Human Resources Lead

City of Victoria BC; Victoria; Hybrid; CAD 128,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Earned days off (EDO)

Job summary

The City of Victoria seeks a Human Resources Lead reporting to the Manager, Human Resources. This senior role provides day-to-day leadership, technical guidance, coaching, and operational support across HR, ensuring consistent application of policies, agreements, and organizational objectives.

You will mentor HR staff, support cross‑functional teams, influence workforce planning, recruitment, classification, and compensation, and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic municipal setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including significant experience in employee and labour relations, recruitment, classification, compensation, organizational development, or HR operations.
• CPHR designation is required.
• Experience operating in a unionized environment and interpreting collective agreements.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, human rights, labour relations principles, and HR best practices.
• Ability to influence, coach, and build effective working relationships at all levels of an organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and technical support to HR teams.
• Serve as a senior resource for complex employee, labour relations, recruitment, classification, compensation, and organizational matters.
• Promote consistency in the interpretation and application of legislation, collective agreements, policies, procedures, and HR practices.
• Support knowledge-sharing, team development, and continuous learning across the HR function.
• Lead HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives across People and Culture.
• Mentor and coach HR team members and act as a senior resource for cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Facilitation

Conflict resolution

Decision making

Education

Degree in HR Management / Business Administration / Public Administration

CPHR designation

Tools

Microsoft 365

HRIS

Job description

Work schedule: Monday to Friday ( 35 hour work week) Continuous Term – (up to 24 months)

Salary: Pay Band 6 ($127,530.972 to $150,035.55)

Employee Group: This is an Exempt position

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work from Home

The successful candidate for this posting may be eligible for participation in a hybrid, work from home arrangement in alignment with the City’s Work from Home Policy. Such arrangements are determined with each employee and subject to change based on operational needs and policy direction.

EDO

The successful candidate may be eligible for earned days off, earning up to two days per month in recognition of time worked beyond core operational hours. Such arrangements are subject to change based on operational needs.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Human Resources, the Human Resources Lead is a senior professional role that provides day-to-day leadership, technical expertise, coaching, and operational guidance across the Human Resources function. The Human Resources Lead supports Human Resources Business Partners, Human Resources Operations Advisors, and Talent Acquisition Specialists, ensuring consistent service delivery, application of policies, practices and collective agreements, and alignment with organizational objectives. The Talent Acquisition team reports directly into the HR Lead.

As a subject matter expert, the Human Resources Lead serves as a key resource for complex and sensitive human resources matters, provides mentorship and coaching to HR team members, supports cross-functional collaboration, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives across People and Culture. While not a formal supervisory position, the Human Resources Lead provides functional leadership and acts as a senior resource to support the effective delivery of HR services and programs.

Major Accountabilities

Functional Leadership and Team Support

• Provides day-to-day guidance, mentorship, and technical support to Human Resources Business Partners, Human Resources Operations Advisors, and Talent Acquisition Specialists.
• Serves as a senior resource for complex employee, labour relations, recruitment, classification, compensation, and organizational matters.
• Promotes consistency in the interpretation and application of legislation, collective agreements, policies, procedures, and HR practices.
• Supports knowledge-sharing, team development, and continuous learning across the HR function.
• Reviews and provides feedback on recommendations, documentation, reports, correspondence, and other HR deliverables.
• Assists in prioritizing workload and coordinating activities across the HR team to support operational requirements.
• Acts as a resource during periods of significant workload, organizational change, or complex case management.

Human Resources Advisory Services

• Provides expert advice and consultation on employee relations, performance management, attendance management, accommodation, workplace investigations, organizational design, classification, compensation, and policy interpretation.
• Supports HR team members in addressing complex workplace issues and developing practical solutions.
• Assists in the development of HR strategies and recommendations for leaders.
• Reviews emerging issues and trends and recommends appropriate courses of action.
• Supports risk assessment and mitigation related to human resources matters.

Talent Acquisition and Workforce Planning Support

• Provides subject matter expertise and guidance on recruitment, selection, workforce planning, and talent management practices.
• Supports Talent Acquisition Specialists in developing recruitment strategies for difficult-to-fill or specialized positions.
• Reviews recruitment processes and practices to ensure consistency, equity, and compliance.
• Assists with workforce planning initiatives, succession planning, and organizational development activities.

Classification, Compensation And Organizational Design

• Provides technical expertise related to classification, job evaluation, organizational design, and compensation administration.
• Supports the review of new and revised positions and provides guidance on job evaluation methodologies.
• Participates in or chairs job evaluation committees as required.
• Reviews organizational structures and provides recommendations to support operational effectiveness and internal equity.
• Ensures consistency in the application of classification plans and compensation practices.

Human Resources Operations and Systems

• Provides guidance and support regarding HR systems, reporting, and workforce analytics.
• Collaborates with Human Resources Operations Advisors to identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and service enhancement.
• Supports the implementation of new HR programs, systems, and initiatives.
• Reviews processes and workflows to improve efficiency, compliance, and customer service.
• Assists with the interpretation and analysis of workforce metrics and organizational trends.

Labour and Employee Relations Support

• Provides senior-level guidance on collective agreement interpretation, policy application, and employee relations matters.
• Supports the development of strategies related to grievances, investigations, disciplinary processes, and workplace conflict resolution.
• Assists HR team members in preparing documentation, recommendations, and responses related to employee and labour relations matters.
• Collaborates with Human Resources Business Partners and leaders to promote proactive employee relations practices.

Continuous Improvement and Strategic Initiatives

• Leads or participates in cross-functional HR projects and organizational initiatives.
• Identifies opportunities to improve HR programs, processes, tools, and service delivery models.
• Assists with policy development, program implementation, and change management initiatives.
• Contributes to departmental planning and the achievement of strategic People and Culture objectives.
• Promotes a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including significant experience in employee and labour relations, recruitment, classification, compensation, organizational development, or HR operations.
• Demonstrated experience providing advice, coaching, and functional leadership to HR professionals.
• Experience operating in a unionized environment and interpreting collective agreements.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, human rights, labour relations principles, and human resources best practices.
• Experience supporting organizational change, investigations, workforce planning, and employee relations matters.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and build effective working relationships at all levels of an organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, facilitation, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and HR information systems.

The City of Victoria is committed to integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces, and services. Our goal is to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve and aim to become. Individuals who are Indigenous, racialized, immigrants, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, or facing any additional barriers are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be available upon request throughout the application and selection process.