Description
Be a strategic HR leader in a world-class academic institution.
The University of Calgary is seeking an experienced compensation professional to lead our Total Rewards team as the Director, Total Rewards. This is a unique opportunity to influence Total Rewards strategy, shape organizational culture, and contribute to an environment where academic and administrative excellence thrives.
About the Role
As the Director, Total Rewards, you will provide strategic leadership to ensure that all Total Rewards programs and strategies are best in class, market competitive, and strategically aligned with the University's strategic plan in order to attract, retain, engage, and motivate employees.
This position will lead the Total Rewards team which is responsible for programs, policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to total compensation, employee benefit plans, pension plans, and employee recognition. This position will provide leadership in the development, implementation, communication, and administration of total rewards strategies and supporting programs that enable the organization to attract, retain and motivate top talent.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and counsel to the University community in all key elements of Total Rewards
- Build relationships with organizational leaders and external stakeholders
- Lead the Total Rewards team
- Drive innovative compensation, group benefit, pension, and employee recognition programs
Why Join Us?
At the University of Calgary, you'll have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and excellence. We offer:
- A meaningful role that contributes to academic success and institutional growth.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional development and leadership training.
- A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Who We're Looking For
- Compensation professional with 10 years of experience in Total Rewards
- A collaborative, forward-thinking leader with at least 5 years of leadership experience in a large and complex organization
- A creative problem solver with strong business acumen.
- Strong strategic thinker who can align Total Rewards initiatives with institutional priorities.
- An individual with expertise in compensation, group benefits, pension, and employee recognition
If you are ready to drive strategic Total Rewards transformation at one of Canada's leading universities, we invite you to apply today!
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Accountable for all aspects of the Total Rewards portfolio and overseeing the successful completion of cyclical Total Rewards functions encompassing all staff groups
- Align Total Rewards initiatives to the University's strategic plan
- Research, develop, initiate, implement and support new or modified approaches, practices and processes in the organization
- Through effective collaboration with internal and external partners, influence the direction of strategies and initiatives related to the Total Rewards portfolio
- Keep abreast of all Federal and Provincial regulatory and legislative changes and identify impacts related to Total Rewards
- Ensure the strategic use of resources in providing the effective and efficient delivery of total rewards related services
- Provide leadership to Total Rewards Centre of Expertise team including coaching, mentoring, guiding and supporting the career development of staff
- Oversee and lead staff workload allocation, tracking and optimization; recognize need for change across service areas and sets priorities accordingly
- Give clear feedback and set expectations around process excellence and continuous improvement
- Provide leadership in various committees and functions as needed
- Manage various third party contractual commitments and relationships. Work with Supply Chain Management to identify relevant total rewards vendors, take responsibility for contract development, vendor performance assessment and issue resolution and program development
- Under the direction of the AVP P&C, take responsibility for strategic initiatives and projects as directed
- Develop and monitor KPIs for organization/function; sharing trends and knowledge with internal stakeholders
- Contribute to an overall integrated People and Culture strategic framework
- Accountable for managing resources and budget within Total Rewards
- Work with finance on the effective management of the Central Benefits budget for the entire organization and approval of related transactions
- Review annual benefit planning and renewal reports and authorize changes to effectively manage benefit plans
- Decision maker on escalated Total Rewards issues, including exceptions and recommendations to the AVP, P&C
Qualifications/Requirements:
- A minimum of 10 years of recent, related experience within the field of total rewards, including 5 years in a senior leadership capacity in a large and complex organization
- Bachelor's degree in a related field is required; a related graduate degree would be an asset
- Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or a related HR designation is preferred
- Experience working in a unionized setting would be considered an asset
- Experience working in an academic or public sector environment would be considered an asset
- Extensive experience in in designing, developing and implementing best-in-class strategies, processes and programs related to compensation, benefits, pensions and recognition
- Leadership skills, including demonstrated ability and comfort with decision making responsibilities, coaching and teaching, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others
- Proven experience of successfully partnering with senior leaders and functional peers to assess complex situations and provide effective and practical advice considering operational interests
- Global and local market knowledge and analysis of Total Rewards trends and data for internal and external talent needs
- Highly developed team building, influencing, and collaboration skills are required
- Experience with managing significant budgets (e.g. benefits)
- Strong project management and change management skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage change and create innovative solutions for complex and diverse issues
- Experience with Human Resources Information Systems (i.e. PeopleSoft)
- Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and program management
- Impeccable attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment, including exceptional interpersonal and influential skills
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, this posting will remain open until a qualified candidate is found.
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
Recently ranked the most liveable city in North America and 5th in the world (2024) by The Economist Intelligence Unit, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to raise a family (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh-WugziiiHwMT44-sVwrA). Situated where the Canadian plains reach the sunny foothills of Canada's majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with an awe-inspiring mountains, lakes, rivers and gorgeous prairie.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
