Associate Vice-President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer
Associate Vice-President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer
Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario (with some hybrid work)
Carleton University is searching for an outstanding administrative leader with strategic vision to serve as their next Associate Vice-President, Human Resources.
The University
Located in Ottawa on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, Carleton University is a dynamic and research-intensive institution committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and innovation. With over 31,000 students and a vibrant, inclusive campus culture, Carleton is known for its collaborative spirit, community engagement, and leadership in interdisciplinary scholarship. Carleton embraces a holistic approach to education and well-being, and is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous initiatives as central pillars of institutional success.
The Role
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.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Strategic Leadership and Workforce Planning: Leads the development and implementation of an integrated human resources strategy aligned with institutional objectives. Provides expert advice to the executive team on workforce planning, people management, and organizational development to ensure Carleton’s long-term success and sustainability.
People and Culture Leadership: Fosters a healthy, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture. Oversees talent strategy, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives and collaboratively supports employee leadership development. Builds internal leadership capacity and ensures clarity in roles and accountability within the HR function.
Labour Relations and Compliance: Leads Carleton’s professional services staff labour relations strategy and manages collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and arbitration processes. Ensures compliance with all relevant legislation, employment standards, and collective agreements while maintaining positive relationships with union partners.
Operational Excellence and Digital Transformation: Drives modernization of HR services, policies, systems, and service delivery models. Oversees payroll, benefits, job evaluation, and data analytics, and leads digital transformation efforts that improve operational effectiveness and user experience.
Institutional Engagement and Governance: Engages with the Board of Governors, campus partners, and external working groups to ensure alignment of HR practices with broader institutional goals. Collaborates with Equity and Inclusive Communities and other departments to embed inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices across the university.
The Ideal Candidate
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.
Qualifications and Experience:
This is an opportunity to shape the future of one of Canada’s leading universities by empowering people and supporting culture evolution. Carleton offers a supportive, collegial work environment, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a lasting impact in an institution that values innovation, compassion, and community.
To Apply
Please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'. 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.
The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on October 6, 2025.
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.
Candidates interested in this opportunity should contact Abbey MacLeod at amacleod@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca, or submit a full application package online by clicking 'Apply Now'
Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario (with some hybrid work)
Carleton University is searching for an outstanding administrative leader with strategic vision to serve as their next Associate Vice-President, Human Resources.
The University
Located in Ottawa on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, Carleton University is a dynamic and research-intensive institution committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and innovation. With over 31,000 students and a vibrant, inclusive campus culture, Carleton is known for its collaborative spirit, community engagement, and leadership in interdisciplinary scholarship. Carleton embraces a holistic approach to education and well-being, and is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous initiatives as central pillars of institutional success.
The Role
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.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
Strategic Leadership and Workforce Planning: Leads the development and implementation of an integrated human resources strategy aligned with institutional objectives. Provides expert advice to the executive team on workforce planning, people management, and organizational development to ensure Carleton’s long-term success and sustainability.
People and Culture Leadership: Fosters a healthy, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture. Oversees talent strategy, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives and collaboratively supports employee leadership development. Builds internal leadership capacity and ensures clarity in roles and accountability within the HR function.
Labour Relations and Compliance: Leads Carleton’s professional services staff labour relations strategy and manages collective bargaining, grievance resolution, and arbitration processes. Ensures compliance with all relevant legislation, employment standards, and collective agreements while maintaining positive relationships with union partners.
Operational Excellence and Digital Transformation: Drives modernization of HR services, policies, systems, and service delivery models. Oversees payroll, benefits, job evaluation, and data analytics, and leads digital transformation efforts that improve operational effectiveness and user experience.
Institutional Engagement and Governance: Engages with the Board of Governors, campus partners, and external working groups to ensure alignment of HR practices with broader institutional goals. Collaborates with Equity and Inclusive Communities and other departments to embed inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices across the university.
The Ideal Candidate
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.
Qualifications and Experience:
- 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.
- Strategic and systems thinker with a strong operational mindset
- Emotionally intelligent leader with empathy, integrity, and sound judgment
- Collaborative and consultative approach to leadership with a proven ability to manage change and foster cultural evolution
- Skilled communicator with strong relationship-building skills and political acumen
- Commitment to inclusive, equity-centered leadership along with a passion for employee development, psychological safety, and organizational wellness
This is an opportunity to shape the future of one of Canada’s leading universities by empowering people and supporting culture evolution. Carleton offers a supportive, collegial work environment, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a lasting impact in an institution that values innovation, compassion, and community.
To Apply
Please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'. 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.
The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on October 6, 2025.
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.
Candidates interested in this opportunity should contact Abbey MacLeod at amacleod@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca, or submit a full application package online by clicking 'Apply Now'