Position Summary

Red Deer Polytechnic’s strength lies in its vibrant community—where future innovators, leaders, and skilled professionals learn in state-of-the-art facilities to meet the evolving needs of Central Alberta and beyond.

We’re looking for a strategic, empathetic leader who thrives on solving complex challenges, enjoys empowering people, and brings strong communication and organizational skills to the table. If you’re ready to grow your career in a role that blends high-level strategic expertise with genuine human connection, we’d love to meet you!

The Role

As the Director, People & Culture, you will act as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and the senior People & Culture advisor for the institution. Reporting to the Vice President, Communications, People & Enrolment, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a portfolio supporting approximately 1,500 academic, administrative, operational, and leadership employees. Your core mission will be to foster a healthy, inclusive, respectful, and high-performing workplace culture within a complex, unionized post-secondary environment.

Position Responsibilities

- Lead and inspire a high-performing People & Culture team, delivering integrated strategies and services across workforce planning, talent acquisition, compensation, payroll, disability management, and employee experience.
- Shape the future workforce at Red Deer Polytechnic by advancing employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, and retention strategies that support the institution's vision of becoming an employer of choice.
- Champion a culture of wellbeing, inclusion, and psychological safety, driving proactive initiatives that support employee health, resilience, and organizational effectiveness.
- Act as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leaders, partnering on organizational design, workforce transformation, talent planning, and change initiatives that advance institutional priorities and long-term success.
- Serve as the institution's senior labour relations leader,



providing strategic direction on employee and labour relations matters, collective agreement administration, grievance resolution, and leading collective bargaining negotiations that strengthen trust and partnership across the organization.
- Provide enterprise-wide leadership in workforce risk management and stewardship, overseeing People & Culture resources, ensuring legislative and collective agreement compliance, and enabling informed decision-making through sound governance and people strategies.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, Organizational Development, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation required.
- Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible human resources and/or people leadership experience, including experience leading multiple human resources disciplines within a complex, unionized organization.
- Minimum five (5) years of leadership experience overseeing multiple HR functions and professional staff.
- Significant experience in labour relations within a unionized setting.
- Experience supporting collective bargaining, grievance administration, arbitration preparation, and organizational change initiatives.
- Experience leading workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, talent management, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint) Working knowledge of Records Management.

Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in a related discipline is considered an asset.
- Mediation, labour relations, organizational development, or leadership certifications are considered assets.
- Experience within post-secondary education,



public sector, or similarly complex organizations is preferred.

Advantages and Compensation Information Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee & Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to Institution closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays.

Eligibility to access the above-mentioned benefits is dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and Conditions of Employment and related RDP policies.

Desired Start Date

December 1, 2026

Salary

Commensurate with education and experience

Hours of work

You will be employed on a full-time basis. It is understood that the hours of work involved will vary and be irregular and are those hours of work required to meet the objectives of your employment.

Normal hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, M – F

Posting Close Date

Open until closed

Note to Applicant

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

To enrich the intellectual, economic, cultural, and social development of Central Alberta, we value the contributions of individuals with diverse perspectives and experiences. We encourage applications from Indigenous persons, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, individuals of all sexual orientations, and persons of any gender identity or expression.

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected].

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

📌 Director, People & Culture (Red Deer)
🏢 Red Deer Polytechnic
📍 Red Deer