Director Human Rights & Business Ethics

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB); City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Director for Human Rights and Business Ethics. This leadership role involves creating strategies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion while ensuring compliance with ethical standards. The ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of experience in relevant fields and be committed to enhancing an inclusive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in labour and employment law, human rights, and ethics.
• Experience in managing complex investigations and conflict of interest processes.
• Strong ability to influence inclusive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of strategies for human rights and equity across the organization.
• Oversee compliance with the Code of Business Ethics and implement training programs.
• Provide expert advice to leadership on emerging trends in equity and ethics.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Conflict resolution

Human rights knowledge

Education

Licensed Employment or Human Rights lawyer (Ontario)

Job description

Job Summary

The Director, Human Rights and Business Ethics provides strategic leadership to embed human rights, business ethics, and equity across employee experience and organizational processes. This role creates and drives strategies that align with WSIB’s values, ensuring that ethical decision-making, fairness and accountability are integrated into all levels of operations and leadership.

By championing an inclusive, respectful and accountable workplace culture, the director ensures the effective implementation of the Code of Business Ethics, organizational policies and leading practices. The role is pivotal in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a culture where all individuals feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute to the organization’s success.

Major Responsibilities

1. Lead the development and implementation of strategies, proactive programs and risk management initiatives that uphold human rights, foster a respectful workplace, promote ethical conduct, and equity across the organization.

• Ensure people and business policies and programs meet legal and compliance requirements and advance a culture of fairness, respect and inclusion.
• Oversee the Code of Business Ethics complaints process and conflict of declarations and mitigation.
• Develop and lead strategy for improvements to Code of Business Ethics complaint, resolution and COI declaration processes
• Develop, lead and implement strategy for external legal and investigative support
• Lead complex human rights investigations and ensure procedural fairness and compliance.
• Develop and lead workplace restoration and mediation strategy, and efforts following incidents of discrimination, harassment, or related conflict.
• As the subject matter expert, make recommendations / provide advice directly to the Chief People Officer and Ethics Executive, with a high degree of autonomy on sensitive matters that have the potential risk of media visibility and litigation.

2. Lead the development and implementation of a continuous improvement program that identifies systemic risks and barriers in people processes (e.g., recruitment, performance management, succession planning) and implement equity-focused solutions.

• Design proactive strategies and measurable actions that ensure people processes and practices are equitable, fair, transparent and inclusive.
• Collaborate with external partners to advance equitable and inclusive hiring, career development, and development of Enterprise-wide Reconciliation Action plan.
• Champion accessibility and lead the development and implementation of employee accessibility strategy.

3. Team Leadership

• Lead and develop team members; ensuring employees are provided appropriate performance objectives and development plans.
• Provide guidance, ongoing coaching and feedback to direct reports.
• Collaborate with direct manager to identify, recommend and develop divisional strategy, goals and objectives in support of corporate goals and objectives.

4. Functional Leadership

• Provide expert advisory to senior leadership on emerging trends and best practices in equity, ethics, and human rights.
• Foster a culture of respect and accountability through proactive education, policy development, and both employee and leadership engagement.
• Advance inclusive leadership development practices and lead the development and implementation of learning curriculum on EDI, Human Rights, employee accessibility and Business Ethics.
• Integrate human rights and equity considerations into enterprise risk management and ESG strategies.

Job Requirements

• Licensed Employment or Human Rights lawyer (called to the bar in Ontario)
• 8+ years of progressive experience in labour and employment law, human rights, ethics, and equity, diversity and leadership roles.
• Deep knowledge of HR with experience within a unionized environment being beneficial
• Proven experience managing complex investigations, conflict of interest processes, mediation and workplace restoration.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, project leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change and influence inclusive, and accountable workplace culture.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

We respect and value the diversity of our people. We strive to create an environment where employees can be themselves and where our differences are celebrated.

We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating inclusive experiences for both our employees and prospective employees. We invite all interested individuals to apply. If you require accommodations in order to apply to this position please contact [e-mail]. If you are invited to participate in the interview or assessment process, you can advise our Recruiter of your accommodation needs at that time.

Please visit ourEDI Vision to learn more about what actions WSIB are taking to advance our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and to support all employees participating and contributing to their full potential