Human Resources Business Partner

True North

As the largest post-secondary institution in northern Alberta, Northwestern Polytechnic is a natural point of convergence for knowledge, skills, creativity, and collaboration. Striving to spark and empower success, NWP’s mission is geared towards both individual and collective progress. NWP offers a wide variety of engaging and in-demand academic programs in certificates, diplomas, apprenticeships, and degrees. We exist wholeheartedly for the domestic and international students who call our campuses home, the distinctive communities and industries we serve, and the staff and faculty who honour us with their expertise and insights every day. While our potential as one of Alberta’s newest polytechnics is ever-growing, we recognize the importance of having authentic and highly effective contributors by our side.

We are currently recruiting individuals who are inspired by opportunity, driven by results, and aligned to NWP’s core values of being responsive, innovative, and connected. Finding your fit in one of our specialized schools or departments means a bright future with competitive compensation, attractive benefits packages, reliable networks, high quality of life, and unparalleled learning community experiences. If you are looking to transform the post-secondary landscape with polytechnic education, research, and partnerships, Northwestern Polytechnic is your employer of choice.

The Role
The HR Business Partner functions collaboratively as a Human Resources team member to provide leadership and consultative services to ensure progressive people practices and sustainable workforce capability as part of the polytechnic strategic direction. The HR Business Partner will be integral in working with Unions/Associations to champion and implement changes across the institution. Areas of responsibility include:

• Provides interpretation, technical expertise and consultative services to leaders, staff and faculty regarding human resources requirements, Policies and Procedures, Terms and Conditions of Employment, Collective Agreements, and applicable legislation.
• Liaises with Unions and the Association and responds to issues/concerns on behalf of Management. Works collaboratively with all parties to proactively improve working relationships and conditions and retrospectively achieve resolution.
• Assists with preparation/research for collective bargaining and supports the Polytechnic’s bargaining team.
• Counsel/advise managers to ensure documentation exists to deal with issues/concerns effectively.
• Investigate and respond to concerns/issues before they become formalized grievances/complaints.
• Attend/perform/facilitate investigations on sensitive issues such as harassment complaints or staff disputes.
• Provide HR expertise in developing appropriate action plans to correct performance or behaviour.
• Advises leaders on the progressive discipline process, including assessing whether discipline is appropriate, identifying and advising of potential risks, preparing relevant documentation for discipline or termination, attending meetings with employees, and ensuring the union/association is informed.
• In partnership with leadership and the HR team, the HR team uses the full range of HR functional expertise and knowledge to identify opportunities and challenges in developing strategies related to process improvement, succession planning, restructuring, downsizing, budget changes, workforce planning, etc.
• Conducts research, surveys other organizations/institutions, and presents recommendations based on this information to Management.
• Carries out People & Culture department research (i.e., Benchmarking, Salary Surveys, Client Surveys, etc.) to support Collective Bargaining and to facilitate planning.
• With the HR team, develop and oversee the implementation of an institution wide recruitment strategy.
• Strategize with the hiring leaders to determine hiring needs, characteristics of most suitable candidate, appropriate selection and interview process, applicable interview members, and competition timelines.
• Create job postings and determine most effective job boards to advertise, while strategically identifying appropriate steps and dates to ensure successful hiring timelines.
• Regretting unsuccessful applicants, providing interview feedback, maintaining eligibility lists, and preparing offer letter requests.
• Monitoring the collection and storage of relevant competition records for providing recruitment statistics such as: numbers and types of positions, temporary versus permanent roles, internal versus external, advertising cost, number of applicants by competition, and timelines in fulfilling positions. This accurate data is essential in ensuring the integrity of the recruitment process and ensuring all relevant documentation is maintained and available for review if challenged.

This is a temporary full-time position from January 2, 2025 - March 31, 2025

The successful candidate must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Commerce or Human Resources. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. The necessary skills and attributes to be successful in this role include:

• HR Generalist, Advisor, or Labour Relations Specialist experience.
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) – Preferred
• Canadian Compensation Professional (CCP) – Considered an asset
• Registered Professional Recruiter Designation (RPR) – Considered an asset
• Public sector experience is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and HRIS software (Unit4, Workday) 
• Ability to build strong relationships across the organization.
• A high level of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and accountability.

How to Apply

Only applications received electronically through the Northwestern Polytechnic website will be considered.

We review all applications to select candidates whose qualifications and experience most closely meet our needs.

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. For general inquiries, don't hesitate to get in touch with HR at humanresources@nwpolytech.ca

Thank you for applying to NWP!