People Services Director

Reporting to the General Manager of Corporate Services, the Director, People Services, oversees and manages all facets of the City’s People Services programs, including payroll & benefits; classification & compensation; employee labour relations; recruitment & orientation; corporate training & development; and health & safety. This position requires strong leadership to support the development of the People Services department as a strategic business partner with an emphasis on collaboration and consensus building toward shared organizational outcomes.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coach and mentor staff within the department and across the organization, promoting a work environment committed to continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Provide timely, well-organized and coherent information, assistance, and advice to decision makers, including the Leadership Team and Council on human resource matters.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and workshops to support the department and the municipal organization.
• Design, develop, and implement both short- and long-term strategies that align with the City’s strategic goals, guiding the department’s workplan, and operational priorities.
• Oversee the management of the City’s collective agreements, including formal and informal consultation and advice to unions and employees, providing advice and direction on contract negotiations with CUPE and IAFF, as well as lead the CUPE Working Relationship Committee (WRC).
• Prepare, manage, and oversee the department’s annual operating budget, while considering organizational cost impacts and overall financial viability.
• Foster strong relationships with other departments and promote cross-departmental collaboration.
• Oversee projects to ensure deliverables identified at the onset are achieved.
• Cultivate a customer-focused environment by ensuring communications promote ongoing collaboration, engagement and positive stakeholder relationships.

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business administration, psychology, or a related field, and a Chartered Professional Human Resources (CPHR) designation. A master’s degree in human resources management or a related field would be considered an asset. The ideal candidate will bring a minimum of eight years of progressive human resources experience, including at least five years in a senior leadership or management role overseeing HR teams and strategic initiatives. They will possess thorough knowledge of Alberta employment legislation and compliance requirements, demonstrated success in change management, organizational development, HR technology systems (HRIS, payroll, analytics), and familiarity with payroll and human resources management software. Professional credentials such as SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional), NACLAA (National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration) Levels I and II, and Certified Local Government Manager (CLGM) are considered assets. Experience in a municipal environment is also an asset.

The candidate will have experience in strategic HR planning aligned with organizational goals, talent acquisition, workforce planning, and succession management. They will also bring experience in labour and employee relations, including work in unionized environments, and in the development of compensation and benefits strategies and related policies. The incumbent will demonstrate strong decision-making, interpersonal, and supervisory skills, using critical thinking, sound judgment, and effective communication to guide teams, resolve complex or sensitive issues, and adapt to a fast-paced, evolving organizational environment.

                                                  Hours of Work: 37.5 hours weekly, Monday – Friday

We believe in supporting our employees both professionally and personally. In addition to a positive and collaborative work environment, we offer the following:

•           Competitive wages

•           Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits

•           Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP)

•           Supplementary Pension Plan through APEX

•           Employee and family assistance program (EFAP)

•           Heath & Wellness Spending Accounts

•           Earned Days Off (EDO’s)

•           Time Off In Lieu (TOIL)

•           Training/education and professional development opportunities

•           50% discount for you and your family to applicable City facilities

The City of Fort Saskatchewan offers a salary range of $152,178.00 to $179,029.50 per annum.