Executive Director, Human Resources

Position: Executive Director, Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Position Type: Full-time, Permanent
Date Posted: March 27, 2025
Application Deadline: April 24, 2025 at 11:59pm
Competition #: 25-13-AU
Salary: To be commensurate with qualifications and experience in the range of $125,000 - $150,000 per annum.
Benefits: Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plan, Telemedicine with Greenshield Health, health spending account, life insurance, optional life insurance, AD&D insurance, long-term disability insurance, employee and family assistance program, tuition discount for employees and their dependents, free gym facility membership, 4 weeks' vacation, university paid holidays including winter break closure.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Behaviour, or Business, ideally with a Human Resources designation. A master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive human resources management experience in a large, unionized, and dynamic organization is required.
• Additional designations in related fields (e.g., Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR)) are preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of employment standards, human rights legislation, employment law, and employment equity regulations.
• Deep knowledge of human resources functions with a focus on compensation and group benefits management, retention, and recruitment.
• Strong conflict resolution, interpersonal, and leadership abilities, with excellent judgment, tact, and discretion.
• Proven experience in coaching leaders and employees, promoting human resources best practices, and fostering positive workplace relationships.
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively with solid planning and organizational skills.
• Strict adherence to confidentiality and professionalism when dealing with difficult and sensitive situations.
• Planning and project management experience, including the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Must embrace new technology with excitement and adapt effortlessly, highlighting your capability to autonomously oversee human resources systems and platforms.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is required. Experience with Dayforce software is an asset.

Acadia University is seeking an experienced and visionary Executive Director, Human Resources to provide strategic leadership and foster a workplace culture of engagement, trust, respect, equity, inclusion, and responsiveness on campus. Reporting to the Vice-President Administration, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the Executive Director is a key advisor on all human resources matters and plays a pivotal role in shaping our people and culture strategy.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Engaging our community in the development of a comprehensive people and culture strategy to attract, retain, and grow top talent.
• Lead initiatives that foster an equitable, inclusive, and supportive work environment.
• Act as a key advisor on complex workplace issues and conflict resolution.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices, with a strong focus on EDI-AR (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism).
• Provide ongoing training and support to the Acadia community related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism (EDI-AR) in human resources-related issues.
• Collaborate with university leaders to align HR policies with institutional goals.
• Drive organizational development and lead change management initiatives.
• Provide data-driven insights to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead and mentor an HR team in delivering exceptional human resource services throughout the employee life cycle, enhancing HR capabilities.

TO APPLY: To apply for this opportunity, click on the "Apply Now" button and upload your cover letter, resume, and references.

Please be advised that only those invited for an interview will be contacted. The University reserves the right not to fill this position. A six-month eligibility list may be established from this competition to fill future vacancies for identical positions.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Acadia University is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from Aboriginal people, African Nova Scotians, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, and persons of any minority sexual orientation or gender identity. Consistent with the principles of employment equity, the primary criterion for appointment to a position is qualifications and professional excellence. Candidates who identify as a member of one of the afore-mentioned groups, and who wish to have the application considered as such, are invited to submit the online Employment Equity Voluntary Self-Identification Form as part of their application package.

The university will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. If you require accommodation because of a disability or for any other reason during the interview process, please contact keilani.tupper@acadiau.ca