Director of People and Culture / Directeur.trice du personnel et de la culture

Summary
The Director of People and Culture is a pivotal member of MAX’s leadership team, overseeing all Human Resources (HR) functions, including employee and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training and development, benefits management, reporting, and legal compliance.

Description
DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Our team is evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities, rolling out new tools, and expanding our programming. As Director of People and Culture, you’ll be joining a dedicated group of peers who are committed to having a meaningful impact for our friends, family, lovers, and neighbours.

MAX Ottawa has been working to improve the health and wellbeing of queer and trans men in the National Capital Region for over 20 years. As a community-based, non-profit charitable organization with a history in the HIV response, MAX is on the ground, meeting community members where they’re at, and offering social and support services, information, and referrals that meet their needs.

ABOUT THE JOB
The Director of People and Culture is a pivotal member of MAX’s leadership team, overseeing all Human Resources (HR) functions, including employee and volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training and development, benefits management, reporting, and legal compliance. This is a new role on the team, focused on ensuring the full team is supported in providing outstanding programs and services for our community. The Director is also responsible for fostering a strong organizational culture among employees and volunteers alike.

These activities are rooted in MAX’s mission, vision, and values and advance the goal of improved health outcomes among 2SGBTQ+ men and men who have sex with men—regardless of how they identify (collectively, queer men), and trans and non-binary people in the National Capital Region.

Core responsibilities:

Employee Recruitment, Onboarding, and Development

• Lead all recruitment efforts for staff, focusing on diversity and inclusion, and ensuring that hiring practices are equitable and affirm MAX’s mission and values.
• Design and implement onboarding processes that foster engagement and retention among new employees.
• Develop and manage professional development programs, including training, mentorship, and leadership development, tailored to individual and organizational needs.

Volunteer Recruitment, Onboarding, and Development

• Lead all recruitment efforts for volunteers, focusing on diversity and inclusion, and ensuring that recruitment practices are targeted to attract people whose interests align with MAX’s mission and values.
• Design and implement onboarding processes that foster engagement and retention among new and established volunteers.
• Create and deliver training programs tailored to volunteers’ roles, ensuring they are prepared to contribute effectively. Provide ongoing development opportunities for skill-building and leadership.

HR Strategy and Policy Development

• Create and implement HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with current legislation and sector best practices.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop HR strategies that support organizational goals, including workforce planning, retention, and performance management.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for employees and volunteers, addressing concerns and ensuring a supportive, responsive workplace.

Employee Culture and Engagement

• Foster a positive and inclusive organizational culture that reflects our values of social justice, queer liberation, harm reduction, and anti-oppression.
• Lead initiatives to promote employee well-being, mental health, and work-life balance.
• Plan and manage staff recognition programs, events, and activities that contribute to a cohesive and motivated team.
• Ensure the principles of the Greater Involvement and Meaningful Engagement of people living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA/MEPA) are incorporated across all of MAX’s work.
• Ensure appropriate community engagement processes are incorporated across relevant parts of MAX’s work.

Volunteer Management

• Foster a positive volunteer experience through recognition programs, regular communication, and opportunities for meaningful engagement. Develop initiatives to retain long-term volunteers and nurture a sense of belonging within the organization.
• Monitor volunteer performance and provide constructive feedback where necessary. Address any issues or conflicts promptly, ensuring that volunteers are supported and their contributions are recognized.
• Maintain accurate volunteer records, including contact information, hours served, and roles. Implement or use volunteer management software where applicable and provide reports to leadership on volunteer activities, engagement levels, and impact.

Performance Management and Employee Relations

• Develop and implement a fair and transparent performance management system, including regular evaluations, feedback processes, and goal-setting.
• Support management and coordinators in addressing employee relations issues, ensuring conflict resolution is handled in a compassionate and equitable manner, in accordance with established policies.
• Guide and mediate sensitive discussions around performance, disciplinary actions, and terminations, when necessary.
• Develop, and monitor compliance with, policies that prevent discrimination and promote equitable and appropriate treatment for employees and volunteers.

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with all labour laws, health and safety regulations, and human rights legislation, particularly as they pertain to 2SLGBTQ+ people, people living with HIV, racialized people, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities.
• Oversee HR data collection, reporting, and analysis, providing insights for continuous improvement in HR practices.
• Manage HR-related budgeting, including compensation, benefits, and training costs.

The Director is also responsible for the following general and administrative areas:

• Direct the work of employees and volunteers as needed;
• Collaborate with the rest of the MAX team to ensure coordination and integration of resources, programs, and services across the organization;
• Develop an annual workplan in collaboration with the Executive Director;
• Work with the Executive Director and Director of Community Programs to develop and manage an annual budget;
• Ensure the incorporation of evaluation metrics across all areas of assigned work;
• Collect and report on relevant data;
• Monitor and report on budget and spending throughout the year;
• Ensure the accurate and timely collection of participant data, including contact information, and maintain the privacy standards as set out in MAX policies;
• Provide information to clients about programs and services, both internal and external, as required;
• Build and maintain solid working and supportive relationships with service users, volunteers, external agencies, and other staff.

In addition to compliance with all organizational policies and procedures, the Director is expected to behave ethically, demonstrate competence in effective communication and team building, demonstrate effectiveness in working in a collaborative environment, and demonstrate confidence in decision-making and in building relationships.

The Director will also be expected to perform other duties as assigned, provided they are within the Director’s capacity and skillset.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant post-secondary degree or diploma (human resources, organizational development, business administration, etc.) or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Minimum of five years of related work experience, including at least two in a supervisory role, ideally within the non-profit, community health, or social services sectors, or related field(s).
• Demonstrated experience in recruitment, onboarding, and development of employees and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement HR strategies that align with organizational goals and promote a healthy, inclusive culture.
• Demonstrated working experience managing and supporting both staff and volunteers in a non-profit setting.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the complexity of health issues that impact both 2SLGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV or AIDS, and an understanding of the ways that other intersecting identities shape lived experience (e.g. race, gender identity, gender expression, disability/ability, immigration status, etc.);
• Ability to proactively identify and solve problems and respond well to changing circumstances;
• Strong interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills;
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member;
• Clear understanding of and commitment to working through harm reduction, queer liberation, and sex-positive frameworks;
• Proficiency in using digital communications and work tools, including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, Zoom, Teamwork, and HRIS systems;
• Willingness and ability to work within anti-racist, anti-colonial, and anti-oppressive frameworks and actively engage in ongoing learning about these frameworks;
• English–French bilingualism or multilingualism is an asset.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Hybrid work environment, split between in-office and remote (within the National Capital Region)
• Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Term: Indeterminate
• Salary range: $70,000 – $75,000, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package
• Start date: Immediately
• Reports to: Executive Director

MAX is an equal opportunity employer and people who have experienced marginalization are highly encouraged to apply and self-identify. This includes people living with HIV, racialized people, gay, bisexual, or queer people, trans or gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities.