Careers

Deadline for applications: Open until a suitable candidate is found

The Organization:

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) is a progressive union representing over 30,000 paramedical, professional, and technical members. HSAA’s staff are committed to delivering high-quality services to our members.

HSAA’s mission is to advocate for the rights and promote unity of its diverse membership of health-care professionals as they care for people and enhance the well-being of our communities.

Within this context HSAA invites applications and nominations for the position of Executive Director (ED).

The position:

Reporting to the Executive Officers and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will lead the Union in its next chapter and play a key role in the continued implementation of the current strategic plan. Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Senior Management Team, staff, and membership, the ED will navigate the complexities of labour relations in Alberta’s healthcare sector. The ED will work to ensure that HSAA provides exemplary labour relations services, champions workers rights, and advocates for universal publicly funded healthcare to enhance the well-being of HSAAs member’s, the individuals they care for, and the communities they serve.

The ED will build strong, trusting, and collaborative working relationships with staff, Board Members and affiliates, and they will cultivate a professional, supportive and engaging workplace culture that promotes equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and innovation. The ED will provide advice to the Executive Officers and the Board on operational strategies to achieve the goals of the strategic plan, as well as political strategies for action that affect HSAA members and healthcare. As the key operational leader, the ED will oversee the Union’s operations in accordance with the policies, strategic plan and operating budget established by the Board, and the Union’s values and mission. The ED will manage the Union’s resources relative to the provision of membership services including but not limited to negotiations, employer compliance with collective agreements, organizing of local units, membership disability claims, member education program, occupational health and safety, and member communications.

What you bring:

As the ideal candidate, you understand how to enable, empower, and transform organizations, and operationalize strategic initiatives. You have progressive experience in senior leadership roles, preferably within a union, not-for-profit, or similar mission driven organization. Candidates must have a commitment to publicly funded universal healthcare. You have a proven track record of operations experience, including budgeting. Experience working with and/or reporting to a Board of Directors is an asset. You demonstrate commitment to labour movement values, have deep knowledge of labour relations principles and practices, and are capable of championing HSAA’s core values and vision. You can navigate complex political environments, understand the dynamics around the relationship between employer bodies, government bodies, and the Union, and are comfortable advocating for and representing the interests of healthcare professionals. As a leader, you build and foster an open and collaborative workplace culture and have demonstrated experience promoting and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Your communication skills inspire trust, allowing you to build and sustain strong relationships with colleagues and allies at all levels and advance effective communication pathways. You are committed to the highest standards of honesty, transparency, and ethics. You have proven change management experience, with the ability to establish goals, develop implementation plans, monitor progress and ensure effective accountability and strategic alignment. A post-secondary degree is an asset.

Location: This role is based in Edmonton, Alberta.

How to Apply:

To apply or explore this key leadership opportunity with HSAA, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Sam Walton, Partner (sam@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Robin Noftall, Principal (robin@griffithgroup.ca), or visit: https://griffithgroup.ca/hsaa-executive-director/.

HSAA is an equal-opportunity employer, celebrates diversity, and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. HSAA welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, and encourages applications from women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and/or gender identities, and members of other equity-deserving groups.

HSAA and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and assessment processes.

Priority will be given to individuals legally entitled to work in Canada.

Deadline for applications: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025

The Organization:

The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) is a progressive union representing approximately 30,000 paramedical, professional, and technical members. Our staff are committed to delivering high-quality services to our members. HSAA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The position:

HSAA is seeking a knowledgeable and reputable Director, Engagement with strong union values to oversee the development and execution of our communications and member engagement strategies. This out-of-scope position reports to the Executive Director (ED) and is responsible to meet the mandate of membership engagement as identified in the HSAA strategic plan through communications, campaigns, education, and events.

The Director, Engagement is responsible for making effective recommendations on a wide variety of topics to the Executive Director and coordinating the delivery of the engagement and education frameworks, as well as the engagement and partnership aspects of the strategic plan. Key areas of responsibility include, but not limited to:

1. Engagement Strategy and Framework Development
   • Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to enhance member engagement and participation in HSAA activities.
   • Collaborate with the leadership team to align communication, member engagement, and member education efforts with organizational objectives and strategic frameworks.
2. Governance and Board Support
   • Provide guidance and support to the ED and the Board of Directors in coordinating the activities of committees to fulfill their duties and governance responsibilities in alignment with the strategic plan.
   • Develop a comprehensive approach to measuring and reporting on member engagement, utilizing metrics and KPI’s to report on trends, issues, and progress towards member engagement goals and objectives.
   • Monitor and assess committee compliance with policies and provide guidance to board members and staff on adherence.
3. Governance Strategy and Framework Development
   • Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive governance framework that interacts between the Board of Directors and operations, and aligns with HSAA’s vision, mission, and values.
   • Identify and recommend improvements to governance structures, policies, and procedures to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of board operations.

This leadership role requires a creative thinker, strong communicator, and a skilled strategist who can influence and guide teams to achieve high-impact outcomes. The Director of Engagement plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s relationships with key stakeholders, driving engagement efforts across various channels, and ensuring that engagement strategies align with broader organizational objectives.

What you bring:

You have a university degree or diploma in Business Administration, and have a specialization in public relations, communications, or related discipline with a minimum of seven years related experience, including five years management experience. You have demonstrated experience with member engagement strategies, including organizing campaigns, mobilization efforts, and member education programs. Strong knowledge of public relations principles, including media relations, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management. A sound knowledge of governance and board functions, principles, best practices, and legal requirements within a labour union or non-profit organization.

Your Core Competencies 

• Creative Problem Solving. You assess problems in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.
• Drive for Results. You maximize resources to achieve organization goals while maintaining accountability to each other and stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking: You understand broad perspectives, set goals to meet long-term outcomes, and help others to see their role in achieving results.
• Develop Self and Others: You are committed to learning and understanding the strategic importance of ongoing team development.
• Agility. You anticipate and adapt to changing priorities and environments. You are resilient in times of uncertainty.
• Develop Networks. You build connections and trust in relationships.
• Build Collaboration. You lead and contribute to conditions that support teamwork, collaboration, consistency, and excellence.

What we offer:

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter by e-mail to Human Resources at recruitment@hsaa.ca. In your cover letter, please tell us how your skills and experience align with this position. Applications may be used to fill other current and future opportunities.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those shortlisted for the position will be contacted.