Associate Vice-President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer

Carleton University

  • Ottawa, ON
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 6 days ago
About Carleton UniversityCarleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G-7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world.Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada's most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university's smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing. At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work.The university's is an ambitious vision for the future, anchored in Carleton's strengths and student-centric, community-engaged values.Duties and Responsibilities:Carleton University is seeking a strategic, values-driven, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Associate Vice-President (Human Resources) and Chief People Officer (AVP HR & CPO). Reporting to the Vice-President (Finance and Administration), the AVP is responsible for leading the institution's human resources strategy in alignment with Carleton's mission, values, and strategic priorities. Carleton is a high-performing workplace that has been recognized as a Top 100 Employer for 3 consecutive years since 2022 and has been awarded Excellence Canada certifications as a Health Workplace (Order of Excellence), and Mental Health at Work (Platinum). This is a transformative leadership opportunity to foster a thriving workplace culture, guide operational excellence, and build institutional capacity through people and organizational development.As the most senior HR leader at Carleton, the AVP plays a pivotal role in shaping institutional direction, ensuring policy alignment, enabling workforce planning, and championing inclusion and well-being across the organization. They provide collaborative leadership across all HR functions in partnership with the Office of the Vice-President, Finance and Administration and the Office of Quality Initiatives, including labour and employee relations, recruitment and talent strategy, compensation and benefits, payroll, performance management, and organizational development.Qualifications:You are a trusted executive leader in human resources who brings a passion for people and organizational excellence. With deep expertise in labour relations, strategic HR planning, and inclusive leadership, you are known for your ability to build consensus, lead change, and drive cultural transformation. Your leadership style is collaborative, ethical, and emotionally intelligent, with a proven ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics. You are a strong communicator and mentor who fosters trust and motivates high-performing teams. You bring an unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and demonstrate a systems-level understanding of how people, policies, and institutional culture intersect. You are energized by the opportunity to contribute to a vibrant university community and support the academic mission through people-focused leadership.Education and Experience:The above is normally acquired through the completion of:
  • A bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related discipline; master's degree is preferred.
  • CHRP, CHRL, or other relevant HR designation is required.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in HR leadership, preferably within complex unionized environments.
  • Demonstrated experience with labour relations, organizational transformation, and employee engagement strategies.
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation, employment standards, health and safety, and pension administration.
  • Knowledge of how to lead digital transformation and use data in strategic decision-making.
  • Experience working in the higher education sector is an asset.
HR Note:Please to submit your application. The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on October 6, 2025.We welcome and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving groups. Carleton is committed to inclusive hiring and providing accommodations during the recruitment process upon request. Carleton University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. Support and accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities, upon request. Applicants in need of an accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process can contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or identify their needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.Health and Safety RequirementsThis position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, it is possible that you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health orders, directives and/or health and safety requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all University policies and directives, including to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume.You must before attempting to apply for any postion.Please confirm that you have updated your candidate profile, if you are a returning applicant. Please note your profile includes important screening information.

Carleton University