You believe in values-driven leadership, aiming high, and making a positive impact. At The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS), we work together, share common values and help each other grow and achieve goals.  Our mission is to remove barriers to communication, advance hearing health, and promote equity for people who are culturally deaf, oral deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing. With a network of 27 offices and 450 employees across Ontario, we provide direct service in English, French, American Sign Language (ASL), and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).

Based in Toronto, the Vice President Human Resources is accountable for the strategic and operational effectiveness of the Human Resources function across the organization in accordance with CHS’s mission and values.  The Vice President Human Resources leads a team of committed professionals in the administration, budgeting, continuing quality improvement, and risk management of corporate Human Resources activities (policies and procedures, job evaluation, compensation and benefits, recruitment and selection, orientation, performance management, workplace health and safety, employee and labour relations, training and development, compliance with applicable legislation, and HRIS) in accordance with best practices.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the Senior Management team in developing short and long-term Human Resources strategic plans responsive to stakeholder needs, market pressures, and funders’ requirements
• Role model the organization’s values
• Develop, maintain and promote strong professional relationships, a high level of personal credibility and knowledge
• Deliver comprehensive best practices HR advice, support and resources
• Own the relationship with the client base and, in particular, the senior managers across the leadership team
• Ensure regional input into the development of corporate wide strategies and programs
• Analyze and remain current with legislation, regulations, best practice standards, policies and directives related to Human Resources management

Strategic Partnering

• Proactively confer with leaders and other key clients on a regular basis and build effective working relationships so that they actively seek HR input on their people management activities
• Implement decisions/strategies determined through the application of expert knowledge and effective data analysis
• Network with external organizations to develop knowledge and ensure that  CHS’s HR strategies reflect best practices

Leadership Development

• Drive the creation and implementation of a leadership development agenda with an emphasis on educational and informational components delivered in a series of scheduled meetings and presentations

Recruitment, Resourcing and Retention

• Ensure an effective resource plan is maintained and delivered
• Partner with hiring managers to ensure that the right people with the right skills are recruited to further the mission and model the values of CHS
• Ensure that compensation and benefits are competitive with other social service agencies
• Develop, maintain and promote a high quality work life environment including an effective health and safety program, employee recognition program, opportunities for skill development and advancement, and opportunities for employee engagement

Employee and Labour Relations

• Provide expert advice and leadership on employee and labour relations matters, performance management, employment legislation issues, job evaluation and human resources policies and procedures
• Negotiate collective agreement renewals and administer the collective agreement

The successful candidate will have:

• University degree, preferably in human resources or business management; CHRP Certification or equivalent
• Generalist background with excellent knowledge of HR functions and systems, including employment, compensation, organizational planning, employee and labour relations, and training and development
• Progressively responsible Human Resources job experience with a minimum of 5-7 years at the senior level within a unionized environment
• Demonstrated leadership translating HR strategic initiatives into effective operational plans to achieve organizational objectives
• Strong interpersonal and consulting skills with the ability to build relationships and influence related to people and strategies at all levels internally and externally
• Demonstrated skill and success in change management, conflict resolution and consensus building
• Experience analyzing and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies
• Experience in design, development and implementation of salary administration and benefits plans
• Knowledge and experience with relevant legislation e.g. Ontario employment laws, etc.
• Solid experience negotiating, interpreting and maintaining collective agreements
• Ability to keep current with emerging HR issues to provide advice and guidance to senior management
• Excellent team leadership, project management, and decision making skills demonstrated in balancing multiple changing priorities in a fast paced, complex and challenging environment
• Knowledge of computerized information systems used in human resources applications
• Professional written communication skills in English required
• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) or a willingness to achieve fluency in ASL at the level of Advanced Plus required
• Fluency in French, and/or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) desirable
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Internet, Outlook
• Periodic evenings/weekends and travel throughout Ontario