HR Manager, Health, Well-Being, and Benefits

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Manager, Health, Well-Being and Benefits oversees the strategic management of employee well-being initiatives, health promotion, occupational and non-occupational disability management, and benefits administration. This position assumes a lead role in the design, development, implementation and maintenance of a health and well-being strategy to support the achievement of VIU’s mission, goals, and objectives. The Manager leads the Employee Health, Well-Being, and Benefits team, with a strong focus on fostering a healthy workplace culture while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and collective agreements provisions. This position will handle sensitive and complex processes and work closely with employees at all levels of the institution, following established procedures to provide a high level of communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The Manager is responsible for setting the strategic priorities for the Health, Well-Being and Benefits team ensuring alignment with HR’s strategic direction.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field. Specialized training in and sound knowledge of health promotion, disability management or vocational rehabilitation, and disability accommodations. Professional designation such as RRP, CDMP, CRTWC or similar, or willing to obtain. Minimum six years of progressively senior experience in employee well-being, ability management, or HR specialist role, preferably in a unionized public sector environment. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

• Strong leadership skills and solid experience in developing team performance, learning and growth.
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and manage sensitive employee issues and emergent/critical incidents with tact, diplomacy and expertise while protecting the confidentiality of information.
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation, mediation, facilitation and coaching in complex work situations.
• Proficiency with HRIS, case management software, and Microsoft 365 including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to create well-structured, clear, and compelling written content that resonates with a diverse audience and promotes organizational well-being initiatives.
• Solid knowledge of the concepts, theories, practices and techniques of disability management and evidence-informed practice, including case management, attendance awareness, early intervention, stay-at-work and return-to-work programs.
• Thorough knowledge of legislation such as the BC Human Rights Code, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and relevant aspects of the Workers Compensation Act.
• Knowledge of collective agreement administration and interpretation, and labour relations principles and practices.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing well-being initiatives; experience in managing benefit programs, including disability management.
• Sound analytical thinking, strategic planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• Ability to respond to situations with a calm and steady focused approach.
• Demonstrated investment in personal health and wellness activities that help foster a healthy workplace culture.
• Proficiency with HRIS, case management software, and Microsoft 365 including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to create well-structured, clear, and compelling written content that resonates with a diverse audience and promotes organizational well-being initiatives.