Description

The Director of Human Resources will be a critical contributor in shaping and developing an internal service department that will support multiple organizations with multi-faceted structures within The Jenkins Group of Companies. The Director shall be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight into all human resources, payroll and employee benefit functions for our retirement living communities, child daycare services, professional community care centres, and nursing homes across Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. 

The Director of Human Resources will foster a positive, responsive, and compliant HR framework while proactively aligning our organization and its employees in accordance with internal policies, standardized procedures and governing legislation.

Key Objectives:

The key objectives for this role will be to develop and guide talent practices that strengthen leadership capacity, support organizational growth, create informed decision making, and ensure talent solutions are maintained and scalable.  To foster a work environment that promotes highly performing teams, quality services, employee engagement, and organizational growth. 

The ideal candidate will be able to develop a proactive HR approach to people and culture, while being responsive in managing the implementation of policies, education-based training, programs, supporting our mission and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements. 

Team Leadership:

•  Provide leadership to HR staff across all locations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality HR and Payroll & Benefit services.
•  Build a collaborative culture that fosters teamwork, service excellence, and support for managers and employees.
•  Ensure HR teams have the training and resources needed to meet organizational goals.

Advice and Council:

• Provide strategic HR advice and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Support managers in employee relations, performance management, staffing strategies, training, and workforce planning.
• Ensure compliance with employment standards, employment law, health and safety regulations, licensing requirements, and long-term care standards.
• Act with a high sense of urgency while always being responsive and nimble to address needs.
• Create and develop strategies and programs that foster the overall goals and objectives of each organization.

Employee Relations: 

• Build and maintain a positive and productive relationship with employees, and management.
• Lead conflict resolution, investigations, and progressive discipline processes.
• Support union and non-union environments, including grievance handling and collective agreement interpretation.
• Collaborate on staff satisfaction initiatives and implement action plans for improvements.
• Create and manage HR policies to meet the needs of all organizations and that exhibit our unique culture.
• Develop and present information workshops for leaders and employees on process and procedures as well as The Berkeley standards and policies.
• Foster team building and promote an environment in which employees work cooperatively and supportively.

Performance Management:

• Design, implement, and refine performance management systems that drive accountability, employee engagement and development.
• Provide coaching and training for managers on performance evaluation and feedback processes.
• Support succession planning and leadership development initiatives.
• Participate in performance discussions as required.

Recruitment and Onboarding:

• Oversee the talent acquisition process across all organizations, ensuring the hiring of talented and qualified candidates.
  Coordinate strategies to address province-wide shortages in care and support roles.
  Ensure onboarding programs reflect organizational culture, regulatory requirements, and service excellence.
  Manage recruitment metrics and adapt strategies to workforce needs.
  Training and Development
• Assess organizational training needs and develop programs that promote staff growth and compliance.
  Support leadership development across multiple operational settings.
  Maintain training documentation for licensing and accreditation standards.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Oversee compensation and benefits plans to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
  Support payroll coordination and benefit program administration.
  Conduct reviews and provide recommendations for wage frameworks, pay equity, and job classification.

Health, Wellness, Safety:  

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with occupational health and safety legislation across NS and PEI.
• Oversee incident reporting, return-to-work programs, and employee wellness initiatives.
• Collaborate with Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committees to promote safe working environments.
• Participation in fire drills and adherence to all fire safety policies and protocols.

Compliance:

• Ensure all HR practices comply with provincial and federal regulations.
• Maintain awareness of legislation impacting long-term care, childcare, and residential living environments.
• Coordinate audits, inspections, and reporting requirement            

Requirements

Required Competencies 

Excellent Communication Skills          Decision Making                              Conflict Resolution

Relationship Building                             Delegation                                        Collaboration

Integrity                                                    Problem Solving                              Leadership

Change Management                            Accountability                                  Time Management

Confidentiality                                         Managerial Courage                      Critical Thinking  

Customer Centric                                   Assertive Negotiating Skills          Strategic Planning 

Adaptability

Qualifications

Minimum 8-10 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (master’s degree an asset).

Certification in Human Resources (CPHR) preferred.

Payroll Leadership Professional (PMP)

Knowledge of long-term care, childcare, or health-services environments considered a strong asset.

 Experience working across multiple locations or provinces preferred.

 Demonstrated ability to support both unionized and non-unionized settings.

 Strong knowledge of labour legislation in Nova Scotia and PEI.

 Exceptional communication, coaching, and organizational skills.

 Ability to travel between facilities across Nova Scotia and PEI as required.