As a Director of Human Resources Planning and Reporting, you will lead strategic human resources initiatives that shape how the Department of National Defence manages its civilian workforce. This role sits at the director level within the HR Planning and Reporting function, where you will develop and implement HR policies, systems, and reporting frameworks that support organizational effectiveness and workforce management. You will work with senior leadership across DND to align human resources strategies with defence priorities, ensuring the department has the right people, skills, and capabilities to deliver on its mandate.
In this position, you will oversee teams responsible for workforce planning, analytics, reporting, and human resources data management. Your responsibilities include developing HR strategies and business cases, managing HR information systems, producing strategic reports for senior management and Treasury Board, and ensuring compliance with Treasury Board policies and legislation. You will also guide the development of HR processes and tools that improve decision-making across the organization. This role requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate complex HR data into actionable insights for senior leaders.
You will work in a dynamic federal environment where your decisions impact thousands of civilian employees. The work is primarily office-based at National Defence headquarters or regional HR centres, though travel to other locations may be required for consultations and meetings. This is an excellent opportunity for HR professionals seeking to make a strategic impact in Canada's defence organization.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of human resources (hr) planning and reporting services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the human resources (hr) planning and reporting team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To qualify for this director-level position, you will typically need a bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a related field. Many successful candidates hold graduate degrees such as a Master's in Business Administration (MBA), Master's in Public Administration (MPA), or Master's in Human Resources Management. Professional certifications are highly valued, including Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) credentials from provincial HR associations, or the Canadian HR Leader (CHRL) designation.
Experience in human resources management, preferably in a large or complex organization, is essential. You should have demonstrated experience in HR strategy development, workforce planning, HR analytics, and reporting. Knowledge of Treasury Board policies, federal legislation including the Public Service Labour Relations Act and the Canadian Human Rights Act, and Treasury Board systems is important.
Once hired, you will have access to Government of Canada learning and development opportunities, including formal training programs in federal HR management, leadership development for managers, and specialized training in HR information systems. Professional development funding may be available for maintaining or pursuing HR certifications. The department supports continuous learning through access to online courses, workshops, and conferences relevant to human resources management and federal public service practices.
Entry Plans
Entry into this director-level position in the Government of Canada typically occurs through several pathways:
**Public Service Competitions**: DND advertises director-level HR positions through open competitions posted on the Government of Canada's job website (jobs.gc.ca). These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The selection process includes application review, written assessments, and interviews with a selection panel.
**Internal Mobility and Lateral Moves**: Current Government of Canada employees in the HR classification (HR-03 level or equivalent) with strong performance records can apply to competitions for director positions. Internal candidates often have an advantage due to existing knowledge of federal HR systems and policies.
**HR Pools**: The Public Service Commission may maintain talent pools of pre-screened HR candidates at the director level. Being on an active pool increases your chances of being appointed without a full competition.
**Career Progression**: Many directors in this role began their careers at lower HR classification levels (HR-01, HR-02, HR-03) and advanced through demonstrated performance, expanded responsibilities, and successful competition for higher positions. This progression allows you to build expertise in federal HR practices while advancing your career.
**Student and Early Career Programs**: While this is a senior position, early career HR professionals can enter the public service through programs like the Federal Student Work Program or post-secondary recruitment initiatives, building toward director-level roles over time.
Competition timelines typically range from 3-6 months from posting to final offer.
Part-Time Options
Director-level positions in Human Resources Planning and Reporting are typically full-time, permanent positions. However, the Government of Canada does offer flexibility options for qualified candidates:
**Flexible Work Arrangements**: Once hired, many directors negotiate flexible schedules with their managers, such as compressed work weeks or flexible start and end times, provided core hours and operational requirements are met. This flexibility is increasingly common in federal HR roles.
**Remote Work**: Following the shift in federal workforce practices, many HR positions, including director-level roles, offer remote or hybrid work options. Work-from-home arrangements may be available for portions of the week, with in-person attendance required for meetings and collaboration. Specific remote work arrangements depend on operational needs and manager discretion.
**Leave and Time Off**: Full-time employees receive comprehensive benefits including paid vacation (starting at 15 working days annually for new hires), sick leave, family-related leaves, and various statutory holidays. The Public Service Pension Plan provides retirement security.
**Part-Time Director Positions**: While uncommon, some part-time or job-share director positions may occasionally be available depending on organizational needs. These would be posted during recruitment and would require discussion with hiring managers about feasibility.
Prospective candidates should inquire about flexible work options during the competition process and in discussions with hiring managers, as arrangements can vary by branch and operational requirements.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
