Executive Director of People Strategy

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE STRATEGY

Shawnigan Lake School is a vibrant, globally minded boarding school dedicated to holistic student development. We believe that our exceptional staff are the heart of our community, essential to cultivating a nurturing and challenging environment for our students.

For more information about Shawnigan, explore our Shawnigan at a Glance.

We are seeking an Executive Director of People Strategy to serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and lead our human resources strategy. This is not just an HR role; it is a leadership position for someone who understands that a school’s “people strategy” must align with its educational mission and the unique demands of a 24/7 boarding community.

The Executive Director of People Strategy will ensure that our practices – from recruiting and professional growth to retention and campus well-being – support a healthy, dedicated, and high-performing school culture. We are looking for an emotionally intelligent strategic leader who can navigate the complexities of staff housing, duty requirements, and the deep, personal commitment required to work in a boarding school.

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent. Office based position located on campus at 1975 Renfrew Road, Shawnigan Lake

Position Start Date: Ideal start date of May 2026, though an earlier or later start may be considered.

Compensation: Annual salary range of $140,000 – $170,000. Starting salary is determined based on the successful candidate’s knowledge, experience, and internal parity.

• ­After 3 months employment, a full benefits package and RRSP with employer-matched contributions, paid vacation, a flexible work environment, and a nurturing family-friendly workplace.
• A subsidized lunch program to enjoy delicious meals provided on-site.
• Gym Access where you can take advantage of our top-notch gym and fitness facilities.
• A focus on Wellness with access to subsidized staff led wellness activities, including yoga, pottery, spinning, squash, and more.

Shawnigan Lake School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff (and volunteers) to share this commitment. Candidates will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with previous employers and a vulnerable sector criminal record check.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director of People Strategy will oversee all functions of the HR department and drive strategic initiatives across the school.

Strategic Leadership & Culture

• Serve as a trusted partner to the Head of School and Senior Leadership Team, providing insight on organizational structure, leadership development, and cultural health.
• Develop and implement a People Strategy that directly supports the school’s mission and strategic plan, emphasizing retention of top-tier educators and staff.
• Champion a campus culture of inclusion, professional excellence, and well-being, ensuring a supportive environment for employees who often live and work side-by-side.
• Lead change management efforts related to organizational development, policy shifts, and strategic initiatives.

Talent Management & Development

• Lead and advance all recruitment and hiring strategies and processes for all staff, ensuring we attract candidates who are mission-aligned and understand our boarding school context.
• Design and implement comprehensive, mission-driven onboarding and professional development programs.
• Oversee and refine the School’s performance management systems to encourage continuous feedback, identify growth opportunities, and ensure accountability, tailored for education, administration and operations staff.
• Develop succession planning strategies for key leadership positions.

Human Resources & Operations

• Provide strategic leadership to the HR team, ensuring operational excellence, efficient processes, regulatory compliance, and a supportive culture for all employees.
• With input from the Senior Leadership Team, sets and implements the strategic direction for staff compensation and benefits, ensuring alignment with market competitiveness and the value of on-campus housing and other employee benefits.
• Ensure school-wide compliance with all federal and provincial employment laws, especially those unique to educational and campus settings.
• Strategically manage issues related to staff housing, house duty requirements, and the balance of work/life in a close-knit campus environment.
• Provide executive guidance on employee relations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary matters, acting as a confidential and skilled resource with fairness, integrity, and empathy.

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• CPHR designation (or equivalent professional certification) is required. Bachelor’s degree or post-secondary education in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Significant experience working within or a deep demonstrated understanding of the education sector and/or boarding school environment.
• Proven track record of success in developing and executing strategic talent management plans and designing integrated systems for performance management, and leadership development that attract mission-aligned staff.
• Extensive experience in employment law and risk mitigation, with specific knowledge of non-traditional compensation (e.g., faculty housing and taxable benefits).

Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build immediate trust and effectively manage sensitive and confidential information.
• A servant-leader approach with high emotional intelligence and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.
• Proven ability to build immediate trust across diverse stakeholder groups, from facilities staff to academic faculty.
• Proactive in leading organizational change and anchoring school operations in high ethical standards and integrity.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a copy of your resume/CV and cover letter to the attention of Larry Lamont, Head of School via our Careers Page.

Shawnigan Lake School is an equal opportunity employer committed to establishing an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment for all. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest in this position, however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Position closes when filled.