Sr. Specialist, People, Engagement, and Learning (Northern Region)

MakeWay•Yellowknife, NT

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

MakeWay is seeking an experienced HR professional to provide relational and responsive people support to its Northern staff and projects. This role will involve navigating complex people matters, building leadership capacity, and strengthening people practices that reflect the unique realities of Northern communities, while ensuring MakeWay meets its responsibilities as an employer across multiple jurisdictions. The position is based in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut, with a preference for individuals located in Yellowknife, NT. The role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a supportive team that shares knowledge and cares.

Requirements

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.
Ability to navigate complex and sensitive conversations, adapting approach to different contexts, and ensuring people feel informed, heard, and supported.
Ability to build strong relationships and work effectively across teams and projects.
Strong skills in facilitating difficult conversations, being solutions-focused, and able to help individuals and teams navigate conflict in a way that maintains trust and accountability.
Ability to use sound judgment when navigating complex people matters, balancing organizational requirements, legal considerations, relationships, and the unique realities of Northern communities.
Comfort working in complex environments and ability to identify practical solutions when faced with ambiguity or competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

CPHR designation or in process, or willingness to obtain designation.

Responsibilities

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 (e.g., leaves, accommodations, workplace conflict, employee concerns).
Provide advisory support in areas of recruitment, people planning, and performance management.
Work with Project Directors and Steering Committees to ensure appropriate HR policy and governance structures are in place for Shared Platform projects.
Help 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.
Work 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.
Act 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.

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.