Senior Manager of Human Resources

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Lacombe is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager of Human Resources to join its fast-growing and vibrant municipality in central Alberta. Reporting directly to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), this senior leadership role is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight in delivering comprehensive human resource management and occupational health and safety programs.

The Senior Manager will lead policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation while overseeing various HR and occupational health and safety initiatives. This role serves as a trusted advisor to the CAO, Corporate Leadership Team, management, and staff, including the Lacombe Police Service, Lacombe Family & Community Support Services, and the Lacombe Police Commission, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory compliance.

Key responsibilities include managing the City’s employee assistance and disability management programs, employee services and engagement, staff development and training, employee relations, talent acquisition and onboarding, succession planning, organizational structure, job evaluation, compensation and benefits, and HR information systems.

Direct Reports: (3.5 direct reports): Human Resource Coordinator, Health & Safety Coordinator, Payroll & Benefits Coordinator, and HR Assistant (0.5 FTE).

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned HR professional to make a significant impact in a progressive and growing municipality.

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Lacombe is a vibrant, fast-growing community of over 14,500 residents that welcomes innovation and enterprise while honoring its architectural and historical heritage. One of Alberta’s newest cites, Lacombe, offers a rich natural environment of lakes and green spaces, along with an unrivaled range of lifestyle amenities and recreational opportunities. The City offers modern subdivisions, a full range of schools, Burman University, a hospital and first-class recreation facilities. The high quality of life in this picturesque community makes it an ideal location to live, work, learn and invest. 

For more information, please visit their website: www.lacombe.ca 

 RESPONSIBILITIES

Human Resource Management and Administration

• Provide strategic leadership to the City of Lacombe’s CAO Corporate Leadership team (CLT) by providing advice, counsel and coaching on HR matters within their areas. Actively participate in strategic planning sessions as a member of the CLT. Influence members of the CLT to effectively position HR programs and philosophy to align with strategic business objectives.
• Direct and ensure the equitable and consistent delivery, availability and accessibility of comprehensive human resource programs and services, which include talent acquisition, and onboarding, employee development, succession planning, compensation and benefits, engagement, health & safety, and employee relations. Keep abreast of HR trends, best practices and impacts to the City of Lacombe. On an as needed basis, collaborates with ABMunis and other municipal Human Resources, to ensure consistency of programs and strategies.
• As a member of the City of Lacombe’s Corporate Leadership Team, develop and foster strong working relationships within the leadership team, actively participate in short and long-term strategic planning and decision making and participate in the development and implementation of policies and programs for the City. Work effectively within the governance structure of the organization, supporting the CAO with communicating and reporting to Mayor and Council where appropriate.
• Develop and implement the HR Work Plan. Monitor plan progress to ensure goals are being reached and the plan is updated as required.
• Draft memos, letters, policies and procedures that are technically and/or legally correct as the situation requires.
• Liaise with Payroll in all areas relating to employee pay and benefits.
• Provide peer support to other City Managers and participate in a review of policies, procedures and new initiatives desired by Senior Management

HR / OHS Program and Policy Development, Implementation and Evaluation

• Research, develop and implement HR initiatives and programs at the City of Lacombe (ex. key performance indicators/HR metrics, HR service delivery model). Leverage HR programs from other municipalities and organizations and customize these programs to implement. Develop standards and procedures to ensure effective and equitable application of all human resource services and programs and related human resource quality assurance policies and regulations.
• Work with City of Lacombe leaders and external partners to ensure the City has a workforce in place to meet business demands for today and into the future through effective attraction and retention strategies, employee engagement, building capacity, career management and workforce development. 

Occupational Health and Safety and Enterprise Risk Management

• Manage the activities and professional, specialized staff to develop, implement and maintain City-wide health, safety and employee assistance and disability management programs and ensure alignment with City strategic business goals and priorities.
• Ensure effective leadership by providing direction and coaching to support Workplace Health staff and Joint Health and Safety Committee members by coaching, mentoring, and empowering staff to use their creativity to think outside the box, providing appropriate feedback tools, leading by example and by fostering a professional working environment founded on trust and respect to monitor and enhance the Corporate Health and Safety program and risk management program.
• Identify opportunities and prioritize areas for action and develop effective solutions to issues by working with the CAO, leaders and staff to understand current and emerging legislation, guidelines and best practices and working with key stakeholders to align needs and solutions with strategic business goals and priorities.
• Maintain awareness of, comply with, and adhere to the City’s Health & Safety Policies & Procedures, the OH&S Act and code by following rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Health and Safety Manual, comply with all safe work procedures and the OH&S program requirements; monitor and enforce subordinate compliance with the OH&S program.
• As per relevant legislation, instruct, direct, and control workers in the performance of their duties and is responsible for worker health and safety. This includes ensuring the health and safety of workers under the direct supervision, knowing the OHS Code, Regulation and guideline requirements that apply to the work at the City and make sure those requirements are met.
• Ensure workers are aware of all known hazards and have the appropriate personal protective equipment, which is being used properly, regularly inspected, and maintained.
• Promote and model safety in the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Department.
• Hold regular meetings discussing operations and health & safety with staff through informal conversations and formal communication to direct and allocate resources effectively and efficiently. 

