Commissioner, Human Resources & Citizen Service

at  Region of Waterloo

OUR STORY:

Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect and innovation.
This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people’s lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.
The Role
Region of Waterloo Council has a compelling vision to build a world-class community, fueled by a thriving economy. We are driven by our “why” to Serve, Engage, and Inspire and are committed to building a world-class, inclusive, thriving, and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach, fostering opportunities for current and future generations. To achieve this, we work together to reimagine and shape the future so that our community remains a great place to live, learn, work, and play – for everyone. Our work and what we do is guided by our Strategic Plan and Focus Areas.
Reporting to the CAO and as a member of the Corporate Leadership Team, provides senior-level leadership and direction for the development and implementation of strategic priorities, policies, and objectives for the Corporation in the pursuit of building a world-class community, a world-class organization in which to work, and a culture of equity, innovation, and world-class service excellence.
In partnership with leaders across the corporation, advances the objectives of Council as outlined in the organization’s strategic plan and annual business plan, and ensures Departmental initiatives and programs are integrated and aligned with these priorities. Champions the development of initiatives both internal and external to the organization in the pursuit of developing a world-class Region.
In addition to Corporate Leadership responsibilities, provides senior-level leadership and direction for the development and implementation of strategic priorities, policies, and objectives for the Department, with overall responsibility for a diverse range of Divisions including: Total Rewards; Employee Relations and Emergency Management; Organization and People Partners; Talent Acquisition, Client Experience and Solutions; and Wellbeing and Occupational Health and Safety. Makes recommendations, and provides information and advice to the Chief Administrative Officer, Regional Council, and other regional agencies to enable timely and informed decision-making. Builds relationships within and outside the Department, and with elected officials, community stakeholders, area municipalities, and other government agencies. Models and champions the Region’s values, with a focus on understanding and meeting citizen and client needs.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer and other members of the Corporate Leadership Team to develop and implement strategic priorities, policies, and objectives for the Corporation. In partnership with leaders across the Corporation, works to advance the objectives of Council as outlined in the organization’s strategic plan and annual business plan.
• Participates as a member of the Corporate Leadership Team in developing and monitoring progress on the Region’s strategic priorities and initiatives, developing corporate policies, and identifying, developing, and inspiring transformational change in response to current and emerging needs.
• Provides senior-level leadership to the organization in areas involving vision, strategic alignment, employee engagement, transformation, change, continuous improvement and service excellence, and building and growing talent to meet staffing needs now and into the future.
• Promotes teamwork, collegiality, and collaboration across all Divisions in the Department, within the Region, and with external partners.
• Builds relationships within and outside the Department, and with elected officials, community stakeholders, area municipalities, and other government agencies. Models and champions the Region’s values, with a focus on understanding and meeting citizen and client needs. Brings a strong focus and commitment to coaching and supporting staff so they are enabled to develop supportive and strong relationships with clients.
• Makes recommendations and provides information and advice to the Chief Administrative Officer, Regional Council, and other Regional agencies to enable timely and informed decision-making.
• Oversees the Human Resources and Citizen Service Department and ensures that departmental initiatives and programs are integrated and aligned with the Region’s overall priorities and objectives.
• Ensures the effective and efficient delivery of programs and services consistent with the objectives of Regional Council and Provincial and Federal mandates. Ensures effective customer service is achieved through the development and implementation of sound business plans. Initiates procedural and operational changes.
• Provides leadership in developing and monitoring progress on departmental strategic plans and major initiatives to ensure they are implemented in accordance with the Department’s standards and mandates. Identifies and resolves obstacles. Guides, coaches, and mentors direct reports, enabling consistency in direction, alignment, and commitment across the organization.
• Oversees short- and long-range planning to effectively identify community needs and ensure sound strategies are developed to meet those needs.
• Ensures appropriate involvement of staff and the community in the development of departmental programs and policies. Champions addressing and removing barriers to equity, while improving the health and well-being of staff.
• Directs the Department’s administrative and financial planning, including budget recommendations to senior administration and Regional Council in accordance with departmental and corporate financial objectives.
• Provides overall direction on negotiation, conciliation, and interest arbitration processes and ensures the effective and consistent implementation of the employee relations strategy across bargaining groups. Recommends employee relations strategies and policies to Committee of Council for consideration and approval.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides HR advice and guidance to the Waterloo Regional Police Service and Waterloo Regional Police Services Board; heads the negotiation process for the Police Association on behalf of the board; recommends compensation for the Chief and Deputy Chiefs.
• Maintains contact with Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments on policy, procedures, and legislation. Represents the Region on external committees or associations as required. Mediates and negotiates conflicting interests between the Region and other parties for complex and precedent setting issues.
• Liaises with and responds to inquiries from other departments, other municipalities and levels of government/agencies, community and user groups, developers, the media, and the public.
• Performs related duties, as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the needs of the citizens of the Region of Waterloo.
• Progressive transformational leadership experience, including significant senior level experience developing and implementing strategic plans, policy, and objectives for a variety of human services in a large public sector organization.
• Expert knowledge of social change within communities, with demonstrated success inspiring continuous improvement in evolving services and programs to align with and in response to changing community and citizen needs now and into the future.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and growth for self and others with significant experience empowering others and building and growing high performing world-class teams. Results oriented with demonstrated ability to inspire and lead transformational change, and think strategically and creatively.
• Ability to lead transformative change in line with the vision and values of senior leadership while delivering on the expectations of an evolving workforce and regional residents.
• Known as a visionary leader who is well respected in the human resources field.
• Knowledge of service delivery models, with experience developing and implementing strategic plans, policy, and objectives for a variety of human services in a large private, not-for profit, or public sector organization.
• Superior public relations, negotiation, and presentation skills to advance priorities and balance objectives in a political environment to influence at all levels of the organization while executing ideas and decisions effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong, positive, respectful relationships.
• Ability to present issues and reports to Boards, Councils, and Committees, represent the organization on committees, and mediate and negotiate between conflicting interests on complex precedent-setting issues. Demonstrated skill in answering questions from members of Regional Council, special interest groups, staff, and the media, and representing the Department in planning and policy matters.
• Superior people leadership skills to help develop, empower, and motivate staff; foster a culture of teamwork, collegiality, empathy, and collaboration; develop strong, constructive working relationships and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to instill and express trust in members of the team and create strong, respectful relationships with staff, stakeholders, Council, and senior leaders.
• Ability to write clear, articulate reports and recommendations on a variety of complex issues for senior management and Regional Council. Ability to develop policies, procedures, and strategic objectives to ensure compliance with legislation and meet the Region’s strategic goals.
• Ability to keep current on emerging issues and trends, innovations, technologies, and professional leadership skills.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and model the Region’s values and ensure policy and standards are applied consistently. Ability to model and champion the department and corporation’s commitment to inclusion, human resources related legislation (e.g., labour relations, health and safety, pay equity, human rights code), and sound fiscal practices.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
We invite applicants to apply directly through the executive agency, KBRS, using their portal: Commissioner, HR And Citizen Service (kbrs.ca). For additional information, please contact Bola Moradeyo at bmoradeyo@kbrs.ca. The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the Region, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400, TTY number (519-575-4608) to request an alternate format. Please note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only those candidates selected for an interview with be contacted through email. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).

