The Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools is seeking a dedicated and skilled Human Resources Professional to join our School District and Team, as the Senior Manager, Human Resources! Providing strategic, operational, and technical guidance to leaders across the organization in areas such as staffing, labour relations, HR systems, and continuous process improvement, the successful incumbent will be positioned to have a significant impact and play a critical role in supporting Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools and its staff.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable learning community where every individual thrives. Guided by the values of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and the Syeyutsus Reconciliation Framework. Our 2024–2028 Strategic Plan centers on three foundational goals: Student Success, Student & Employee Wellness, and Truth & Reconciliation.
Success in this position requires the ability to influence and build strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders in a complex, unionized environment. The Senior Manager, Human Resources, reports to the Director of Labour Relations, and manages a wide range of responsibilities—from routine to highly complex—including recruitment and selection, job posting and filling, investigations, grievance resolution, collective bargaining, job evaluation, and other core HR functions.
The ideal candidate demonstrates strong independence, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines and possesses superior organizational and interpersonal skills, excellent verbal and written communication abilities, sound negotiation skills, and has proven people management experience.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Managing staffing processes in accordance with the collective agreements, including job postings and selection, layoff and recall procedures, seniority management, leave administration, and performance evaluations.
- Collaborating with principals and managers to identify staffing needs, define job requirements, and manage effective recruitment and selection strategies aligned with district priorities.
- Collecting and analyzing HR data to support evidence-based decision-making; preparing reports and identifying trends across key human resources functions.
- Supporting the grievance and arbitration processes, including case preparation and representing the employer during proceedings.
- Preparing for collective bargaining; serving as the employer’s spokesperson during contract negotiations.
- Providing expert advice and guidance to senior staff, principals, and managers on interpreting and applying collective agreement provisions.
- Applying best practices in labour relations when managing grievances, collective bargaining, workplace issues, and investigations.
- Conducting workplace investigations in alignment with established procedures and principles of procedural fairness.
- Building and maintaining respectful, collaborative relationships with union partners; offering strategic counsel to leadership on labour relations and broader HR matters.
- Acting as the employer lead on the Support Staff Job Evaluation Committee; preparing documentation and representing the employer in job reviews and evaluations.
- Collaborating with management to develop and review job descriptions for support and exempt staff, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with organizational goals and compensation frameworks.
- Working closely with management to draft, review, and oversee contracts for temporary or contract-based work, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, legal standards, and project-specific requirements.
- Coordinating and monitoring gradual return-to-work plans, ensuring alignment with medical recommendations and operational needs.
- Coordinating, preparing, and managing the implementation and monitoring of treatment and relapse prevention agreements in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
- Providing supervision and leadership to casual unionized support staff and staff within the HR department.
- Overseeing and assigning departmental tasks to ensure operational priorities are met, reviewing outputs for accuracy and completeness, particularly in managing the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), the Absence Dispatch System (ADS) and the Criminal Record Review Compliance Process.
- Acting as the employer lead on the Joint Staff Development Committee, with responsibility for guiding the planning and coordination of Professional Development (Pro-D) Days. This includes recommending meaningful work-related activities, managing the Pro-D budget, and leading the delivery of the day’s events to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and staff engagement.
- Designing, delivering, and participating in training and development initiatives.
- Along with performing other related duties as required.
Required Education and Experience
- Completion of a relevant university degree, diploma, or certificate in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
- A minimum of seven years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably within a complex, unionized, and public sector environment.
- Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation is preferred; candidates working toward certification may also be considered.
- Demonstrated expertise in HR systems, process improvement, labour relations, recruitment, project management, and organizational change management.
- Proven experience in supervising staff and managing office operations in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to influence and collaborate to achieve strategic goals.
- Exceptional communication skills, including verbal and written communication, public speaking, and the ability to foster trust and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated managerial courage and the ability to lead sensitive or complex conversations with discretion and professionalism across all levels of the organization.
- Proficiency in technology platforms and systems commonly used in Human Resources operations, including Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS).
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and standards, including the School Act, Employment Standards Act, WorkSafeBC, Human Rights Code, Labour Relations Code, and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
- Experience supporting or leading Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives within an organizational setting.
- Knowledge of the British Columbia K–12 public education system, including its governance structures, collective agreements, and operational context, is an asset.
- Valid BC driver’s license and access to a vehicle required.
Compensation
This position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, which will commensurate the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. The salary range for this position is $97,480 to $122,455 annually. Further details can be provided and discussed through the recruitment and selection process.
How to Apply
To submit your application, please click on the apply button next to the job details. Applications should include a detailed cover letter, resume, applicable degrees, diplomas and/or designations, and will be accepted until 4:00 PM on Friday July 17, 2026.
While we thank all those who apply and express interest, only those being considered and/or shortlisted, will be contacted.
Education : College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma from a program of 1 year to 2 years
