Manager Health & Total Rewards

City of Richmond Hill; Richmond Hill; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Richmond Hill seeks a Manager, Health & Total Rewards to lead compensation, benefits, pension, disability management, retirement, recognition, and health and safety programs. This role ensures programs are competitive, sustainable, equitable, and aligned with corporate objectives.

Reporting to the Director, People & Culture, you will advise senior leaders, lead a multidisciplinary team, and partner across departments to optimize program effectiveness while ensuring legislative

Qualifications

• University degree in Human Resources Management or related discipline and substantial HR experience.
• CCP certification demonstrates compensation and benefits expertise.
• Certificate in Return to Work / Disability Management is required or preferred.
• CHRL or CHRP designation supports leadership in HR governance.
• 7+ years in Total Rewards or disability management with progressive responsibility.
• 3–5 years in a supervisory or management role, preferably in a unionized public sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead Total Rewards, disability management, pension, retirement, benefits, and recognition programs.
• Advise senior leaders on compensation, benefits, and health & safety compliance.
• Develop policies, governance frameworks, and program standards for consistency and compliance.
• Prepare strategic reports and business cases for Executive Leadership Team and Council.
• Mentor a multidisciplinary team and drive accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee vendor management for benefit providers and pension administrators.
• Lead analytics and continuous improvement to optimize program effectiveness and costs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Change management

Communication

Analytical

Education

University degree in Human Resources Management

Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)

Certificate in Return to Work / Disability Management

CHRL or CHRP designation

Tools

HRIS systems

Excel reporting

Job description

The Manager, Health &Total Rewards provides strategic leadership for the City of Richmond Hill's Total Rewards, Disability Management, and Health & Safety compliance programs. Reporting to the Director, People & Culture, this role leads the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of compensation, benefits, pension, disability management, retirement, recognition, and health and safety programs that support organizational performance, employee well-being, and legislative compliance.

As a key member of the People & Culture leadership team, the Manager develops organizational strategies, advises senior leaders, leads a multidisciplinary team, and ensures programs remain competitive, sustainable, equitable, and aligned with corporate objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of Total Rewards and Disability Management strategies aligned with corporate priorities, collective agreements, and legislative requirements.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on compensation, benefits, pension, disability management, health and safety compliance, and organizational risk.
• Develop and maintain policies, governance frameworks, and program standards that promote compliance, consistency, and operational excellence.
• Prepare strategic reports, business cases, and recommendations for Executive Leadership Team and Council.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team, fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear priorities, performance objectives, and succession planning initiatives to strengthen organizational capability.
• Build strong relationships across departments and serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and stakeholders.
• Oversee compensation, benefits, pension, retirement, and recognition programs.
• Lead compensation strategy, including market benchmarking, job evaluation, pay administration, and cost modeling.
• Ensure pension and benefits programs comply with legislative and organizational requirements while supporting attraction, retention, and employee engagement objectives.
• Provide strategic recommendations to optimize program effectiveness, sustainability, and cost efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities Cont'd

Disability Management and Health & Safety

• Lead the City's disability management framework, including WSIB, sick leave, LTD, return-to-work, and accommodation programs.
• Provide leadership on complex disability, accommodation, human rights, grievance, and arbitration matters.
• Ensure consistent, proactive case management practices that balance employee support, operational requirements, and risk mitigation.
• Partner with Corporate Health and Safety to support compliance, prevention, and workplace well-being initiatives.

Stakeholder and Vendor Management

• Lead relationships with benefit providers, consultants, disability carriers, pension administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Monitor contracts, service levels, and vendor performance to ensure value, compliance, and service excellence.
• Collaborate with HR, Labour Relations, Finance, and business leaders to support organizational and bargaining objectives.

Analytics and Continuous Improvement

• Leverage workforce and program data to inform strategic decision-making and identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead process improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, employee experience, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, collective agreements, corporate governance requirements, and best practices.

Education and Experience

• University degree in Human Resources Management or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
• Certificate in Return to Work / Disability Management
• CHRL or CHRP designation
• 7+ years progressive experience in Total Rewards, disability management, or related HR disciplines.
• Minimum of 3–5 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience in a unionized public sector environment is preferred.

Required Skills/Knowledge

Leadership Capabilities

• Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills with the ability to influence senior leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships, drive change, and lead through complexity.
• Sound judgment and professionalism when managing sensitive and high-risk employee matters.

Technical Expertise

• Advanced knowledge of compensation, benefits, pension administration, disability management, WSIB, LTD, and accommodation programs.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation, human rights obligations, occupational health and safety requirements, and collective agreement interpretation.
• Excellent analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency with HRIS systems and advanced Excel reporting and analysis tools.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Builds people and culture
• Cultivates open communication
• Demonstrates personal leadership
• Navigates and leads through complexity and change

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

TheCity of Richmond Hill is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If contacted to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation.