Manager, People and Culture

ABC Head Start Society; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, life & AD&D

RRSP contributions

Employee Assistance Program

Professional development support

Job summary

ABC Head Start Society seeks a strategic People & Culture leader to integrate HR with health & safety programs, fostering a high-performing, inclusive workplace. You will oversee recruitment, development, performance management, compensation, and safety initiatives to support staff and families.

We value trauma-informed approaches, collaboration with leadership, and strong governance. This role emphasizes belonging, growth, and compliant operations across multiple locations serving Edmonton and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field with 7–10 years of progressive HR experience.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and occupational health & safety.
• Experience with performance management, employee relations, and organizational development.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: champion mission, vision, and values in operations and decisions.
• Oversee People & Culture: plan, organize, and lead HR and health & safety policies.
• Talent management: recruitment, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Culture: foster inclusion, engagement, and belonging across the organization.
• Compensation & policy: oversee compensation frameworks, benefits, and policy updates.
• Budget & resources: manage departmental budget and optimize resource use.
• Health & safety: lead health and safety programs and incidents management.
• Trauma-informed practices: apply trauma-informed approaches with children, families, and staff.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Strategic planning

Communication

People & culture

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Job description

ABC Head Start Society has been a vital part of Edmonton communities for nearly 40 years. Founded in 1985 by Aleda Patterson as “Accessing for Better Care (ABC),” the program began in response to public health nurses identifying children whose social and academic development was delayed due to limited resources. Initially serving 10 families, the program aimed to bridge learning gaps for children and enhance parenting skills.

Within a year, the program expanded to serve 30 families, with an interdisciplinary team including a teacher, speech-language pathologist, and home educators. In 1987, a second site opened, and the team continued to grow. In 1991, ABC Head Start became a society with a staff of 14.

Today, ABC Head Start Society has grown to serve over 400 children and their families each year across multiple locations in the Capital Region.

Their mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of background or ability, has an equal opportunity to thrive. They serve families facing financial, social, and developmental challenges, offering a holistic approach that integrates early learning with health, nutrition, and family support services.

They work closely with families, educators, and community partners to create a nurturing and supportive environment for children. Their diverse and dedicated team is passionate about fostering growth and resilience, empowering families, and building stronger communities.

At ABC Head Start Society, they believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life, and they are committed to making that vision a reality.

ABC Head Start Society provides comprehensive early childhood education and family support programs for children aged 3–5 who may need additional developmental support. Services focus on preparing children for kindergarten by supporting their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through play-based learning and individualized programming.

They deliver integrated services that combine:

• Early learning and classroom-based education.
• Developmental support (e.g., speech and language, individualized plans).
• Health and nutrition support.
• Family engagement and parent support programs.

MISSION – Raising families out of poverty and helping children harness their superpowers, conquer hardships, and live their best life.

VISION – All children have equal access to a full and successful life.

VALUES – Their work is grounded in the values of growth, integrity, belonging, collaboration, and empowerment. They believe in nurturing the potential of every child, family, and team member through continuous learning and development. They act with honesty and respect, creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels they belong. Through strong collaboration with colleagues, families, and community partners, they build meaningful connections and shared success. Above all, they strive to empower others-providing the tools, support, and confidence needed to overcome challenges and achieve their fullest potential.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Manager, People & Culture, is responsible for leading and integrating human resources and health & safety strategies to support a high-performing, inclusive, and compliant workplace. This role oversees recruitment, talent development, performance management, employee engagement, compensation and benefits, and occupational health and safety programs.

The Manager, People and Culture partners with leadership to foster a culture grounded in empowerment, growth, collaboration, integrity, and belonging while ensuring compliance with all applicable legislation and organizational policies.

About the Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and values-driven People & Culture leader who is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive, and high-performing workplaces that positively impact children and families. They bring strong strategic HR leadership experience combined with a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to working with employees, families, and community partners. This individual is a confident advisor and coach who can build trust across all levels of the organization while balancing operational excellence with empathy and integrity. They thrive in dynamic environments, are highly skilled in employee relations, organizational development, health and safety, and workforce planning, and are committed to fostering a culture of belonging, empowerment, and continuous growth. The successful candidate is resilient, adaptable and motivated by meaningful work that contributes to strengthening families and helping children reach their full potential.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values in daily operations and decision-making.
• Plan, organize, and lead the People & Culture function.
• Develop and implement HR and Health & Safety policies and processes, in alignment with organizational goals.
• Identify workforce trends, risks, and opportunities and provide proactive solutions.
• Develop and monitor key HR metrics and performance indicators.
• Facilitate community presence and engagement, fostering partnerships and increasing awareness of agency needs.
• Participate on the leadership team to help set agency standards and strategic priorities.
• Acts as a key resource the organization’s Board Human Resources Committee, reporting on key metrics, performance indicators and workforce trends, risks and opportunities.

Talent and Performance Management

• Oversee recruitment, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Lead performance management processes, including coaching leaders on feedback and development.
• Support leadership with employee relations, investigations, and conflict resolution.

Culture and Employee Experience

• Foster a culture of inclusion, engagement, and belonging.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives (surveys, feedback, retention strategies).
• Ensure programs align with organizational values and mission.

Compensation, Benefits and Policy Oversight

• Oversee compensation frameworks and benefits programs.
• Ensure policies and procedures are current and compliant.
• Provide guidance on employment legislation and best practices.

Budget and Resource Management

• Collaborate with Finance to develop and manage departmental budget.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources in alignment with organizational priorities.
• Approve expenditures within delegated authority and ensure all purchasing aligns with agency policies and procedures.
• Monitor spending trends and identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
• Support leaders in understanding staffing models and resource allocation decisions that align with service delivery needs.

Health and Safety Leadership

• Lead the organizational health and safety program.
• Oversee the Joint Health & Safety Committee.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
• Provide oversight of incident investigations and WCB case management.
• Provide supervision, coaching, and development to People & Culture team members.
• Foster collaboration, clarity of roles, and accountability across the team.
• Build leadership capacity across the organization through mentorship and guidance.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-involvement work environment that supports staff well-being and engagement.

Trauma-Informed Practice (How they take care of their internal team)

• Understand how trauma impacts child development, behaviour, and learning, and apply this knowledge to support emotional regulation and engagement.
• Build safe predictable and trusting relationships with children and families to foster a sense of security, connection and belonging.
• Demonstrate compassion, cultural awareness, and non-judgement in all interactions, respecting diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Create emotionally and physically safe spaces using de-escalation techniques and proactive strategies tailored to individual needs.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams and families, maintain professional boundaries, and engage in ongoing learning to enhance trauma-informed practices.

Why You Will Love Working Here

They are not just another workplace. They are a supportive, mission driven community that cares deeply about their staff and the families we serve. Here is what you can look forward to:

• Work-life balance: More time to focus on what really matters, your well-being and the kids in your care.
• A culture of growth: Whether it’s professional development workshops, mentorship, or opportunities for career advancement, they help you grow as a professional and as a person.
• Supportive environment: They lift each other up. You will work with a team that values collaboration, compassion, and care.
• Making a difference: The impact you’ll have on the lives of all vulnerable children and their families will be more rewarding than you can imagine.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and occupational health & safety.
• Experience in performance management, employee relations, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management and resource planning.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience working with vulnerable children and their families is an asset.
• Valid driver’s license and a vehicle required.
• Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation is an asset.
• Certification in Safe Management, SCERTS, or Flight (preferred or willingness to obtain).
• Training and experience in trauma-informed practices is an asset.

Conditions of Employment

The final candidate will be required to complete and obtain clear Child Intervention and Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening within 60 days of employment.

ABC Head Start Society is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. They encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from Indigenous communities, racialized groups, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and other equity deserving groups.

Compensation

The salary range is, $75,000.00 – $95,000.00/per annum, commensurate on experience, education, and qualifications.

• Group health, dental, life and AD&D coverage.
• RRSP contributions and health spending after one year of employment.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Professional support funding for ongoing professional development and assistance to offset the costs.