Employee / Labour Relations

• Play a key role in coordinating the preparation of contract proposals for collective bargaining, participate as a member of the contract negotiations team and administer and interpret the Lacombe Police Service collective agreement.
• Provide advice on resolving employee related matters and informal mediation of disputes.
• Provide research, analysis and recommendations to support both the informal complaint process and formal grievance process.
• Provide guidance and advice to supervisors regarding employee assessment, discipline and termination.
• Deal with circumstances and situations that may involve a highly charged atmosphere. Empathize with distressed and argumentative employees, and calmly diffuse emotional situations and focus on problem solving. 

Performance Management

• Provide guidance and leadership in the performance management of employees.
• Evaluate jobs to ensure that positions are correctly classified and that position descriptions are up to date.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Human Resource annual workforce plan that identifies priorities and strategies to achieve priorities. Develop annual branch goals, objectives and operations plans to effectively meet the human services requirements. Monitor on a macro level, the effective utilization of the City of Lacombe workforce, trends and issues. 

Compensation and Benefits

• Ensure the correct application of compensation requirements outlined in policy.
• Maintain and be accountable for a comprehensive employee benefit program, which includes preparation of recommendations for change and subsequent negotiations required with insurance underwriters.
• Analyze group benefit coverage, identify needed changes in coverage, carrier or approach as required.
• Monitor employee attendance as per the attendance policy. 

Recruitment and Selection

• Administer the recruitment of City employees in accordance with policy, procedures and government legislation.
• Serve as a member of selection committees.
• Ensure effective orientation of new staff working with supervisors. 

Organizational Effectiveness

• Serve as a gateway to training, development and consulting resources that build organizational capacity, increase individual capabilities and promote a culture of excellence.
• Provide appropriate and varied programs, which facilitate the transfer of knowledge, experience and expertise among employees to contribute to organizational goals, sustainability and the delivery of quality services.

Additional Duties as Required

• Develop and manage HR annual budget.
• Provide peer support to other City Managers and participate in a review of policies, procedures and new initiatives identified by the Corporate Leadership Team.
• Foster a positive work culture and monitor the corporate culture evolution on a regular basis.
• Participate as required in the City’s Emergency Management program.
• Participate as required in the City’s Asset Management Program.
• Participate in City Committees appropriate to the role.
• Maintain excellent customer service with coworkers, customers, local stakeholders and the public.
• Special Projects assigned by the Chief Administrative Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree (Human Resources, Business, Leadership or related preferred) and Certificate or Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent.
• CPHR designation preferred.
• CRSP/CRST designation preferred.
• NACLAA certification Level I or II preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience at a senior management/strategic level.
• 8+ years’ experience as a generalist in a complex, multifaceted organization.
• Experience in payroll and benefits would be an asset.
• Combination of education and experience will be considered.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Thorough knowledge of human resource functions, best practices and principles.
• Thorough knowledge of related legislation such as Alberta Human Rights and Employment Standards Code, etc.
• Working knowledge of payroll and benefits.
• Working knowledge of employment law.
• Intermediate knowledge of budget principles, including development, execution and monitoring.
• Intermediate knowledge of the Municipal Government Act as it pertains to the role.
• Demonstrated proficiency to provide high level guidance to departments on HR matters.
• Proven leadership and supervisory skills.
• Strong conflict resolution skills.
• Skill and ability in making well-reasoned decisions.
• Strong computer skills: competency in Microsoft Office required.
• Skill in making employee relations decisions in a legally defensible manner.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Skill in developing creative and innovative solutions.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Good time management and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and delegate projects, tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability and skill to lead a department and set and manage priorities.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and maintain confidentiality in all matters.
• Ability to represent the city and department in a professional, competent manner.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

SANDY JACOBSON | T: 780.944.1327| E: [email protected] | www.richardsonsearch.ca