Organizational Development Specialist - Temporary, Full-time

Requisition Details:

Employment Status: Temporary, Full-time (1.0 FTE)

Program Name: Organizational Development

Number of Hours Bi-Weekly: 75

Work Schedule: Days

Anticipated End Date: May 2028

On Call: No

Existing Vacancy: Yes – we're currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position.

Nova Scotia wage range available upon request. 

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Talent Acquisition and Organizational Development, the Organizational Development Specialist is a key member of the HR team responsible for designing, developing and facilitating competency and capability training for leaders and staff in support of VON's strategic plan. The Organizational Development Specialist will partner with leaders at all levels to support their teams through development and deployment of programs related to change management, employee engagement, team development, and psychologically healthy organizational culture.

The OD Specialist will create a culture of leadership development through providing advice, coaching, expertise, and hands-on support to management and employees in a broad range of organizational development and design activities. This position will support job and organizational design to advance strategic goals and will recognize and develop the talents within the organization that will enhance the employee experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish the various components of the Talent Development framework that includes establishing manager/director level accountabilities, competencies, and development.
• Provide leadership and advice in the needs assessments, design and implementation of training and development interventions to ensure that VON management possesses the skills and attributes necessary to lead people and programs.
• Provide assessment, advice, leadership, and management of various learning initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness. 
• Provide leadership in the development of a learning organization while making efficient use of the existing assets within VON. 
• Facilitate corporate general orientation for all new staff and new leader onboarding program for new leaders. 
• Develop programs to ensure VON management engages in a continuous learning cycle beginning with a strong onboarding program. 
• Design and support engagement initiatives across the organization, inclusive of engagement survey design and execution.
• Support the Culture and Engagement Advisory Committee to realize their collective vision for VON.
• Manage the performance management and succession planning function of the organization ensuring that a system is in place which recognizes talent and identifies developmental requirements. 
• Provide leadership, mentoring and development opportunities for management staff including appropriate cross-training, growth opportunities and initiatives. 
• Monitor and stay current in the emerging fields of blended learning, e-learning, performance management and other HR developments. 
• Develop, implement, maintain and interpret policies, procedures and programs designed to ensure the effective delivery of organizational development initiatives.
• Assist in the development and achievement of business unit and corporate business objectives through learning and development interventions.
• Incorporate adult learning principles, organizational development principles, instructional systems design principles, and relevant empirical research in the development of curriculum and materials for training delivery.
• Conduct training evaluations to assess knowledge transfer on the job.
• In collaboration with Director, Talent and Organizational Development, initiate, plan, execute, close, and control enterprise-level projects and impact events related to corporate learning and organizational development, specifically employee engagement, leadership development, change management and recognition.
• Determine project scope, resources, risk, quality, cost; Develop requirements' documents; Develop training plans; Define quality gates for each project methodology phase. 
• Define critical success factors; Schedule and execute implementation and postimplementation plans.
• Conduct team diagnostics upon request; develop and implement suitable interventions to enhance team functioning and productivity.
• Coach individual leaders to achieve desired competencies and capabilities in alignment with leadership framework.
• Assess departmental, program, and/or organizational readiness for change; develop and execute appropriate change management interventions.
• Support leaders and teams in understanding their employee engagement data and developing and executing action plans to boost or maintain engagement levels. 

Common Responsibilities:

• Promotes the goals and values of VON and their role as an integrated community care provider.
• Promotes a safe and healthy workplace ensuring workplace conduct and activities are in accordance with the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and compliant with the VON Safety Management System, including all Policies, Safe Work Practices and Procedures. 
• Abides by all VON policies and work practices.
• Abides by all confidentiality and protection of personal information policies, regulations and practices and ensures appropriate safeguards are in place within their role.
• Works in collaboration with other staff in a team approach to service delivery.

External and Internal Relationships: 

• Strong collaboration with VON National and Regional leadership teams and Human Resources department.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with learning vendors (i.e. McLean and Company and Rapid Leaning Institute) and ensures best practices in development and use of all learning materials.
• Establish and maintain open and effective professional relationships with internal stakeholders and external Organizational Development platforms and vendors.

Education, Designations and Experience: 

• Post-Secondary education in Education, Organizational Development, Business
• Administration or related discipline or combination of equivalent employment experience and education.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in management specific to talent development, learning initiatives, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Experience in partnering with and influencing senior management to gain support, provide advice and create a learning culture.
• Proven experience leading projects from ideation, delivery and iteration to solve and meet business objectives.
• A Chartered Professional in Human Resources Professional (CPHR) designation would be considered an asset.
• Experience in health care industry is preferred. 

Skill Requirements:

• HR or Business Specialist - Expert in assisting managers be the best leaders they can be. Has strong knowledge/passion for organizational development, preferably in a large, complex organization. Has experience working within a unionized environment. 
• Experienced Leader - Demonstrated success in a management role within a complex environment; able to communicate a vision, motivate, and create a collaborative, innovative learning culture.
• Strong coaching skills to both develop existing and emerging leaders
• Strategic thinker – Has the ability to formulate and articulate a plan and translate it into strategies and actions that will enable the organization to achieve its objectives.
• Business leader – Knows how businesses work and the role HR and specifically OD play in helping progressive organizations meet objectives; keeps current of trends and industry developments. 
• High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and documentation.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently, manage competing demands and develop realistic action plans.
• Demonstrated accuracy and thoroughness of work to ensure quality.
• Excellent follow-up and relationship building skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Other: 

• A current and original copy of a satisfactory Criminal Records Check.
• A Vulnerable Sector Search and/or Child Abuse Registry Check may be required.
• Ability to speak French is an asset in French Designated areas. 

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.