HR Partner – Hybrid in Hamilton

At McMaster University, we strive to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual. McMaster is one of the Top 70 Universities in the World and is recognized as Canada’s Most Research-Intensive University. McMaster continues to be recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers.

The Faculty of Health Sciences, the largest Faculty within McMaster, is unique as the only Canadian university that combines schools of medicine (including two regional campuses), nursing, rehabilitation science, and the programs of midwifery, Bachelor of Health Sciences, physician assistant and postgraduate health sciences education within one faculty. Our pioneering approaches to education and our reputation for world-class research has consistently placed McMaster and the Faculty among the top 50 universities in the world for health and medicine.

Those who join FHS will find a community of 5,400 talented individuals who are inspired by the faculty’s commitment to our values of interprofessional collaboration, commitment to our communities, accountability, innovation, excellence, integrity, respect, and optimism.

The Faculty of Health Sciences Human Resources Office (FHS-HR) provides leadership, advice, support and resources to faculty and staff to foster the creation of an environment that is inclusive, diverse, and engaging. Working with our partners within the Faculty and beyond, we are responsible for recruiting a large and diverse number of individuals locally, nationally, and internationally. We support the over 2000 staff members as well as 890 full-time and 2800 part-time faculty members who help the Faculty to accomplish its mission and vision.

The HR Partner would provide focused leadership and coordination for one or more clinical or academic departments for all comprehensive human resources functions, working within a collaborative environment to ensure an inclusive, positive and productive workplace.

Job Summary: The HR Partner provides a full range of Human Resources management services and support to one or more clinical departments within the Faculty of Health Sciences to optimally support its diverse activities in administration, education and research. Reporting to the Senior HR Strategic Partner, the HR Partner provides full-cycle HR support to designated client groups, and is responsible for providing guidance and advice for TMG and staff, in the areas of employee relations, compensation and benefits, recruitment and selection, training and development, health and safety, orientation, terminations, retirement, human resources planning, leaves of absence, return-to-work, accommodation, and performance coaching and management.

This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with, and/or advocating for continuous improvements in, HR policies and procedures, requiring extensive knowledge of university policies and procedures as well as relevant external legislation (e.g. Employee Standards Act, Canada Human Rights Code, WSIA, etc.) and best practices. The incumbent partners with Faculty leadership and Departmental operational leaders to inform the Department’s strategic initiatives from the perspective of Human Resources planning, programs and initiatives, providing expertise and advising on the impact of HR decisions within the Department.

Accountabilities:

• Employee Relations: Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on human resources and organizational issues. Provides advice and guidance on employee and labour relations issues for unionized and TMG staff, engaging E/LR partners as required.
• Orientation: Develops and facilitates orientation program(s), packages, policies and procedures for all staff in collaboration with the Department Leader(s), engaging key stakeholders as necessary.
• Leaves of Absence, Return-to-Work, Accommodation: Coordinates and/or advises on leaves of absence, accommodations, performance management, and human rights/equity issues for staff in accordance with policies, procedures, and collective agreements where applicable.
• Performance Management: Advises on performance management including performance evaluations, disciplinary issues, coaching and mentoring strategies.
• HR Administration: Identifies and implements process improvements in the area of Human Resources. Ensures effective records management for all areas of HR, including management of personnel files and confidential information.
• Talent Management: Recommends talent management and EDI practices that support the Department’s strategic plan. Provides full-cycle recruitment support, develops job descriptions, job postings, and supplementary materials for posting process according to relevant University guidelines.
• Training & Development: Develops, coordinates and provides HR training to faculty/staff supervisors as needed consulting with key stakeholders.
• Health and Safety: Coordinates health and safety programs, advises on and monitors compliance to required health and safety training.
• Other: Builds strong relationships and networks across the Department and the organization. Continually drives HR functional excellence and process improvement.

Skills and Qualifications:

• University degree with a focus in Human Resources/Industrial Relations; CHRL designation strongly preferred.
• 5-7 years’ HRBP/HR generalist experience, preferably in a large, unionized environment.
• Experience in an academic setting is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and address employee and policy issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and well-developed communication skills.
• Computer proficiency with high level of competence in Microsoft Office applications; knowledge and experience with PeopleSoft is an asset.

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence.