Competition number: 25-097

As a valued member of the City's Senior Management Team, the Director of Human Resources will lead the City of Saint John's Human Resources operations, reporting to the Commissioner of Human Resources, Communications, and Customer Service, and support the future of public service delivery through bold, people-first leadership.

You will be responsible for delivering both strategic and operational excellence across all aspects of HR—including workforce planning, recruitment and retention, leadership development, labour relations, compensation and benefits, employee wellness, and DEI.

You will work closely with the City's senior leadership team, union partners, and talented HR staff to build a strong and resilient workforce aligned with the City's long-term vision and service priorities.

Who we are:

The City of Saint John is growing—and we're looking for a bold, strategic HR leader to grow with us. As Director of Human Resources, you'll join a forward-looking senior management team at a pivotal moment, helping to shape the future of a city on the rise. You'll lead transformational work that supports a skilled, engaged, and inclusive workforce—one that delivers exceptional public service to our community. Set on the powerful Bay of Fundy, Saint John offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant urban core rich in history, innovation, and opportunity—surrounded by stunning coastal nature that makes work-life balance more than a buzzword. With prosperity on the horizon and big goals ahead, there's never been a better time to be part of Saint John's story.

Who you are:

•You are a strategic HR leader who believes people are the heart of an organization's success and require - and deserve - a safe and healthy workplace. You thrive in complexity, bring clarity to ambiguity, and are passionate about building inclusive, high-performing cultures where employees can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

•You have a track record of extensive experience across multiple HR fields of discipline, leading impactful HR strategies and delivering results in unionized, multi-stakeholder environments. Whether from government, private industry, or the non-profit world, you understand how to develop talent, navigate change, and build modern people systems that empower teams.

•You are resilient and adaptable, able to respond to the changes and challenges facing today's workplaces—from fostering equity and inclusion to addressing workforce planning and development, to building strong labour relationships rooted in trust and collaboration. You see HR not as a support function, but as a strategic driver of organizational transformation.

•You are an independent thinker and leader who drives culture change, employee engagement, and leadership development. You don't wait to be given instruction, and you're not afraid to ask hard questions, spark meaningful conversations, and champion innovation that positions your organization as an employer of choice.

•You are a lifelong learner, curious and creative and willing to take calculated risks, knowing that sometimes they will fail as steps on the path to success.

Key Responsibilities

As the Director of Human Resources, your key responsibilities will include:

Human Resources operational leadership

•Lead and inspire a skilled HR team delivering services across payroll and pension, benefits, talent management, HRIS, performance, DEI, and employee wellness.

•Ensure seamless, high-impact delivery of HR programs that support employees across all departments.

•Drive continuous improvement of HR systems and processes, championing a modern, service-oriented approach to HR.

Human Resources strategic planning to drive and align with the City's strategic goals and priorities:

•Partner with senior leaders to shape and implement an HR strategy that fuels growth, innovation, and transformation.

•Create and refine policies that support a future-ready workforce and effective service delivery.

•Provide expert advice to leadership and Council on emerging workforce needs and strategic HR direction.

Employee Engagement and Organizational Culture

•Lead initiatives to gather employee feedback and shape a workplace culture grounded in inclusivity, adaptability, and engagement.

•Promote a resilient and learning-focused environment that empowers every employee to thrive.

Talent Planning and Leadership Development

•Oversee workforce planning to align talent with operational needs and long-term goals.

•Champion leadership development, succession planning, and DEI across all levels of the organization.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of ten years of progressively senior management positions in human resources managing and supporting multiple HR functions, ideally in a unionized setting, as well as five years direct experience in employment labour relations with a strong knowledge of applicable legislation.

The CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) accreditation and a university degree in human resource management or a related discipline are required. A university degree in human resource management or a related discipline at a masters' level would be an asset.

An equivalent combination of experience and education may also be considered.

What we offer to a successful candidate

•Competitive salary

•Competitive vacation entitlement and paid holidays

•Comprehensive group benefits plans

•Participation in a Shared Risk Defined Benefit Pension Plan from day 1 of your employment

•Eligibility to participate in the City's Flexible Time Options Program which includes flexible schedules and compressed work week (4-day work week) options, subject to business requirements

•Training and Development opportunities

•A diverse and inclusive workplace

•Sponsored Employee and Family Events

•Community Services Volunteer Program that provides for up to 2 days per calendar year to engage in volunteer opportunities to make a difference and give back to your community.

•A career that serves and supports your Community

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live and which we serve. We encourage and support applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups. Candidates who belong to such groups, who are qualified, will be given preference at the time of selection.

Applications will be accepted through our online system only. Qualified applicants should submit their cover letters and resumes to:

City of Saint John
Attn: Hiring Committee
www.saintjohn.ca (careers/employment opportunities)