Director, People Experience & Organizational Development

Position

Description

Reporting to the Vice President, People(s), Culture, and Experience, the Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across a broad portfolio. The Director will play a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the organization’s culture and effectiveness. By assessing organizational needs, they will design and implement programs that foster professional growth, particularly among executives and emerging leaders. Their responsibilities include managing organizational development strategies, leading change management initiatives, and providing expert coaching to supervisors and managers. In the realm of Learning and Development, the Director will be instrumental in cultivating a culture of continuous learning. They will develop strategic L&D plans that align with organizational objectives, design comprehensive training programs, and integrate learning initiatives with performance management processes.

The ideal candidate brings a track record of progressive HR leadership, particularly in complex, multi-union environments. A natural relationship-builder and change agent, the Director will bring a strategic, systems-level perspective on talent and organizational development, while remaining grounded in the realities of front-line service delivery. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the foundation of a new health system, where the people experience is central to delivering excellent, equitable care.

Key Leadership Priorities for the new Director will be to:

1. Support the development of the People Strategy: Shape and implement a unified, forward-looking people strategy that supports WRHN’s transformation, aligns with organizational values, and meets the needs of a dynamic, multi-site health system. This includes supporting strategic workforce planning, leadership development, and inclusive talent practices that support both operational and cultural goals.
2. Advance Organizational Development and a Culture of Engagement: Lead initiatives that build internal capacity, strengthen leadership, and promote a high-performance, values-driven culture. Champion change management, employee recognition, and engagement strategies that connect people to purpose and enable success across all levels of the organization.
3. Build and Develop a High-Performing Team: Provide leadership to a newly forming team, promoting collaborative engagement, leadership development, and mentorship to support the broader strategic goals of the organization. Champion a values-based approach to leadership and team development.
4. Drive Innovation and Transformational Change: Lead the modernization of people practices through thoughtful integration of digital tools, technology, and new ways of working. Embrace innovation as a means to better support the workforce and ensure HR services are responsive, scalable, and future-ready.

Experience Required

The ideal candidate for this Director role is an accomplished leader with experience in health care or a similarly complex, unionized, and multi-stakeholder environment. As a proactive, outcomes-driven professional, they bring a strong record of leading through transformation, supporting cultural integration, and strengthening organizational performance during periods of significant change. With deep expertise in organizational development and learning, the Director is adept at building high-performing teams, aligning people strategies with organizational goals, and advancing inclusive, people-centered workplaces. They bring a systems mindset and are skilled at developing programs that strengthen leadership, enhance engagement, and support the full employee lifecycle.

To confidentially explore this opportunity, please email your resume, quoting the appropriate position title to resumes@promeus.ca.  An Executive Brief is available upon request.

Employer

The former Grand River Hospital (GRH) and St. Mary’s General Hospital (SMGH) have formed an extraordinary, highly integrated, and progressive partnership, and on April 1^st, 2025, merged into the Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). The integration of these two legacy hospitals marks a strategic collaboration in creating a regional healthcare system, designed to meet the evolving needs of the Waterloo region. As the newly formed WRHN launches and sets its sights on shaping the future of care, a new leadership opportunity has emerged within the People, Culture, and Experience portfolio: Director, People Experience & Organizational Development.

Waterloo Regional Health Network and Promeus Inc. are committed to building an intentionally inclusive environment that engages, supports, and empowers employment equity and diversity in the workplace and communities served. We welcome applications from women, racially visible individuals, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ+ persons.