The Director, HR will be an outstanding leader and a core member of the senior leadership team. Reporting to and working closely with the CEO, the Director will develop and implement a people and culture strategy that will enable Northstar to achieve its goals, supporting business and employee performance and wellbeing.

The ideal candidate will have leadership experience managing complex business and people strategies in a construction, manufacturing, or distribution/logistics environment. Additionally, they should have a demonstrated ability to lead, create, and implement a people and culture strategy alongside the corporate strategy. This includes developing, leading, implementing, and overseeing HR policies, programs, training, initiatives, and processes. Excellent communication skills and an inclusive, collaborative, and energetic approach are required.

Northstar currently has ~300 employees across Canada, and will continue to grow in the years ahead. A significant proportion of our employees (~60% ) are field-based construction workers (all unionized). A successful candidate will need to be excited about working in and collaborating with field, warehouse, and office staff to drive engagement and retention across a diverse set of employees.

This role has 3-4 direct reports. The position is based in Toronto, Canada with responsibilities nationally, including locations in Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. Northstar operates a hybrid working model and this position is expected to be in the office ~3-4 days per week.

Position Responsibilities:

People and Culture Leadership

• Work with senior leadership team on the development and implementation of the people and culture strategy, and drive implementation
• Establish organizational department goals, including talent acquisition, compensation, well-being benefits, training and development, records management, health and safety, succession planning, employee relations, and retention
• Coach, mentor, and guide professional staff
• Model our values, purpose, culture and incorporate across all HR/People processes

Organizational Effectiveness and Design

• Develop the communication and engagement strategy with senior leadership and drive implementation
• Provide internal consulting to enhance organizational effectiveness and culture
• Challenge the organization to drive superior performance and employee engagement
• Develop and lead organizational development and change management initiatives

HR Systems, Processes & Compliance

• Administer and oversee the administration of human resources programs including, but not limited to, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, performance and talent management, productivity, employee relations, recognition, morale, and training and development

• Establish and maintain HR tools, technology, and resources to manage the HR function
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are initiated and updated to guide HR practices, including compliance with provincial employment legislation, while also addressing various collective agreement requirements

• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law; applies this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to upper management

• Conduct interviews, including exit-interviews as required to identify issues or concerns and areas for improvement

• Ensure all employee information in company HRIS system is accurate and up to date - delegate audits as required
• Manage Northstar’s LMS system, the contract with third party vendors, training audits, and delegating training as required
• Collaborate with Health and Safety to support initiatives, programs, and promote safety at work

Talent Management and Compensation

• Lead the performance management process, including coordination of the annual review process
• Provide advice to employees and managers on performance management issues
• Provide recommendations on annual compensation and benefit changes
• Manage the participation in external industry salary and compensation surveys

Other Duties as Assigned

Qualifications:

• Post-Secondary Degree, Diploma, or Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resources or Human Resources Management or a related field
• 8+ Years generalist experience in progressive HR roles (e.g., HR Manager or higher)
• 2+ Years experience coaching/ providing leadership
• CHRP designation required, CHRL preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong project and change management experience;
• Ability to develop and implement HR strategies while balancing the day-to-day tactical HR needs
• Demonstrated employee relations experience, superior skills in verbal and written communication, and experience partnering with senior leaders;
• Excellent business acumen and demonstrated analytical and creative thinking abilities;
• M&A and post merger integration experience an asset;
• Working knowledge of Provincial and Federal employment laws across the different provinces;
• Experience with payroll management across different provinces
• Up-to-date knowledge of trending of HR programs and industry best practices
• Employee and labour relations experience at all levels within an organization with various legislative/regulatory bodies. This includes Employment Standards (across various Canadian provinces) as well as Common Law, Human Rights, and Labour Relations Act (Note: any experience with unionized workforces and collective bargaining would be an asset)
• Technical competencies within HRIS system development and applicant tracking system(s)
• High degree of work ethic to maintain confidentiality and professional maturity while maintaining the ability to work calmly under difficult situations
• Superior problem-solving capabilities, organizational, time management & client service skills with a proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• Flexible to work varying hours as projects and additional support is required
• Ability to travel outside of Greater-Toronto-Area: Visiting each Northstar branch (outside of Toronto) ~3 times per year to drive local engagement and collaboration
• Travel Within Greater-Toronto-Area: Periodically visiting Northstar employees at Commercial construction and industrial site

Environmental and Working Conditions:

• Typically works in an office setting with adequate lighting and ventilation and provided with a normal range of room temperature and noise level. Note that Northstar employs a hybrid work model for most office and administrative staff
• Minimal physical effort required. Work is mostly sedentary but can require walking, standing, bending, reaching, lifting, or carrying objects that typically weigh less than 10lbs
• Frequent viewing of a computer screen and the use of hands and fingers to type on a keyboard and open documents
• Frequent volume of work and deadlines that could impose mental strain and require focus on a routine basis. Work assignments are diversified. Frequent focus required to complete analysis and resolve unique problems. Recollection of past precedent may be required to resolve work problems

You’ll love working at Northstar because of:

The People. You will be surrounded by some of the most talented, smart, supportive, and passionate teams – people you can be proud to work with.

The Business. Northstar Access Inc is an industry leader in access solutions in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Management & Ownership. Northstar’s ownership and management team are long-term focused. We are focused on making the right long-term decisions for the business and bringing in values-orientated individuals who can grow with the company over the long term. Being privately-owned and Canadian focused, we are not focused on quarterly financial results, or short-term objectives.

Northstar Access is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religious affiliation, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Northstar Access welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls or agency, please.