Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field (required)
Graduate degree (asset)
CPHR designation or willingness to obtain
Minimum 10 years progressive HR business partnering experience
Strong experience in multi-union environments (required)
Work experience in a senior HR generalist role including employee and labour relations, organizational development, and the full employee lifecycle
Responsibilities
Advise university leaders on organizational design and workforce planning.
Integrate HR insights into Faculty business planning.
Provide evidence-based recommendations for future workforce needs.
Lead and support organizational change initiatives.
Guide university leaders in cultivating a high-performance culture.
Resolve employee relations issues and ensure policy compliance.
Monitor compliance with labour laws and collective agreements.
Benefits
Opportunity to drive strategic HR initiatives and influence people strategy.
Environment supporting academic and administrative excellence.
Contribute to the Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan.
Collaborate with a diverse and inclusive community.
Professional growth opportunities within a respected institution.
Full Job Description
Description
The University of Calgary is seeking an experienced HR Partner (HRP) to drive strategic HR initiatives by working alongside clients to develop and deliver innovative people solutions that support faculty, staff, and leadership in achieving institutional excellence.
As an HRP, you will act as a trusted advisor and partner to senior leaders across the university to align HR strategies with business goals, ensuring an engaged and high-performing workforce. You will provide expertise in workforce planning, leadership coaching, employee relations, organizational development, client support, and project management, ensuring HR policies and practices support the university's mission. You'll help advance the Ahead of Tomorrow strategic plan and support the university's emerging Talent for Tomorrow priorities. This is a unique opportunity to influence people strategy, shape organizational culture, and contribute to an environment where academic and administrative excellence thrives.
Strategic Workforce Planning & Organizational Development
Advise Deans, Directors, and other university leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, change management, and future talent needs.
Integrate HR insights and data into Faculty/Unit business planning.
Identify emerging workforce risks and provide proactive, evidence-based recommendations to support long term planning and decision-making to reach Faculty and Unit goals.
Support institutional talent and workforce development priorities, including the Talent for Tomorrow plan, focused on building future capability.
Provide strategic recruitment guidance for senior or critical roles, partnering with Talent Acquisition and Total Rewards.
Lead and support organizational change initiatives, including restructures, business efficiency and process improvements.
Identify organizational development opportunities by analyzing engagement results, workforce trends, and team dynamics to inform targeted interventions.
Partner with university leaders to align HR strategies with institutional objectives, ensuring a workforce that is equipped for current and future challenges.
Drive strategic workforce planning by assessing talent needs, organizational design, and succession planning to support academic and administrative units.
Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement strategies for reskilling and upskilling employees in response to evolving educational and research demands.
Leadership Coaching & HR Strategic Consulting
Provide consultative support to Deans, Directors, and senior administrators on HR best practices, leadership development, and employee engagement.
Guide university leaders in cultivating a high-performance culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity.
Build leadership capabilities in the areas of conflict resolution, performance management, succession planning, and employee engagement.
Broker seamless HR support by collaborating with COEs across People & Culture.
Build strong, trusting relationships with leaders, staff, and union partners to enhance communication, problem solving, and shared accountability.
Employee Relations & Compliance
Serve as a mediator and trusted advisor in resolving employee relations issues, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies and best practices.
Monitor compliance with university policies, labour laws, and collective agreements, advising leadership on risk mitigation strategies.
Lead workplace investigations in accordance with the university's policies and procedures.
Qualifications Education & Credentials
Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field (required)
Graduate degree (asset)
CPHR designation or willingness to obtain
Experience
Minimum 10 years progressive HR business partnering experience
Strong experience in multi-union environments (required)
Public sector or postsecondary experience is an asset
Work experience in a senior HR generalist role including employee and labour relations, organizational development, and the full employee lifecycle
Knowledge & Skills
Strong working knowledge of Alberta employment legislation and the application of collective agreements
Strong communication, problem-solving, coaching, and influencing skills
Strength in conflict resolution, mediation, and navigating ambiguity
Thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
Proven ability to influence and build relationships with senior leaders and employees
Experience in organizational design, change management, and leadership coaching
Strong analytical and interpretive skills to recognize and comprehend complex issues, policies, regulatory and legislative requirements and information affecting clients' environment
High proficiency in HR technology systems (PeopleSoft preferred), data analytics, project management tools, and reporting platforms
What You Bring
You're someone who thinks strategically, exercises great judgment, and builds strong relationships with ease. You collaborate naturally, influence without needing formal authority, and bring a calm, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution. You're comfortable partnering with senior leaders and bring professionalism and discretion to every interaction. At the University of Calgary, these strengths fit right in. You'll join a community that values connection, innovation, and inclusion where people support one another, celebrate diverse perspectives, and work together to create a positive campus experience. This is a place where your voice matters, your work has impact, and you're encouraged to grow along with the organization.
Application Deadline: September 11, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website .
