The Search Committee recognizes that no candidate for the Executive Director, People and Organization Development is likely to meet all the following criteria in equal measure. Nevertheless, the following qualifications, characteristics, experience, approach and personal qualities are seen to be highly desirable:

Experience and Strengths

Organization Development Experience

Exemplified by:

• • Experience leading and facilitating Leadership and Organization Development initiatives within a complex public sector or higher education environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. 
  • Demonstrated success in delivering on high-engagement, developmental and transformational strategies.
  • Expertise in some (or all) of the portfolio areas, such as engagement, training & development, culture development wellness and psychological health and safety, and strategic HR business partnerships.
  • The ability to lead and oversee a broad range of functions across a complex, multi-campus unionized organization effectively and collegially.
  • The energy and time management skills required to be successful in this demanding position.

People Strategy Development

Exemplified by:

• • Experience establishing broad, modern, comprehensive, integrated and strategic people plans and structures to support organizational goals and influence the recruitment, retention and engagement of exceptional staff and faculty.
  • Deep knowledge of employment practices in the public sector and the administration of federal and provincial employment legislation.
  • Demonstrated expertise of best practices in People Practices and related human resource business processes; experience in organizational development and people practices and partnerships that result in healthy, inclusive, collaborative, and supportive environments for working and learning.

Change Management

Exemplified by:

• • Demonstrated success leading, managing and influencing others through transformational change, ideally in a collegial and decentralized organizational context, that requires facilitative and relational leadership skills.
  • The ability to make sound judgements and careful evaluations of alternatives in the absence of specific policies, ideally with a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead for comprehensive research universities.
  • The ability to develop and align people policies with the academic mission of SFU, as it relates to supporting faculty, staff and students.
  • The ability to adapt programs, policies, processes and services to changing internal and external business needs.

Values and Community Centered Leadership

Exemplified by:

• • A consultative view of leadership with an awareness of the need for openness, change and team building. Accepts and provides mentorship and supports professional development.
  • A respectful, compassionate, inclusive and engaging leadership style.
  • Integrity, transparency, empathy, trustworthiness, and courage.
  • Effectiveness as a team leader and team member, with the demonstrated ability to build and work with a collegial and collaborative approach.
  • Demonstrated success leading and inspiring others through change, ideally in a collegial and decentralized organizational context that requires facilitative and relational leadership skills.

Communication Skills 

Exemplified by:

• • The ability to listen actively, engage in meaningful dialogue and communicate effectively with a wide array of individuals and groups.
  • Effectiveness at communicating in a positive, clear and articulate fashion to diverse audiences.
  • A conscious and curious approach through a reflective and meaningful commitment to controversial issues in an academic environment.
  • A well-developed sense of perspective and an open, adaptable, creative, and inclusive approach to problem solving; ability to influence and negotiate effectively.

Relationship and Trust Building

Exemplified by:

• • High emotional intelligence, humility, and genuine engagement with others.
  • Cultural sensitivity and international awareness.
  • The ability to motivate others and build trust through an open, respectful, and collegial approach.
  • Exceptional relationship building skills, in particular building credible strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
  • Experience working with and providing leadership in a student-centered environment.
  • Expertise in conflict resolution, consultatory decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Anti-Oppression and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

Exemplified by:

• • Experience in advocating for and addressing the social and systemic exclusion of equity-deserving groups in all institutional systems, practices and procedures.

Indigenization and Reconciliation

Exemplified by:

• • Advocacy for Indigenous faculty, staff and students and active pursuit of the goals of Indigenization and reconciliation and continued delivery of the Report of the SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council (ARC).

Academic Qualifications

• • Post-graduate degree in a related discipline. Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Organizational Development, or Human Resources is a definite asset.

A significant effort will be made to encourage candidates from equity-deserving groups and with lived experience of marginalization and oppression to apply.