Duties/Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Chief Administrative Officer and other members of the Corporate Leadership Team to develop and implement strategic priorities, policies, and objectives for the Corporation. In partnership with leaders across the Corporation, works to advance the objectives of Council as outlined in the organization’s strategic plan and annual business plan.
• Participates as a member of the Corporate Leadership Team in developing and monitoring progress on the Region’s strategic priorities and initiatives, developing corporate policies, and identifying, developing, and inspiring transformational change in response to current and emerging needs.
• Provides senior-level leadership to the organization in areas involving vision, strategic alignment, employee engagement, transformation, change, continuous improvement and service excellence, and building and growing talent to meet staffing needs now and into the future.
• Promotes teamwork, collegiality, and collaboration across all Divisions in the Department, within the Region, and with external partners.
• Builds relationships within and outside the Department, and with elected officials, community stakeholders, area municipalities, and other government agencies. Models and champions the Region’s values, with a focus on understanding and meeting citizen and client needs. Brings a strong focus and commitment to coaching and supporting staff so they are enabled to develop supportive and strong relationships with clients.
• Makes recommendations and provides information and advice to the Chief Administrative Officer, Regional Council, and other Regional agencies to enable timely and informed decision-making.
• Oversees the Human Resources and Citizen Service Department and ensures that departmental initiatives and programs are integrated and aligned with the Region’s overall priorities and objectives.
• Ensures the effective and efficient delivery of programs and services consistent with the objectives of Regional Council and Provincial and Federal mandates. Ensures effective customer service is achieved through the development and implementation of sound business plans. Initiates procedural and operational changes.
• Provides leadership in developing and monitoring progress on departmental strategic plans and major initiatives to ensure they are implemented in accordance with the Department’s standards and mandates. Identifies and resolves obstacles. Guides, coaches, and mentors direct reports, enabling consistency in direction, alignment, and commitment across the organization.
• Oversees short- and long-range planning to effectively identify community needs and ensure sound strategies are developed to meet those needs.
• Ensures appropriate involvement of staff and the community in the development of departmental programs and policies. Champions addressing and removing barriers to equity, while improving the health and well-being of staff.
• Directs the Department’s administrative and financial planning, including budget recommendations to senior administration and Regional Council in accordance with departmental and corporate financial objectives.
• Provides overall direction on negotiation, conciliation, and interest arbitration processes and ensures the effective and consistent implementation of the employee relations strategy across bargaining groups. Recommends employee relations strategies and policies to Committee of Council for consideration and approval

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides HR advice and guidance to the Waterloo Regional Police Service and Waterloo Regional Police Services Board; heads the negotiation process for the Police Association on behalf of the board; recommends compensation for the Chief and Deputy Chiefs.
• Maintains contact with Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments on policy, procedures, and legislation. Represents the Region on external committees or associations as required. Mediates and negotiates conflicting interests between the Region and other parties for complex and precedent setting issues.
• Liaises with and responds to inquiries from other departments, other municipalities and levels of government/agencies, community and user groups, developers, the media, and the public.
• Performs related duties, as required