People & Culture Business Partner

Position Summary
Are you an experienced human resources professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with practical, hands-on support? RDP is seeking a People and Culture Business Partner to provide trusted advice and comprehensive People and Culture support to academic and administrative leaders across the institution.

Reporting to the Manager, People Advisory and Partnership Team, the People and Culture Business Partner works closely with assigned client groups, People and Culture colleagues, and union and association partners to develop responsive solutions aligned with RDP’s strategic priorities. The role provides guidance across employee and labour relations, talent acquisition and management, workforce planning, learning and development, change management, employee engagement, disability management, and organizational effectiveness.

This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative and solutions-focused HR professional who builds trusted relationships, exercises sound judgment, and is energized by supporting leaders and employees through complex workplace matters and organizational change.

This position has the ability to work in a hybrid environment with scheduled days on campus.

Position Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic People and Culture partner to assigned client groups, providing practical consultation, coaching, and operational support aligned with institutional priorities, legislation, collective agreements, policies, and best practices.
• Act as a first point of contact for employee and labour relations matters, supporting early resolution, mediation, performance and attendance management, documentation, preliminary fact-finding, grievance responses, and other workplace concerns.
• Guide full-cycle talent acquisition and talent management activities, including senior-level recruitment, inclusive selection practices, employment contracts, retention strategies, succession planning, and employee development.
• Support effective performance management practices by helping leaders establish clear expectations, conduct meaningful evaluations, address performance concerns, and navigate disciplinary processes.
• Collaborate with Campus Health and Wellbeing, Payroll, Benefits, leaders, and employees to support disability claims, workplace accommodations, return-to-work planning, and operational continuity during employee absences.
• Partner with leaders on workforce planning, organizational design, restructuring, position changes, and position abolishment, incorporating relevant workforce data and labour relations considerations.
• Provide preliminary guidance on compensation, job descriptions, job information questionnaires, and classification inquiries in collaboration with the Manager, Compensation, Benefits and Payroll Services and the Job Evaluation Specialist.
• Lead or contribute to strategic People and Culture projects, change management initiatives, employee engagement activities, communication plans, policy development, and process improvements.
• Build collaborative relationships across RDP, promote an inclusive and positive workplace culture, and use research, data, and emerging HR practices to recommend responsive, sustainable solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Management, Business, Social Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation.
• Minimum of five years of experience as a human resources generalist in a complex work environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of broad human resources experience that includes employee and labour relations, talent acquisition and retention, performance management, talent management, compensation and classification, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working strategically in a unionized environment.
• Experience supporting disability claims, workplace accommodations, and return-to-work processes.
• Human resources experience within a post-secondary institution.

Benefits and Compensation Information

Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee & Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to Institution closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays.

Eligibility to access the above-mentioned benefits is dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and Conditions of Employment and related RDP policies.

Desired Start Date
January 4, 2026

Hours of work
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Posting Close Date
November 23, 2026

Note to Applicant
Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.
To enrich the intellectual, economic, cultural, and social development of Central Alberta, we value the contributions of individuals with diverse perspectives and experiences. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, individuals of all sexual orientations, and persons of any gender identity or expression.
Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected].
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.