Employer: Marine Atlantic

Title: Director, People Relations and Culture

Position: Full Time Permanent

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday (8:00 am - 4:30 pm) with additional hours as required.

Job Location: North Sydney, Nova Scotia or Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador

Compensation Package: Highly competitive compensation package based on experience, vacation entitlement, paid sick time, stat holidays, long term disability, health and dental benefits (cost shared), defined benefit pension plan, personal time, extensive professional development and training opportunities and more!

Application Closing Date: August 13th, 2025 @ 11:59 PM, or until the position has been filled.

How to Apply: Apply through the Marine Atlantic website, Director, People Relations & Culture

Anchored Recruiting is delighted to partner with Marine Atlantic to find a Director, People Relations and Culture to join their team.

Marine Atlantic is a Federal Crown Corporation that provides a vital ferry service link between Newfoundland and Labrador and mainland Canada. Marine Atlantic's mission is to provide a safe, environmentally responsible, and quality ferry service between the Island of Newfoundland and the Province of Nova Scotia in a reliable, courteous and cost-effective manner.

Marine Atlantic provides a positive and inclusive work culture that is dedicated to creating an environment that promotes employee growth, career development, and job satisfaction. Experience the pride of working with a diverse organization with newly constructed and revitalized infrastructure that has positioned itself for future sustainability.

Reporting to and in collaboration with the Vice-President, Human Resources, the Director of People Relations and Culture leads and oversees all HR functions for Crewing, Labour Relations, and Recruitment. The Director recommends strategic HR objectives aligned with departmental and corporate goals and, with the HR Managers and staff, develops and implements key programs for vessel crewing, collective bargaining, labour relations, and employee recruitment and retention.

Ignite change and champion our workforce: Lead strategic HR, shape labour relations, and drive talent acquisition as our next Director!

Core Accountabilities:

• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, and collective agreements, maintaining positive relationships with union representatives and employees.
• Lead the development of the collective bargaining strategy and serve as the lead negotiator for the renewal of collective agreements that occur within the mandate expectations.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to senior management on labour relations matters, including workplace conflict, collective bargaining, grievance handling, arbitration, and mediation.
• Conduct investigations, discipline staff according to the progressive discipline policy, participate in grievance procedures and arbitrations, and administer collective agreements.
• Provide direction and guidance to the Crewing Department to ensure effective and consistent scheduling of vessel staff in compliance the collective agreements, policies, regulations, and employment requirements.
• Oversee the development and implementation of effective employee staffing and scheduling strategies and systems to optimize operational efficiency, work-life balance, and customer service while meeting regulatory requirements.
• In collaboration with all stakeholders, develops and monitors a comprehensive recruitment strategy to ensure programs, initiatives including talent pipelines into the organization are in place to ensure current and future staffing requirements are proactively identified and sustained.
• Leads and supports the development of specific initiatives to promote the recruitment, onboarding and retention of qualified individuals from equity deserving groups to enhance a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Qualifications:

• University Degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in a related senior management role, minimum of ten (10) years of total experience in a relevant role, or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training, and experience in a related position is required.
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) Designation is considered an asset.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Broad and in-depth knowledge of progressive practices, trends, etc. in all key facets of HR aligned with this role and demonstrated experience successfully implementing such practices.
• Proven ability to establish the HR functions as a value-added, strategic player in the organization's success.
• Excellent leadership, managerial and motivational skills demonstrating the ability to create an HR team that exceeds expectations within a healthy workplace environment.
• Skill and ability to drive organizational change in a manner that fosters collaboration.
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, excellent influencer and relationship builder.
• Proven success leading the implementation of multiple projects and initiatives to drive HR change in the organization.

Requirements:

• Clear criminal record check
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical

Marine Atlantic invites applications from all qualified candidates and hires on the basis of merit. We are committed to the principles of equitable employment for all and strongly encourage applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members. If you are a member of one or more of these groups, please state to which group(s) you identify in your cover letter, resume or application.

If interested in this opportunity, please click the 'Apply' button. Please note this position will remain open until filled. Applicants will be reviewed in two-week windows.

All information collected will be shared with our client, Marine Atlantic. By submitting this application, Anchored Recruiting & HR Solutions LTD. will be adding you to the talent pool database. You may be contacted regarding future job opportunities. Please note that this position is open to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents only.