Program Manager, Employee Wellness

JOB SUMMARY

The Employee Wellness Unit develops the corporate Employee Wellness strategy and framework for the City to support safe, healthy behaviors and encourage employees to proactively manage their well-being. The unit’s mission will be to act in alignment with the City’s values, create, and foster a psychologically safe workplace culture, adapt to the diverse intersectional needs of the employee population, and evolve into a trauma-informed organization.

You lead a team of professional staff in the Employee Wellness Unit, providing expertise in the planning, design, implementation, communications and evaluation of employee wellness programs, as well as, planning and managing projects. You are responsible for building and maintaining strong working relationships with staff and management in HR, Labour Relations, and Finance, and for representing the corporation at collective bargaining on matters related to employee wellness programs. 

Your primary responsibilities include:

• Leading the design, planning, implementation, communications, and evaluation of employee wellness programs, including the various phases of integrated benefit product launches or updates, with the objective of being market competitive, cost effective and internally equitable.
• Ensuring programs are designed within consideration of needs, cost-efficiency, competitive positioning, emerging industry trends and innovations, governance and best practices.
• Leading internal and external audit activities associated with employee wellness programs, policies and procedures. 
• Establishing and maintaining various relationships with internal(such as Legal Services, Labour Relations, Finance, etc.) and external service providers to ensure programs meet business needs and compliance requirements, to effectively manage risk, and to ensure quality service.
• Managing vendor contracts and relationships with various consultants, third party administrators and service providers in matters related to annual renewals/reviews and new contracts, to ensure optimum efficiency and quality of service delivery, and to ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions.
• Overseeing the development and delivery of communication material to enhance employee understanding of employee wellness programs as well as the design and maintenance of online information

You are also responsible for managing the unit’s human (including contracted services) and financial resources, and partner relationships.
 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in Psychology, Sociology, HR Management, Business Administration, Public Administration or other related field. Masters of Social Work preferred. 

Minimum of 8 years of related experience in employee wellness, occupational health and safety, including a minimum of 4 years in the management of human and financial resources.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) is desirable.

Registered Social Worker in the Province of Ontario or equivalent certification is desirable.

KNOWLEDGE

• Methods, techniques and practices relative to benefits and wellness program design and governance
• Benefit plan underwriting and cost containment measures
• Legislation, policies, regulations, guidelines and operational procedures relevant to the operational area
• Contract document preparation, the tendering process and supervision of field services
• Supervisory experience and motivational techniques. Working knowledge of human resource best practices, trends and development
• Financial management practices and budget processes
• Industry trends and developments
• Business administration concepts, theories, principles and methodologies
• Computer applications, including MS Office, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SAP, PeopleSoft, Access, and other corporate standard software
• Must possess the training, experience and knowledge to organize the work and its performance
• Legislation, regulations, policies, standards and guidelines relevant to the work
• Must be familiar with applicable health and safety legislation, have knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the work place, and have knowledge of appropriate actions to be taken in order to ensure the health and safety of staff in accordance with applicable legislation and municipal policies and procedures

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to write/draft clear, concise correspondence, reports, policies, resources, grant proposals, and recommendations, including evaluations and summaries of research and analysis to guide program development, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to demonstrate human relations, communications, facilitation, presentation, and collaboration skills to maintain effective working relations with parties involved; facilitate discussions, leveraging diversity and differences; deliver training; and present information and promote programs and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to enact research and analytical skills to identify needs and develop, plan, maintain, and evaluate programs and projects that support psychological and physical health of an organization. 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and collaborate with internal and external partners, including on delivering specialized wellbeing training and education.
• Ability to demonstrate project management skills to develop scope, plans, and requirements, including communications and resources. Ability to turn plans into action, see projects through to completion, and achieve program goals.

Core Behaviours
Core behaviours define the City's expectations of the behaviours employees should demonstrate in performing their work.  They are reflective of the City's culture and values and guide all our present and future activities.  Every employee is encouraged to learn, embody, and demonstrate these core behaviours.

Review the Core Behaviours.

Leadership Competencies
The City has defined key competencies that leaders are expected to embody and demonstrate to successfully move the organization towards achieving its strategic objectives and create an organizational culture that supports and empowers employees to excel, grow and reach their full potential. These leadership competencies and associated behaviours are expected to be demonstrated by leaders at all levels of the organization. 

Review the Leadership Competencies.