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Chief Human Resources Officer

Executive Search Division

Chief Human Resources Officer

EXPECTED SALARY: $250,000 (depending on experience)

LOCATION: GTAA, ON, Canada

COMPANY SIZE: 1000-5000

PROJECT NUMBER: 410

Please email your CV and cover letter to [email protected]

The Role

The Chief Human Resources Officer will be responsible for leading The College’s Human Resources strategy, ensuring that HR policies, programs, and initiatives support the College’s strategic goals. The CHRO will foster a people-first culture, emphasizing employee engagement, professional development, and workplace well-being.

Reporting to the Vice-President, Administrative Services, the CHRO will provide strategic and day-to-day leadership to The College’s Human Resources department, ensuring that HR strategies and initiatives are consistent and aligned with the College’s mission to inspire creativity, innovation, and a culture of belonging. The CHRO is responsible for creating a strong employer brand by building HR programs, developing a compelling employee value proposition (EVP), and The College’s culture to make it attractive to top-tier candidates. The ideal candidate will foster a collaborative environment by integrating HR functions ensuring a holistic approach to employee well-being, development, and success, where every individual has the support and resources to thrive. They will provide strategic advice, guidance, and support in partnership with senior leaders in the areas of human resources, labour relations, and performance management. As part of the senior leadership group (SLG), they will participate in institutional decision-making and alignment. This is a highly collaborative leader who can build strong relationships, influence change, and design forward-thinking HR strategies that make an impact on the employee experience.

Key areas of responsibility include:

  • Strategic Leadership and Organizational Agility: Develops and implements HR strategies that align with The College’s mission, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and inclusion positioning The College’s as a top employer. The CHRO ensures that the organization embraces and thrives through cultural shifts that promote collaboration, flexibility, and creativity, ensuring the workforce remains adaptable and engaged in continuous improvement. Bringing a long-term strategic focus prepares The College’s workforce for the future, streamlined processes, and organizational agility to drive sustainable success.
  • Employee Engagement, Culture, and Inclusion: Fosters a supportive, engaging, and inclusive workplace environment that attracts, retains, and develops top talent. In partnership with the Centre for Equity and Inclusion, champions initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within The College’s HR policies, programs, and culture. Promotes emphasis on psychological safety and inclusive leadership, the CHRO ensuring that leadership behaviors are aligned with the organization’s values, particularly in driving a culture where employees feel safe, supported, and empowered.
  • Organizational Development and HR Operations: Leads workforce planning, professional development, and succession planning initiatives to support The College’s long-term success. Ensures that that the structure and design of the organization are streamlined and flexible, positioning the workforce to respond to changing needs quickly. Oversees labor relations, ensuring strict compliance with employment legislation, collective agreements, and HR best practices, while fostering positive, collaborative relationships with union representatives. Review and implement future-focused data and technology systems that support ongoing innovation.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a strategic and compassionate HR leader with a proven ability to drive organizational success through innovative and forward-thinking human resource strategies. They bring expertise in developing and implementing HR strategies that foster engagement, inclusion, and operational efficiency. A bold, entrepreneurial leader, finding unique solutions and initiatives that maximize existing resources. We are looking for a candidate is data-driven and maintains a long-term strategic focus. They emphasize collegial governance, planning, analysis, accountability, risk management, teamwork and transparency.

Qualifications and Experience:

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates.

  • A degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; a master’s degree or CHRL designation is preferred.
  • Significant leadership experience in HR, preferably within post-secondary education or a similarly complex, unionized environment.
  • Expertise in labour relations, workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement.
  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Experience leading change initiatives and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
  • Demonstrated success building high performing teams, in consulting with diverse constituents, and managing conflict.
  • Strong knowledge of HRIS (such as PeopleSoft) and data management.
  • Experience in a higher education is an asset.

Skills and Attributes:

  • The ability to strategically allocate resources and balance priorities within an academic environment.
  • Courageous leadership, with the ability to face challenges and to exercise integrity, flexibility, and wisdom while maintaining transparency.
  • A trustworthy leader capable of working collegially and effectively within a unionized environment and build trusting relationships both internally and externally.
  • Emotional intelligence and empathy, ensuring a supportive and inclusive work environment.
  • Adaptability and resilience in navigating change and high-pressure situations.

If interested, please email your resume to [email protected].  Or please forward this job description to an acquaintance who you feel may be interested and qualified for this position.