Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) is a community of learning grounded in scholarship and academic freedom, preparing students to be independent thinkers, ethical leaders and citizens for the common good.
CUE campus is situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton’s historic Highlands neighborhood. Supporting a student body of nearly 3,000, we are known for our small class sizes and our excellence in teaching. Our small classes and diverse student population provide an excellent opportunity for engaging with students in a sustained and nurturing way unique within the Canadian university system. CUE is an institution that values research in the sciences, social sciences, humanities and management. Our vision is to become Canada’s preeminent small university.
CUE is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for work, study, and living. We actively promote dignity for all, rejecting action and language that are harmful to mutual respect.
Job Purpose
The Director, Human Resources provides operational and strategic leadership across core HR and payroll functions in support of institutional priorities and an enhanced employee experience. Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President, Human Resources / Labour Relations (AVP HR/LR), the Director is responsible for the effective delivery, integration, and continuous improvement of HR and payroll services, programs, and systems.
This role translates HR and payroll strategy into operational execution, ensuring consistency, compliance, service excellence, and alignment with CUE’s mission, values, and people strategy. The Director plays a key leadership role in strengthening HR’s credibility as a trusted, responsive, and solution-oriented partner across the institution.
Duties and Responsibilities:
HR Operational Leadership & Service Delivery
- Lead day-to-day HR operations ensuring timely, consistent, and high-quality service delivery across all client groups.
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Implement HR and payroll strategies, policies, and programs developed by the AVP HR/LR.
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Oversee the operational execution of recruitment, onboarding, HR advisory services, performance processes, and employee lifecycle management.
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Ensure HR and payroll processes are efficient, standardized, and continuously improved to enhance the employee and manager experience.
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Act as escalation point for complex HR or payroll issues requiring advanced interpretation, judgement, or coordination.
Team Leadership & Functional Oversight
- Provide direct leadership and supervision to staff as assigned.
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Build a high-performing, service-oriented team grounded in accountability, collaboration, and professionalism.
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Establish clear service standards, workflows, and performance expectations across HR functions.
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Support capability development within the HR team, including coaching, succession planning, and technical HR expertise development.
Payroll Oversight & Management
- Provide overall operational oversight for the institution’s payroll functions, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing.
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Ensure full compliance with all federal and provincial payroll regulations, statutory deductions, tax reporting, and year-end processes (e.g., T4 generation).
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Establish robust internal controls, auditing mechanisms, and reconciliation workflows for payroll and benefits data to maintain high accuracy.
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Collaborate with Finance to ensure seamless coordination between payroll delivery, general ledger mapping, and institutional budget tracking.
Labour & Employee Relations Support
- Support the AVP HR/LR in the administration and interpretation of collective agreements.
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Lead or support investigations, and employee relations case management as assigned.
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Ensure consistent application of employment policies, practices, and collective agreement provisions.
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Contribute to positive labour-management relationships through responsive and principled HR practices.
Recruitment, Talent & Workforce Support
- Oversee recruitment operations, ensuring consistent application of selection processes and equity principles.
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Support workforce planning implementation in collaboration with senior leaders and the AVP HR/LR.
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Ensure onboarding processes are standardized, effective, and aligned with organizational culture and retention goals.
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Monitor recruitment metrics and recommend improvements to improve time-to-fill and quality-of-hire.
HR Systems, Data & Process Modernization
- Oversee HRIS and payroll data integrity, HR workflows, and system functionality in collaboration with IT and Payroll.
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Lead implementation and optimization of HR processes and digital tools to improve efficiency and user experience.
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Support reporting and analytics to enable data-informed decision-making for HR and leadership.
Organizational Development & Employee Experience
- Support implementation of employee engagement, recognition, and performance management initiatives.
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Contribute to initiatives that strengthen workplace culture, inclusion, and employee wellbeing.
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Assist in change management activities related to HR transformation or organizational initiatives.
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Identify operational barriers impacting employee experience and recommend practical solutions.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure HR and payroll operations comply with applicable legislation, regulations, and internal policies.
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Enhance and support occupational health and safety policy and processes in collaboration with designated leads.
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Maintain confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity in all HR documentation and processes.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong operational HR and payroll leadership experience.
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Demonstrated knowledge of service delivery models and modern operating systems.
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Working knowledge of labour relations principles and collective agreement administration.
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Strong ability to translate HR strategy into operational execution.
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High proficiency in systems, data interpretation, and process improvement.
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Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
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Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
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Sound judgement, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters.
Education and Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Management or related field required.
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CPHR or CPM designation (or working toward) preferred.
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7+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or HR management capacity, with exposure to payroll oversight.
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Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
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Ability to pass a clear criminal record check required.
Direct Reports:
- Human Resources Advisor (2)
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Payroll Administrator
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Human Resources Coordinator
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Benefits Coordinator
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Human Resources Administrator
Working Conditions:
- Office environment with extended computer use.
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Occasional requirement for extended hours during peak operational periods (e.g., recruitment cycles, labour relations matters, system implementation).
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Occasional attendance at meetings, events, or stakeholder sessions requiring standing or travel.
Closing Date:
Application review will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Please direct all questions and inquiries to Human Resources at Concordia University of Edmonton [email protected].
Concordia University of Edmonton encourages applications from members of racialized groups, visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, women, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and others who may support a diversity of perspectives at CUE. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
