislation.
• Provide strategic advice on workforce strategy, organizational design, labour and employment risk, and HR trends.
• Translate strategy into measurable programs and monitor progress through metrics and reporting.
• Oversee end-to-end HR services: recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, HR records/systems, and offboarding.
• Lead employee listening and feedback activities and translate insights into improvements.
• Champion a respectful, inclusive workplace culture reflecting SȾÁUTW̱ values and reconciliation.
• Lead learning and development, onboarding, leadership development, and core workplace learning.

Skills

Leadership & team mgmt

Strategic planning

Communication & facilitation

Confidentiality & ethics

Cultural safety awareness

Education

Business Admin degree (HR)

CPHR preferred

BC Driver’s License

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

POSITION: Director of Human Resources
HOURS OF WORK: Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
WAGE RANGE: $115,000 annually

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic, operational, and culturally grounded leadership for all HR functions at SȾÁUTW̱ First Nation. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, this role leads HR strategy, policy, and service delivery to strengthen organizational capacity through workforce planning, leadership development, and employee engagement. The Director ensures HR practices are aligned with SȾÁUTW̱ values, governance priorities, and applicable legislation, and promotes culturally safe, trauma-informed, and equitable approaches that uphold the dignity, well-being, and professional growth of all employees.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic HR Leadership & Governance

• Lead the Nation’s HR strategy, annual priorities, and multi-year roadmap aligned with Chief and Council direction and organizational goals.
• Establish culturally grounded, equitable, trauma-informed HR governance, policies, and decision standards compliant with applicable legislation.
• Provide strategic advice on workforce strategy, organizational design, labour and employment risk, and emerging HR trends.
• Translate strategy into measurable programs and outcomes; monitor progress through metrics and regular reporting.

HR Operations & Employee Relations

• Oversee end-to-end HR services: recruitment and onboarding, performance management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, HR records/systems, and offboarding.
• Support leaders on complex people matters, ensuring fair, timely, and well-documented resolution of concerns and performance issues.
• Direct and/or oversee investigations and complaint/appeal processes using impartial, culturally safe, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Lead employee listening and feedback activities and translate insights into practical improvements.
• Champion a respectful, inclusive workplace culture that reflects SȾÁUTW̱ values and advances reconciliation.
• Lead learning and development, including onboarding/orientation, leadership development, and core workplace learning.
• Provide oversight for occupational health and safety programs and ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.

Workforce Planning, Budget & Team Leadership

• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and role/job architecture to build organizational capacity and continuity.
• Develop and manage the HR budget; support labour cost forecasting and audit-ready reporting.
• Lead and develop HR staff; establish service standards, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee HR communications, including internal updates and HR content on the Nation website.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Business Administration degree, with specialization in Human Resources
• CPHR preferred, or willing to obtain.
• 5+ years progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in a leadership/management role.
• Demonstrated leadership across HR planning, policy, and service delivery (recruitment, performance, employee relations, compensation/benefits, HR systems, and organizational design).
• Strong knowledge of relevant federal/provincial employment legislation and occupational health and safety requirements.
• Advanced employee relations skills (investigations, progressive discipline, complaint/appeal processes) with strong judgment and confidentiality.
• Experience working with First Nations required; cultural safety, lateral violence awareness, and trauma-informed practice are assets.
• Strong communication, coaching, facilitation, and consultative skills; ability to support leaders at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint; valid BC Driver’s License; able to provide a clear Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector).

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office-based environment with regular use of computer systems and office equipment.
• Extended periods of sitting and/or standing.
• Occasional travel for meetings, training, and community engagement.

OTHER FACTORS

Personal Attributes

Maintains strict confidentiality in performing their duties and demonstrates the following personal attributes: Respect, Empathy, Strength, Pride and Equality.