Position Title: General Manager of People & Culture
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Pay Grid: $33-$37/hour
Department: Association Services
Hours: 40 hours/week
Our Culture:
YMCA of Southeastern Alberta strives to integrate our commitment to diversity and social inclusion in all that we do. We believe that strong leadership is created through the sharing of diverse experiences and perspectives. We actively seek candidates who embody these principles and who reflect the many dimensions of the communities we serve. We are a charitable organization that provides health and fitness opportunities, employment services, licensed childcare, and various community programs in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and Brooks. When you work at the YMCA, you’ll play an important part in building strong, thriving communities while positively impacting people’s lives. Join our team at the Y, a place where everyone belongs — including you!
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day, demonstrating our values in action.
We do the right thing.
We are caring, respectful, honest, and responsible in all that we do.
We put people first.
We believe in each other – honouring our strengths, diversity, perspectives, and passions.
We keep our promises.
We do what we say we will do.
We lead by example.
We are courageous, speaking with conviction and always willing to listen and collaborate.
What qualifications are we looking for?
At the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta, we strive to ensure our employees are a good fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals.
The successful candidate will have the following:
Education/Certifications/Credentials/Professional Registration
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CPHR designation (or actively working toward designation)
• Training or certification in the following areas is an asset:
Workplace investigations
Conflict resolution and mediation
Psychological health and safety in the workplace
Change management
Leadership coaching
• An equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, and significant employee relationships experience may be considered.
• Standard First Aid, CPR-Level C
• Evidence of a clear Police Information Check (with Vulnerable Sector Search if applicable), within the last six months
• Must have a valid driver’s license with a class 07 automobile insurance coverage business use (or pleasure with occasional business use) and a minimum of $2,000,000 in liability coverage
Knowledge & Skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of Alberta Employment Standards, Human Rights legislation, Occupational Health & Safety requirements, and HR best practices.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, performance management, progressive discipline, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Experience coaching managers and leaders through employee performance and workplace issues.
• Strong understanding of employee engagement principles and organizational culture development.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate difficult conversations and manage sensitive workplace situations.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HR information systems.
• Working knowledge of payroll, onboarding, employment contracts, and HR administration processes.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and creating psychologically safe workplaces.
What does this role look like at the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta?
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer the General Manager of People & Culture is responsible for fostering a positive, engaged, and high-performing workplace culture across the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta. This role serves as the organization's primary resource for employee relations, providing leadership and guidance in workplace investigations, conflict resolution, performance management, progressive coaching, terminations, and leadership coaching. Working collaboratively with the People & Culture Manager, this position builds leadership capacity, supports employee engagement initiatives, leads the annual WorkWell Employee Engagement Survey process, and helps ensure consistent application of YMCA policies, employment legislation, and organizational values.
While primarily focused on employee relations, the role also provides support and cross-training in key HR functions including onboarding, employment contracts, payroll, ROEs, and other people operations activities.
The responsibilities and duties of this role will include but is not limited to:
Customer Service
• Provide responsive and professional support to employees, managers, volunteers, and
community stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted resource for managers seeking guidance on employee relations matters and workplace concerns.
• Foster positive relationships that enhance the employee experience across the Association.
• Represent the YMCA professionally in all internal and external interactions.
YMCA Values
• Demonstrate and promote a personal understanding of and appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the YMCA and its programs and services
• Actively contribute to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful workplace where everyone feels they belong.
• Lead by example and demonstrate behaviors that align with YMCA competencies and organizational expectations.
• Support initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, diversity, and organizational culture.
• Uphold the YMCA's commitment to building healthy communities through positive workplace relationships and leadership.
Teamwork
• Work effectively within the Association Services team, contributing to its overall success by:
Promoting the YMCA’s annual Y Connect Campaign
Promoting and/or attending YMCA events
Contributing to a positive and healthy workplace culture
Other duties to assist the team, as assigned
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Operating Officer and department leaders to support organizational goals and foster a positive workplace culture.
• Partner with managers and supervisors to address employee relations matters, performance concerns, workplace conflicts, and team development opportunities.
• Collaborate with the People & Culture Manager to ensure seamless delivery of human resources services and provide cross-training and coverage for key HR functions.
• Support leaders in implementing organizational initiatives, policies, and people practices consistently across the Association.
• Participate in Association management and SLT meetings, committees, and organizational projects as required.
• Contribute to employee recognition, retention, wellness, diversity, equity, inclusion, and engagement initiatives.
• Build effective working relationships across departments to promote collaboration, communication, and a unified employee experience.
• Support departmental and organizational change initiatives by helping leaders and employees navigate change successfully.
• Share knowledge, resources, and best practices with managers and colleagues to strengthen leadership capacity throughout the organization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, respect, and teamwork that reflects YMCA values.
