Director, Human Resources

Position Overview :

Nestled on the Bay of Fundy and along the sweeping Saint John River, the City of Saint John is a vibrant, historic, and forward-looking municipality. As Canada’s first incorporated city, Saint John blends rich heritage with modern momentum. With a growing economy, a thriving port, and a community energized by diversity, Saint John is well-positioned for continued growth and innovation.

The City is now seeking its next Director of Human Resources, a strategic and people-focused leader who will shape the future of HR and help build a resilient, high-performing workforce aligned with the City’s vision and strategic direction.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Commissioner of Human Resources, Communications, and Customer Service, the Director of Human Resources is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. This role combines strategic vision with operational excellence to elevate HR from a transactional function to a trusted partner driving organizational performance and culture change.

You will lead a team of approximately 10 HR professionals and oversee all core HR functions, including :

• Human Resources strategic planning
• Workforce planning, talent management, recruitment and retention
• Compensation, benefits, and HR operations (payroll, pensions, HRIS)
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
• Employee wellness, engagement, and leadership development
• Employee learning and development

The City is at an exciting juncture, with a renewed focus on modernizing its HR practices and a continued commitment to strengthen organizational culture. This role offers the opportunity to lead initiatives that elevate HR as a strategic partner across the organization, driving priorities such as succession planning, performance management, and technology-enabled service delivery. You will lead efforts that align talent strategies with organizational goals, ensuring the City has the leadership, skills, and culture needed to thrive in the years ahead.

Ideal Candidate Profile

You are a strategic and forward-thinking HR leader who believes people are at the heart of organizational success. With a track record of progressive HR leadership experience and a strong background in employee and labour relations, you have led diverse HR functions, built and managed HR programs and polices, and influenced leadership teams in unionized, multi-partner environments. Ideally, you hold a CHRP designation and a university degree in human resources, industrial relations, law, or a related discipline. Additional advanced educational training in human resources, business, or related field would be considered an asset.

You thrive in complexity, bring clarity to ambiguity, and are passionate about building inclusive, high-performing cultures. Known for your resilience and adaptability, you navigate change with confidence and see HR as a strategic driver of transformation. With strong business acumen, exceptional communication skills, and a collaborative approach, you inspire trust and build consensus. Above all, you are a lifelong learner who is curious, creative, and committed to exploring new approaches that strengthen organizational performance and employee experience.

How to Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this exciting opportunity, please apply online at For more information or to ask any questions, please contact Daniella Sam at , Erin MacDonald at , or Katherine Risley at .

Diversity and Accessibility Statement

The City of Saint John is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live and which we serve. We encourage and support applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups. Candidates who belong to such groups, and who are qualified, will be given preference at the time of selection.

KBRS will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact or communicate your needs to our team.