About the York Region Children’s Aid Society
The York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to ensure the well-being, best interests and protection of children and youth from abuse and neglect.
As a leader within the child welfare sector, we partner with parents, caregivers, and the community to provide a safe environment for children and youth through equitable, culturally aligned services.
Comprised of interdisciplinary teams of diverse professionals who push boundaries in support of child, youth, and family-centred care, we engage with children, youth, and families for a stronger, healthier community within the York Region.
YRCAS is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role and generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace and community where children, youth, and family well-being is prioritized.
About the Role
To support us on our journey, YRCAS is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to join the executive management team as Director of People and Culture.
This pivotal role is responsible for guiding the strategic vision and operational delivery of the People and Culture function, ensuring the agency fosters a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture that reflects our mission and values.
The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of inclusive leadership and human resources expertise, with the ability to inspire and manage a high-performing team.
Their empowering approach will promote collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, collective agreements, and best practices tailored to the child welfare sector.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of People and Culture leads all aspects of human resources, including workforce planning, labour relations, employee engagement, compensation, occupational health and safety, and organizational development.
This leader partners closely with directors, managers, and union representatives to implement innovative and equitable HR strategies that support employee well-being and agency sustainability.
Beyond operational leadership, the role plays a vital part in shaping organizational culture through data-informed decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and policy development.
The Director champions equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, fostering an environment where every team member is empowered to contribute meaningfully to YRCAS’s success and the well-being of the communities we serve.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic People and Culture Leadership
- Lead integrated HR strategy aligned with agency’s mission and values
- Advise CEO and senior leaders on workforce planning, succession, and change management
- Champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in HR policies and practices
- Engage stakeholders and use data-driven insights to guide initiatives
People and Culture Team Leadership
- Foster a collaborative, innovative, high-performing HR team
- Define roles, expectations, and promote continuous improvement and recognition
- Support professional development and coach HR staff
Employee Relations
- Promote respectful, fair, and engaging employee relations
- Oversee ethical HR practices, policy communication, and performance management
- Monitor trends and update policies to ensure alignment and effectiveness
Labour Relations
- Lead collective bargaining, contract administration, and union relations
- Act as lead spokesperson in negotiations
- Advise management on discipline, attendance, and contract interpretation
Policy, Compliance and Legal Guidance
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, collective agreements, and standards
- Develop and review People and Culture policies
- Chair the People Committee and deliver related training
Service Delivery and HR Analytics
- Ensure effective, client-focused HR service delivery using technology and feedback
- Use data to optimize operations and resource use
Occupational Health and Safety and Wellness
- Promote safe, healthy work environments
- Oversee health and safety compliance, mental health initiatives, and accommodation processes
Compensation Administration
- Manage fair, consistent compensation, job classification, and benefits
- Guide salary reviews aligned with internal equity and market trends
Required Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of human resources principles, labour relations, and best practices within unionized and non-unionized environments.
- In-depth understanding of employment legislation, collective agreements, and compliance requirements relevant to the child welfare and nonprofit sectors.
- Strong understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive frameworks.
- Proficient in HR information systems (HRIS), Microsoft 365 Suite, and HR data analytics tools.
- Demonstrated skills in strategic workforce planning, organizational design, and change management.
- Proven expertise in negotiation, conflict resolution, and labour relations strategies.
- Excellent leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities with a focus on building collaborative and high-performing teams.
- High emotional intelligence, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality in managing sensitive employee matters.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders clearly and professionally.
- Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities under pressure and changing priorities.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and psychologically safe work environment.
- Experience in the child welfare or social services sector is considered a strong asset.
Qualifications, Education, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, industrial relations with a focus on human resources, or a related field from an accredited educational institution. A master’s degree is preferred.
- Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation through the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) is required.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive human resources leadership experience, preferably in unionized, nonprofit, public sector, or healthcare environments.
- At least 5 years of management experience leading diverse and high-performing teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in strategic HR planning, labour relations, collective bargaining, and organizational change management.
- Experience working within the child welfare or social services sector is considered an asset.
- Certification or training in diversity, equity, and inclusion is an asset.
- A combination of recent and relevant education, experience, and professional designations will be considered.
Why Work for YRCAS?
- Hybrid working model (working virtually and in person)
- Casual dress code
- Employer-paid group insurance and health and dental benefits
- Four weeks of vacation accrued per calendar year
- Five float days per calendar year
- One day off every three weeks during the winter months
- Shortened summer hours
- OMERS Pension, with employer and employee sharing premiums equally
- Enhanced wellness initiatives with virtual fitness classes
- CAA membership reimbursement
We appreciate all applications received. All communications will be held in strict and professional confidence.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their submissions.
Employment at York Region Children’s Aid Society is conditional upon the verification of credentials, a satisfactory vulnerable sector check, a class “G” driver’s license with daily access to an insured vehicle, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination (two doses required), as per YRCAS’ Mandatory COVID-19 policy.
York CAS cares about the health and safety of its employees and closely follows the Public Health Guidelines and Recommendations. The mandatory vaccination requirement as it relates to employment is currently suspended.
Should the mandatory vaccination requirement be reinstated, the successful candidate will be required to comply with YRCAS’ Mandatory COVID-19 policy (providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination [2 doses required]).
Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism at York Region Children’s Aid Society
YRCAS is committed to having a workforce that reflects the diversity of York Region and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
York Region Children’s Aid Society is committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices is a key aspect of the search process.
The current posting is in search of candidates who identify from the following equity-seeking groups: women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I
f you are of the aforementioned identities, and feel comfortable making it known, you may choose to self-identify as a member of a designated group.
Any information directly related to you is kept confidential and used in a safe manner to inform our recruitment process towards being an equal opportunity employer.
Accommodation at YRCAS
We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier-free. Accommodation will be provided per the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Applicants who may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify the Human Resources Department when contacted for an interview.
Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process, which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.
How to Apply
To express interest in this exciting opportunity, email your cover letter and resume to:
Kelly Cline, Search Consultant
Email: kcline@feldmandaxon.com