• Assist with special projects and organizational priorities as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.
• Act as a positive and collaborative member of the leadership team, contributing to the overall success of the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta.
Standards that Shine
• Achieve all quality standards and targets established under YMCA best practices and the YMCA’s Standards that Shine
• General cleaning as required around the facility
• Ensuring all staff are aware of Standards that Shine, and work with them to create a culture of excellence in adherence to guidelines and expectations outlined by the Standards that Shine
• Implement the Y Way from a People & Culture point of view throughout the organization.
Interpersonal/Communication Skills
• Communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, managers, and the senior leadership team
• Ensure workplace conflicts are resolved quickly, following YMCA policies and procedures
• Build strong working relationships with employees, supervisors, managers, and senior leaders across the organization.
• Provide coaching and advice to managers regarding employee performance, workplace conduct, conflict resolution, and team development.
• Facilitate respectful and productive conversations regarding workplace concerns and employee relations matters.
• Deliver training and development opportunities that build leadership and management competency.
• Effectively communicate complex and sensitive information with professionalism, discretion, and empathy.
• Respond to inquiries in a timely, respectful, and solution-focused manner, ensuring all emails and phone calls are returned within 24 hours.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and professional reports, correspondence, and investigation documentation.
• Work collaboratively with the People & Culture Manager to ensure seamless HR service delivery and cross-functional support.
Quality of Work Employee Relations
• Serve as the primary resource for employee relations matters across the Association.
• Lead workplace investigations, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely processes, consulting the COO as necessary.
• Provide guidance and recommendations regarding employee conduct, performance, attendance, and workplace concerns.
• Support managers in applying progressive coaching and performance improvement plan processes, consulting the COO as necessary.
• Assist leaders with employee terminations, and related documentation, consulting the COO as necessary.
• Monitor employee relations trends and recommend proactive solutions.
Leadership Coaching & Development
• Coach managers and supervisors in effective people leadership practices.
• Build management capacity in performance management, accountability, conflict resolution, and employee engagement.
• Develop and facilitate management training sessions and leadership development opportunities.
• Support succession planning and leadership development initiatives.
Employee Engagement & Culture
• Lead the annual WorkWell Employee Engagement Survey process.
• Analyze survey results and prepare reports for leadership.
• Partner with departments to identify priority areas and develop action plans.
• Monitor progress on engagement initiatives and support leaders in achieving desired outcomes.
• Assist the COO in fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
• Support employee recognition, retention, and wellness initiatives.
People & Culture Operations Support
• Provide support and backup coverage for onboarding, employment contracts, payroll, ROEs, WCB, and other HR administrative functions as required.
• Collaborate with the People & Culture Manager to ensure consistency and continuity of HR services.
• Assist with policy development, implementation, and communication.
Compliance with Legislation and YMCA Policies and Procedures
• Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to adhere to, Alberta Employment Standards, Human Rights legislation, and Occupational Health & Safety requirement
• Adherence to the following at all times:
• YMCA Child Safeguarding and Operational Policies and Procedures
• Public health and safety regulations
• Occupational Health and Safety
Work Environment and Physical Demands
• Primary office location is in Medicine Hat, Alberta, with regular travel required between YMCA of Southeastern Alberta locations within Medicine Hat and occasional travel to Brooks.
• A valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation are required.
• Work is performed in a combination of office, meeting, and program environments, requiring frequent interaction with employees, managers, volunteers, and community partners.
• This position requires movement between multiple facilities. Building layouts vary by location and may include stairs, elevators, lifts, ramps, and other accessibility features.
• The main office entrance includes steps; however, accessible entry options are available through a lift or alternate entrance.
• Most duties involve sitting, standing, walking, attending meetings, and working on a computer for extended periods.
• The ability to move throughout YMCA facilities to attend meetings, conduct investigations, deliver training, and support employees and managers is required.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of files, office supplies, or meeting materials up to 20 lbs. may be required.
• May be exposed to various weather conditions while travelling between YMCA locations and attending off-site meetings or events.
• This role regularly handles sensitive, confidential, and potentially complex employee relations matters requiring professionalism, emotional resilience, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Occasional work outside regular business hours may be required to attend meetings, support operational needs, or respond to urgent employee relations matters.
The Benefits to Joining our Team:
• Paid wellness days and benefits package after 3-month probationary period
• Paid Birthday and Employment Anniversary Date
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Health Plus Membership with 15% discount for family members
• 2 weeks paid vacation after 3 months prorated based on start date
• 1 week of PTO after 3 months prorated based on start date
Please Apply:
With a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references (email addresses and phone numbers) who can attest to your character and previous work and/or volunteer performance.
Please send application packages to:
Betty Duhaime, Chief Operating Officer YMCA of Southeastern Alberta
221 4th Ave SE, Medicine Hat