Director, People and Culture

Are you a collaborative Human Resources leader with a passion for developing people and building inclusive workplace cultures?

Join Alma Mater Society (AMS) at Queen’s University as the Director, People and Culture! Grow your career while providing leadership, Human Resources and Organizational Development expertise to ensure the AMS programs and services provide a safe, healthy, equitable, productive and inclusive work environment for over 700 student employees, volunteers, and full-time salaried employees.

The AMS, a nonprofit corporation founded in 1858, fulfills its Vision to serve, advocate for and represent the diverse students at Queen’s University by representing their interests, offering an array of student programs, and operating student run services.

Reporting to the General Manager, and working collaboratively with the AMS Student Executive team, the Director, People and Culture, provides guidance to and/or manages Human Resources team members to ensure effective recruitment, orientation, training, performance management, compensation, change management, and health and safety programs and practices are developed and implemented. The Director, People & Culture provides legal guidance, ensures due diligence, mitigates risk, and ensures policy development and compliance to the AMS Management team and the Board of Directors as it pertains to Human Resources, workplace culture, and Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Anti-Racism (I-EDIAA).

The Director, People and Culture is primarily responsible to:

Provide leadership and direction to the Human Resources team

• Provide supervision, mentorship, guidance and support to student members and full-time salaried Human Resources team members.
• Develop short- and long-term Human Resources plans aligned with strategic and operational goals of the AMS.
• Review work priorities based on plans, align resources and supports to ensure successful implementation of the day-to-day work, especially during seasonally driven high-volume recruitment.
• Support the transitions for student employees into new roles, and those exiting the team.
• Recruit and orient new team members, identify and provide training/coaching and complete performance appraisals as required.

Develop and/or revise Human Resources programs, services & policies

• Aligned with strategic and operational plans, identify Human Resources programs, processes and services that require development and/or revision to embed AMS values, competencies and behaviours systematically.
• Develop new programs, processes, and procedures to meet stated objectives and key performance indicators, including supporting policies, change management tools, and communication vehicles.
• Identify and plan for the automation of critical Human Resources practices, such as recruitment, on boarding, mandatory training and policy compliance, and provide support and guidance throughout project implementation.
• Ensure all new or revised programs are evaluated based on stakeholder feedback, data/metrics, and from a quality improvement lens.
• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with similar work environments, professional services, and community resources to benefit and/or augment AMS human resources services and supports for employees.
• Provide Human Resources and change management expertise and support to AMS working groups, committees, and teams as required.

Provide comprehensive Human Resources guidance and advice to ensure due diligence and mitigate risk.

• Provide current, informed, and confidential guidance and advice to AMS Management and others upon request on employee relations issues as they pertain to Employment, Occupational Health & Safety, Human Rights, and related workplace legislation and regulations.
• Aligned with AMS policies, and in collaboration with AMS Management, lead and/or act as key contact in employee investigations as required.
• Review, revise and maintain employment contracts ensuring due diligence to mitigate financial, reputational, or legal risk to AMS.

Provide coaching, mentorship and leadership development programs and practices.

• Build knowledge, confidence and the skills of HR team members with scheduled opportunities to provide coaching and feedback.
• Develop or revise leadership development curricula for student managers and leaders to develop self-awareness, knowledge and skills to enhance work performance and opportunities for career development.
• Develop formal training for AMS student and salaried employees to develop coaching skills and mindsets to build a formal coaching culture.

Collaborate with, advise on, and support the Indigenization-Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access and Anti-Racism (I-EDIAA) initiatives of the AMS

• Guide, at the direction of student leadership, the implementation and strategic planning of I-EDIAA initiatives across the AMS Corporation
• In collaboration with AMS Management, lead the development and implementation of equity related legislation, specifically, employment and corporate practices and policies as identified under AODA, Ontario Human Rights, Employment Standards Act, and Pay Equity Act.
• Provide guidance and support, upon request, to AMS student leaders (e.g., within the Social Issues Commission) responsible for equity-focused advocacy and change management
• Identify systemic barriers within Human Resources programs, services, policies; identify and implement strategies to remove or mitigate their impact.

Other

Duties and responsibilities may change or vary based on operational requirements and/or as directed.

Education/Qualifications Required

• Undergraduate Degree in Human Resources, Business, or related area of study.
• Additional education/certification in Organization Development required.
• Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) required, or demonstration of near completion.
• Additional certification/education in Coaching Skills preferred.

Experience Required

• 5 years in progressively more responsible human resources management roles, preferably in a post secondary, and/or not for profit work environment.
• Experience in student led organizations is an asset.
• Experience in supporting and working with and/or lived experience within equity-deserving communities is an asset.

Working Conditions

• Comfortable office environment.
• Sitting for long periods of time in meetings or at a desk/computer.
• Flexible working hours may be required to accommodate student schedules, campus events, Board meetings and other work-related commitments.
• Must be legally able to work in Canada
• Must be willing to undergo a criminal records check

The AMS provides comprehensive health benefits, pension plan, and a safe, inclusive work environment. For more information visit our website at https://www.myams.org/.