Senior People & Culture Manager
(16-month Temporary Maternity Leave Contract)
Reports to: CEO
Location: Nanaimo
About Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC) and Hullo
We’re the Vancouver Island Ferry Company, a modern Canadian ferry company transforming how we travel in British Columbia. It’s all about being an easier, faster, and more enjoyable ferry experience.
Headquartered in Nanaimo and operating under our service brand Hullo, we will provide service between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo. We’re talking comfortable and reliable sailings in around 70 minutes, a seamless booking process complete with reservable seats, and refreshments that will be just that…fresh. Say goodbye to the biggest pain points of travel and be ready to be welcomed aboard with a smile and a “hullo”.
The Hullo Culture
At Hullo, we're all about taking things to the next level! Our obsession with safety and delivering an unforgettable guest experience is only matched by our passion for constant improvement. We don't settle for the ordinary - we encourage our employees to think outside the box, innovate and make waves. With data-driven decision making and a continuous improvement mindset, we are committed to raising the bar in everything we do.
VIFC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in our organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and any other category protected under applicable law. We welcome all qualified applicants who contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
About the Role
Hullo is seeking an experienced People & Culture professional to join the organization on a temporary contract to support a maternity leave coverage period.
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with legal counsel, operational leadership and union representatives, this role is responsible for leading day-to-day people operations across a unionized marine transportation environment. The position provides strategic and operational support in employee relations, labour relations, policy administration, workforce planning, investigations, recruitment, performance management, and organizational culture initiatives.
A key focus of this role will be supporting the implementation and administration of a new collective agreement while maintaining positive labour relations and operational continuity across marine, terminal, and corporate teams.
The role provides day-to-day HR leadership and support, while final authority on major employment, labour relations, compensation, discipline, termination, and organizational decisions remains with the CEO.
This role is based in Nanaimo, BC, with hybrid work flexibility available for candidates outside of Nanaimo.
Participation in an operational on-call rotation is required to support urgent crewing requirements outside regular business hours, with applicable lieu time provided.
Key Responsibilities
Employee & Labour Relations
- Implementation of the collective agreement in partnership with legal counsel and operational leadership
- Provide guidance and support to leaders on employee relations matters, performance management, workplace concerns, and policy interpretation
- Respond to employee concerns, investigations, and workplace conflicts in a timely, fair, and professional manner
- Coordinate grievance management processes, documentation, and follow-up activities with the union
- Maintain productive working relationships with union representatives and support collaborative labour relations practices
- Assist leaders with performance improvement processes, attendance management, and disciplinary documentation
- Support workplace investigations and ensure appropriate documentation, procedural fairness, and confidentiality are maintained
- Monitor emerging labour relations trends, risks, and compliance requirements
HR Operations & Compliance
- Manage People & Culture operations across marine, terminal, and corporate teams
- Maintain and administer HR policies, procedures, and employee records in alignment with employment legislation and collective agreement requirements
- Collaborate with legal counsel and leadership regarding employment matters, risk mitigation, policy interpretation, and regulatory compliance
- Support HRIS administration, reporting, and employee documentation management
- Assist with organizational planning, workforce changes, and operational people initiatives
- Coordinate onboarding activities and support employee lifecycle administration
- Support payroll processes as required by maintaining accurate employee records, scheduling data, and interpretation of applicable policies and collective agreement provisions
Recruitment & Workforce Planning
- Partner with department leaders to support recruitment planning and staffing needs across operational and corporate functions
- Lead full-cycle recruitment activities including sourcing, interviewing, selection, and onboarding coordination
- Support workforce planning initiatives in alignment with operational requirements and collective agreement provisions
- Participate in employer branding, recruitment events, and industry/community engagement initiatives as required
Culture, Engagement & Leadership Support
- Support initiatives that promote employee engagement, workplace culture, and organizational effectiveness
- Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on communication, employee management, and workplace best practices
- Assist with employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and wellness activities
- Support diversity, inclusion, and respectful workplace initiatives across the organization
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of People & Culture processes and programs
Qualifications & Experience
- 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably within a unionized environment
- Strong employee and labour relations experience, including grievance management and collective agreement interpretation
- Experience supporting workplace investigations, performance management, and conflict resolution processes
- Ability to work effectively with operational leaders, unions, and legal counsel in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of BC employment legislation and labour relations practices
- Experience within transportation, marine, logistics, or other operational industries considered an asset
- Strong communication, judgment, organizational, and relationship-building skills
- CPHR designation considered an asset
Working Conditions
- Temporary maternity leave coverage contract (16-Months)
- Hybrid work flexibility available for candidates outside of Nanaimo
We’re Here for You
We get it – sometimes things happen in life that you can’t control. At VIFC, people are our greatest asset, and we want to support you and those you care about beyond the pay cheque. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive health and wellness benefits program to promote your physical and mental well-being so you can perform at your best. Better yet, it’s flexible since one size doesn’t fit all!
- Extended Health & Dental Benefits from Day 1
- A robust, flexible health spending account – use it for additional health coverage should you need it and/or to support your personal wellness (like paying for your gym membership, sporting equipment, or activity classes)
- Don’t have a family doctor? No worries – we offer 24/7 virtual access to doctors or nurse practitioners to get medical advice or a prescription
- Annual Paid Vacation (pro-rated within the contract dates)
Pay: $95,000.00-$115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
