For over 50 years, the Northern Lakes College vision has been to increase accessibility to educational opportunities. With 25 locations across northern Alberta, program sites throughout Alberta, and a unique Supported Distance Learning model, students can access quality educational opportunities without leaving their community. Students can study from the comforts of home, work, on the road, or from one of the many College locations. Northern Lakes College offers a variety of university transfer, diploma, and certificate programs, including Academic Upgrading, Business & Administrative Studies, Health & Human Service Careers, Pre-Employment & Apprenticeship Trades, Resource Technology, University Studies, and Continuing Education & Corporate Training certificates and courses. The college supports and promotes professional development and wellness opportunities and provides employees with an attractive benefits plan and competitive salaries. The College service region offers numerous recreational activities for the entire family to enjoy!
Northern Lakes College has the following ongoing position available:
Director, Human Resources (Internal)
Salary: $108,636 to $141,745 per year
Location: Slave Lake
July 1, 2026 to Ongoing
Qualifications:
- Degree in human resources/labour relations, management, or other relevant discipline
- At least five (5) years’ related experience in Human Resources, with knowledge in labour relations
- Experience with a Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and Microsoft Suite
- A clean criminal record check prior to commencement
- A valid Class 5 driver’s license
- A combination of education, training, and experience may be considered
Assets:
- Experience working in a unionized and/or post-secondary environment
Nature and Scope of Work:
Reporting to the Executive Director, Human Resources and Health & Safety, this position is responsible for overseeing union-management and employee relations. This includes coordinating and acting as a participant in the collective bargaining process, advising management and unions on the interpretation and application of the collective agreements and legislation, and managing the grievance process. This position is also responsible for the supervision of recruitment. In the absence of the Executive Director, Human Resources and Health & Safety, the Director, Human Resources may perform the role of the Executive Director.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining
- Planning and coordinating processes relating to contract negotiations to ensure the College is prepared to commence collective bargaining within contractual and legislated time frames
- Assist the Executive Director in establishing the bargaining committee, preparing reports and recommendations for bargaining proposals, and mandates for the Executive Director
- Act as an integral member of the bargaining committee, including researching, costing proposals, and preparing and/or reviewing drafts of collective agreement language
- Ensures that negotiations are properly documented
- Responsible for preparation and compilation of collective agreements and letters of understanding
- Educate management on negotiated contract changes and assist with implementation where required
- Provide advice and information to managers on the interpretation and application of the collective agreement and on working legislation and policies
- Provide guidance to management personnel on accommodation issues and on the appropriateness of disciplinary and non-disciplinary actions including monitoring discipline to ensure consistency
- Develop labour relations skills for managers by developing, implementing, and facilitating training
- Co-ordinate and support the grievance handling process, ensuring compliance with contractual timelines
- Assist the Executive Director in working with union and management to resolve grievances at an early stage
- Assist the Executive Director in conducting grievance investigations and monitor grievance activity to identify underlying issues and work to resolve those issues
Human Resources Management and Employee Relations
- Acts in a supervisory role for the Human Resources Department
- Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the performance of assigned Human Resources staff; provides coaching for performance improvement and staff development
- Oversees and implements effective recruitment and staffing strategies to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates
- Participates in the recruitment process including drafting and signing offers of employment and reviewing/creating job descriptions
- Liaising with employees, management, Long Term Disability (LTD) carrier providers, Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB), and medical practitioners to coordinate activities for gradual return to work, accommodations, and modified duties
- Responsible for conducting workplace investigations that align with policies, procedures, regulations, and collective agreements
- Conducts classification reviews and presents recommendations to the Executive Director on classification changes as required
- Responsible for the administration of the Employee Assistance Program
Policy Development, Research, and Organizational Support
- Analyze data, conduct research, and prepare reports on a variety of labour relations and compensation issues including participating in compensation data surveys
- Development of Human Resources policies, procedures, and regulations
- Participate in committees as appropriate
- Perform related Human Resources work as required
Skills/Knowledge:
- Considerable knowledge of workplace legislation (Labour Relations Code, Human Rights Act, Employment Standards Act, Post-Secondary Learning Act, Public Service Employee Relations Act), and leading labour law and human rights decisions
- Considerable knowledge of the procedures, practices, and techniques used in collective bargaining and labour management negotiations
- Knowledge of grievance and arbitration processes and other dispute resolution mechanisms
- The ability to assist management in preparing documents as it relates to employee issues and the collective agreement
- Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization
- Ability to take a broad College-wide view when making decisions and solving problems including anticipating future needs and identify potential opportunities and challenges
- Ability to investigate facts, analyze and interpret collective agreements, legislation, and develop labour relations strategies
- Ability to present ideas effectively and persuasively, in both written and oral form, including preparation and presentation of reports
- Ability to update and develop labour relations policies, procedures, and regulations
- Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity
Contacts (Internal and External):
- College Staff and Faculty
- Senior Leadership
- Program Chairs, Associate Deans, Managers, and Deans
- Other colleges and institutions
Successful candidate must provide College or University transcripts and a clean Criminal Record Check to Human Resources prior to commencement.
Please submit a resume quoting the reference number NLC-2298 to: Northern Lakes College, Human Resources, 1201 Main Street SE, Slave Lake, AB T0G 2A3 or alternatively Fax: 780-849-5881
Closing Date: Date June 28, 2026
Note: Northern Lakes College thanks all applicants for their interest in employment; however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
