Reporting to the Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation (A&R) with a functional (dotted line) accountability to the Senior Director, Client Services and Organizational Development and Learning, the Associate Director, Human Resources (Associate Director) is responsible for leading and developing a full range of human resources services, strategies and initiatives to support the vision and goals of A&R within the overall human resources strategy framework of the University. The role requires a strategic focus that brings an energetic, collaborative and pro-active approach to HR service delivery and organizational effectiveness.

The incumbent provides high quality hands-on support and strategic expertise to senior leaders and managers in all human resources functional areas (full time, part-time and casual) including employee relations issues, total compensation, recruitment and selection, job evaluation, performance management and coordinating organizational development initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for the development, submission, monitoring and evaluation of A&R’s human resources budget and has responsibility to oversee all aspects of A&R casual staff employment policies, procedures and practices.

The Associate Director works in collaboration with the University’s Central Human Resources department to ensure university-wide human resource strategies, policies and collective agreements are implemented consistently within A&R and to provide information and feedback to ensure university-wide policies and programs are meeting the needs of A&R.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promotes and contributes to a culture of inclusion that embodies A&R values, with a commitment to the university’s equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives designed to foster an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming work environment for individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities
• Working closely with the Executive Director, A&R, and the Senior Management Team the incumbent leads the development and implementation of strategic human resources plans for A&R, supporting strategic recruitment and selection, compensation, employee relations, performance management, training, staff engagement, succession planning, organizational development, etc.
• Provides leadership and advice to A&R management on complex human resources issues. This includes employee relations, compensation, recruitment, staff development/training, legal compliance, etc. ensuring consistency with university human resources policies, procedures and legislative bodies. Working with Central HR, coordinates and facilitates return from leaves or return to work situations. Develops HR processes, guides, manuals and resources for the department and conducts training sessions. Refers individual staff to Central HR for support
• Researches, analyzes data and prepares reports required to formulate, execute, evaluate and benchmark strategic and priority driven human resources implementation plans. Makes recommendations to the Executive Director and/or the Senior Management Team, and implements changes in strategy as required
• Develops and monitors the A&R human resources budget; including assisting managers with human resource budget preparation; performing monthly and quarterly financial reviews; providing deviation reports; working closely with the Manager, Finance and Administration on all aspects (budget, analysis, financial management, reporting) of the human resources budget to meet department needs

• Provides data and analysis for preparation of the annual budget and staffing strategy and contributes to ongoing budget and staffing decisions. Interprets and manages financial and staffing implications of leaves and transfers to ensure salary allocations stay within budget
• Leads and provides oversight to the A&R casual staff workforce, working closely with A&R staff to ensure that all university and department policies and procedures are consistently carried out. Conducts annual reviews on policies, processes, resources and systems (i.e. iworks), makes recommendations for improvement, creates and updates all forms, contracts, salary grids, monitors rates of pay, prepares orientation materials and conducts education/training sessions, maintains records, has final review and signoff on all casual contracts and agreements.
• Delegates day-to-day administrative functions to support staff
• Leads the development and implementation of a new casual staff workforce model in collaboration with senior leaders
• Manages the recruitment process on behalf of A&R including needs assessment, job evaluation, developing recruitment strategies, providing strategic support and advice during the selection process, compensation liaison with Central HR, short-listing, interviewing job candidates, completing reference checks, overseeing the offer process, appointment letter preparation and onboarding. Educates, trains and oversee others to lead and/or participate in the recruitment process. Exercises due diligence to promote and foster fair recruitment practices
• Advocates the value of diversity to others, takes action to increase diversity in the workplace. In collaboration with the Executive Director, leads A&R EDII initiatives; assesses and develops strategies to assist A&R in the diversification of staff teams; equity hiring processes, overseeing the department’s DEAP tool assessment, updates and reporting, researches and secures education/development opportunities for professional staff, and participates on EDII related committees
• Provides leadership and guidance to the performance review process by providing frameworks, guidance and coaching to managers, providing support with objective setting, assisting with performance development plans and implementing actions required under those plans
• In consultation with Central Human Resources and Employee Labour Relations, assists managers with first-level grievance investigations and responds by providing advice and assistance regarding the grievance process; drafting rationale; researching; interpreting the collective agreement language and staff policies, past practice and potential risks to the university. Where requested, participates in the collective bargaining process and/or provides information regarding A&R needs into the process
• Takes the lead role in staff orientation and onboarding, training and skill development initiatives. Maintains the A&R Professional Development policy, procedures and approvals
• Oversees the PeopleSoft HRIS system for A&R, ensuring accuracy of data and appropriate security access through regular audits. Develops training materials and resources for staff who are responsible for daily HR-related administrative responsibilities
• Responsible for the management of HR contracts, records, files and data required for the department’s effective operation in accordance with university standards
• Attends regular meetings with Central HR and works closely with the Central Human Resources team on policy and procedural updates, implementation and best practices, ensuring consistency across A&R and with University human resources policies, procedures and collective agreement requirements
• Acts on behalf of A&R, serving on committees, working groups and task forces as required, enhancing the image, increasing visibility and furthering the interests of Queen’s A&R. Responds to inquiries and prepares and presents reports as necessary. Co-Chairs the Joint Health and Safety Committee and oversees compliance with all university health and safety regulations
• Provides support as needed to the Executive Director and other members of management team as assigned. Coordinates and manages special projects for the Executive Director as required, providing leadership and assigning tasks as appropriate
• Plans, prioritizes and manages the work of employee(s), providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis
• Assesses staff training and development needs, and ensures that employee(s) receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance
• Investigates, addresses and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Educates on Harassment and Discrimination policy and ensure that A&R is compliant with the policy, refers complaints as appropriate. Makes decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination