Human Resources at UWinnipeg supports the University’s commitment to academic excellence & renewal; student experience & success; indigenization; research excellence, knowledge mobilization & impact; and financial & institutional resilience. Our core focus is to provide consultation, program development and key services to our faculty, staff and UW Community Partners through full-service people support.
Reporting to the Executive Director, Labour Relations & Wellbeing, the Wellbeing Specialist is a full-time continuing position that will lead and coordinate employee health and wellness initiatives for UWinnipeg’s faculty and staff. They will also be responsible for the administration of sick leave, LTD, return-to-work plans, and workplace accommodations. The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing a proactive, holistic wellbeing strategy that supports employee engagement, reduces workplace risk, and strengthens organizational health.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree in a health-related field (e.g., nursing, social work, occupational therapy) or a diploma in Disability Management or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ recent and related experience.
• Proven experience designing, implementing, and evaluating health and wellness initiatives in a complex organizational setting, preferably in a post-secondary or public sector environment.
• Hands-on experience managing sick leave, long-term disability (LTD), and return-to-work processes, including coordination with third-party providers with an understanding of applicable legislation and policies.
• Experience conducting or overseeing ergonomic assessments and developing appropriate accommodations in collaboration with health and safety or occupational health professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse internal stakeholders to develop and implement wellbeing initiatives that align with organizational goals and values.
• Experience creating and delivering educational content or awareness campaigns focused on employee wellbeing, mental health, or workplace culture.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS MAY INCLUDE:

• Certification in health promotion, disability management, occupational health, or ergonomics is preferred.
• Knowledge of relevant provincial legislation (e.g., Human Rights Code, Workplace Safety and Health Act) is preferred.
• Familiarity with enterprise risk frameworks as they relate to employee wellness is preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and maintain effective relationships with managers, employees, union representatives and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with advanced problem-solving skills to develop creative and innovative solutions for resolving complex issues.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute wellness programs and initiatives
• Ability to keep current on best practices in Disability Management and Accommodation
• Knowledge of all relevant Human Rights, health, and privacy legislation and applicable collective agreements.
• Proven ability to work across departments and teams to align wellness efforts with organizational goals and values.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Comfortable leading cultural change and championing a proactive approach to employee wellbeing within a complex organizational environment.
• Ability to work independently and make a positive contribution within a team environment.

• Design, implement, and evaluate employee health and wellbeing initiatives aligned with institutional goals and best practices
• Administer and coordinate sick leave, long-term disability (LTD), and return-to-work programs to ensure compliance, consistency, and support for employees.
• Coordinate requests for workplace accommodations and oversee ergonomic assessments to implement safe and inclusive accommodation solutions.
• Lead the rollout of the University’s comprehensive wellbeing strategy, fostering cross-departmental collaboration and long-term culture change.
• Develop and deliver educational resources, workshops, and communications to promote mental, physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of employees.