[Hiring] Senior Specialist, People, Engagement, and Learning @MakeWay

Role Description

Do you thrive in environments where no two days are the same and where your work has a meaningful impact? MakeWay is looking for an experienced HR professional to provide relational and responsive people support to our Northern staff and projects. You'll help navigate complex people matters, build leadership capacity, and strengthen people practices that reflect the unique realities of Northern communities while ensuring MakeWay meets its responsibilities as an employer across multiple jurisdictions.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as the primary People, Engagement, and Learning (PEL) contact for Northern Shared Platform projects as well as the Foundation’s Northern Program team.
• Provide guidance on employee relations matters fostering resolution strategies rooted in justice, equity, diversity and inclusion from a Northern context.
• Work closely with the Northern Program team to provide coordinated and relational support to Northern projects and staff, including:
  • Supporting Shared Platform projects in navigating complex and sensitive situations using a trauma informed approach; this could include leaves, accommodations, workplace conflict and employee concerns.
  • Providing advisory support in areas of recruitment, people planning, and performance management.
  • Working with Project Directors and Steering Committees to ensure appropriate HR policy and governance structures are in place for Shared Platform projects.
  • Helping to build Project Director capacity in people management through coaching, guidance, tools, and proactive support.
  • In collaboration with the Senior Manager, PEL, support compliance with employment legislation and PEL policies across the Northern Territories.
  • Working closely with the PEL team, support the implementation of PEL policies, procedures, process improvements and initiatives in ways that are practical and accessible for Northern projects and teams.
  • Acts as a key connector between Northern PEL and cross-organizational PEL initiatives, supporting alignment and participation within people programs.
  • Identify trends, risks, and support needs across Northern Projects and teams and provide recommendations to the Senior Manager, PEL and Senior Manager, Northern Programs.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of lived and professional experience.
• 3-5 years’ experience working with Northern and Indigenous communities providing human resources and employee relations support.
• Experience working with Indigenous, community-based, or nonprofit environments.
• Knowledge of employment legislation across Canadian jurisdictions.

Requirements

• Communication: You are able to navigate complex and sensitive conversations, adapting your approach to different contexts, and ensuring people feel informed, heard, and supported.
• Collaboration: You build strong relationships and work effectively across teams and projects.
• Conflict Resolution: You are strong at facilitating difficult conversations, are solutions focused, and able to help individuals and teams navigate conflict in a way that maintains trust and accountability.
• Decision Making: You use sound judgment when navigating complex people matters, balancing organizational requirements, legal considerations, relationships, and the unique realities of Northern communities.
• Resourcefulness: You are comfortable working in complex environments and can identify practical solutions when faced with ambiguity or competing priorities.

Benefits

• The opportunity to have an impact on communities from coast to coast to coast.
• Full-time annual base salary of $80,000.
• Northern Living Allowance: Northern top-up of $21,000 + Isolated Post Allowance of $4,040-$55,178 (location- and dependent-based; consistent with rates established by the National Joint Council). The range for Yellowknife is $32,978-$40,963.
• Comprehensive employer-paid extended health, vision, and dental benefits package, including an annual $300 Health Spending Account starting on your first day of employment.
• Year-end RRSP contribution.
• Pregnancy and Parental/Adoption Leave top up (subject to eligibility).
• Three weeks’ vacation (increases with tenure) plus statutory holidays. MakeWay has implemented a Substitution Statutory Holiday policy which allows employees the flexibility to substitute another day for a statutory holiday.
• Winter break office closure and 9-day summer fortnight program.
• 10 annual sick and personal days.
• Flexible work environment with remote working.
• An Indigenous Employees Network.
• Committed colleagues and a culture of collaboration, caring, and learning.
• High level of responsibility and autonomy.
• Opportunities and support for professional learning and development.