Specialist, People & Culture Systems

Specialist, People & Culture Systems
Algoma University
Location: Brampton, ON or Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Department: People & Culture (P&C)
Reference # MG-17012
Salary Range: $64,787 - $76,838

About Algoma University

Since its establishment in 1965 as Algoma University College in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma University has increasingly assumed a national leadership role in supporting the university sector’s response to Truth, Healing and Reconciliation. Algoma’s Special Mission is guided by the 7 Grandfather Teachings and Honouring Commitments, and is twofold in nature:

• to be a teaching-oriented university that provides programs in liberal arts and sciences and professional programs, primarily at the undergraduate level, with a focus on the needs of Northern Ontario; and to
• cultivate cross-cultural learning between Indigenous communities and other communities in keeping with the history of Algoma University and its geographic site.

With campuses located in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton and Timmins, the tri-campus model that has emerged at Algoma University leverages the unique strengths, opportunities and broader community needs of each geographic location. Through this model, Algoma provides students with rich experiential learning experiences and research opportunities across liberal arts, sciences, and professional disciplines.

Algoma University is committed to being a welcoming, inclusive, safe, and respectful learning community; one that values the opportunities to learn from and with students, staff, and visitors from all parts of the world. Currently, Algoma University is home to over 5,000 students representing over 50 different countries, more than 430 full-time and part-time faculty and over 150 support staff and administrative personnel.

Specialist, People & Culture Systems

Reporting to the Manager, People & Organizational Development, the Specialist, People & Culture Systems provides a wide range of support, including configuration and administration of the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), developing, and programming reports and ensuring the University’s needs are met with the recording, maintenance, and reporting of employee data.  This also includes establishing the electronic file structure and data management standards for various records/files for the People and Culture department.  This position will research, analyze, design, test, and maintain systems in support of People & Culture, Payroll, and Benefits, and will be required to liaison closely with both the Finance and Innovation and Technology departments, as required.

This position will play a key role in ensuring data collection is in place and maintained to facilitate reporting on information as it relates to AU’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization. This role requires strong technical skills with a deep understanding of database structure and basic programming and reporting design, exceptional attention to detail, adaptability, and the ability to work under challenging time constraints and conditions. This position requires high sensitivity to confidential matters and a strong sense of integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the configuration, design, and maintenance of the HRIS system, database, and structure including developing needed reports.
• Ensure data accuracy and data integrity in the design and use of the HRIS.
• Provide database quality control; investigate and resolve issues that are escalated and cannot be resolved by the staff member handling the data entry. 
• Provide HRIS subject matter guidance and training to University employees, as required.
• Develop and design reports and perform ad hoc data analytics as required to support the operations and needs across the organization.
• Provide expert technical leadership and project management in the design, configuration, and implementation of new and updated system processes within the HRIS system.
• Liaise with relevant departments (e.g. Payroll and Innovation & Technology) to ensure People & Culture systems are operational, supporting the needs of the organization, and accessible to all approved users.
• Establish security needs for the data collection and management of the HRIS system, with particular attention to system security and personal information privacy legislation compliance.
• Research and provide recommendations in support of ongoing continuous improvement of the HRIS system.
• Ensure the database provides the required information and is designed to support its use to its fullest capacity.
• Audit database integrity and serve as a primary contact to troubleshoot problems and resolve functional system questions.
• In conjunction with P&C Management and Payroll, manage and implement all applicable systems, policies, and security settings as required.
• Act as the People & Culture lead for all Smartsheet development work and provide recommendations on team efficiencies and improvements through the use of the program.
• Act as the People & Culture lead for implementing and maintaining an appropriate system to support the talent acquisition/hiring processes for the university.
• Act as the People & Culture lead for identifying, designing, and implementing an appropriate system to support the creation and maintenance of an Algoma University organization chart, including overseeing updates and improvements to such systems as may be required over time.

Specialist, People & Culture Systems Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in Systems Information or related discipline.
• Minimum of three (3) years experience working with applications and systems (preference to HRIS systems knowledge and expertise), or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. 
• Experience and/or certifications related to relational database management systems, computer programming, Power BI, data integration, data analytics, HRIS and SQL queries required.
• Project management certification, or working towards certification, is required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong and thorough attention to detail is vital.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal required.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Understanding of, and demonstrated ability to uphold, confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to represent the university professionally in interactions with internal stakeholders and/or external communities.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to take initiative and prioritize work in a high-volume office.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, styles, and abilities. Innovative problem-solver.
• Expert understanding of technology; strong computer skills.
• Commitment to understanding Algoma University’s Special Mission and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

How To Apply  

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking: https://meridiarecruitment.ca/Career/17012

For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Natalie Lagace, Recruitment Specialist, at nlagace@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Mark know.

Algoma University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our community and is an equal opportunity employer. The university invites and encourages applications from all qualified candidates from equity-seeking groups, (Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIPA+ persons) who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Algoma University throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. The successful candidate, as a condition of employment, will be required to provide a Police Vulnerable Sector Check.

Algoma University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Natalie Lagace, Recruitment Specialist, at nlagace@kbrs.ca.