As a Director General in Performance and Talent Management, you will lead strategic human resources initiatives across the Department of National Defence. You will be responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs, and systems that attract, develop, and retain top talent while ensuring organizational performance excellence. This senior leadership role involves overseeing a team of HR professionals, managing significant budgets, and partnering with senior military and civilian leadership to address complex workforce challenges.
In this position, you will shape the future of DND's human resources strategy by identifying talent gaps, designing succession plans, and creating performance management frameworks that align with departmental priorities. You will drive organizational change, lead policy development, and ensure compliance with Treasury Board and Public Service Commission requirements. Your work will have a direct impact on the readiness and effectiveness of Canada's defence organization.
You will operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and change management are essential. This role requires strong communication skills to influence senior leaders and the ability to translate complex HR concepts into actionable strategies. You will collaborate across multiple departments, work with unions and employee representatives, and manage competing priorities in support of the Canadian Armed Forces and DND civilian workforce.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver performance and talent management services to managers and employees, Advise on HR policies, procedures, and best practices, Process HR transactions and maintain accurate records, Support organizational HR initiatives and programs
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, Relevant technical skills, Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving
Typical Education
Education and experience commensurate with the role requirements
Training
To succeed in this role, you typically need a university degree in human resources management, business administration, organizational psychology, or a related field. Many successful candidates hold a master's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration (MBA), or Public Administration.
Professional certifications are valuable and may include designation through the Canadian HR Profession (CHRP) or equivalent credentials. Experience with federal public service policies, labour relations, and organizational development is highly beneficial.
Continuous professional development is expected at this level. The Public Service provides access to executive leadership programs, advanced training in strategic management, change leadership, and specialized HR topics. You may also pursue advanced certifications in areas such as executive coaching, organizational effectiveness, or strategic workforce planning. Participation in Treasury Board learning initiatives and inter-departmental knowledge-sharing forums is encouraged to stay current with evolving HR practices in the federal government.
Entry Plans
Entry to this Director General level position typically occurs through competitive staffing processes managed by the Public Service Commission. Candidates usually progress through intermediate HR management positions (such as Manager or Senior Advisor roles) before competing for Director-level opportunities.
Common pathways include lateral movement from other federal departments with demonstrated success in senior HR leadership roles, or promotion from within DND after building expertise in specific talent management areas. Some candidates enter through specialized recruitment for executives with extensive private sector or international HR leadership experience.
The Public Service uses various mechanisms to identify qualified candidates, including advertised competitions, executive appointment pools, and targeted recruitment for specialized expertise. Interested candidates should monitor job postings on the Government of Canada Jobs website and explore the Public Service Talent Cloud platform. Building a strong track record in HR management roles, obtaining relevant certifications, and developing expertise in defence or public sector HR will strengthen your competitiveness for Director General positions.
Part-Time Options
Director General positions are typically full-time, permanent roles given the strategic nature of the responsibilities and the requirement for regular executive engagement with senior leadership. However, the federal Public Service is committed to supporting work-life balance.
Flexible work arrangements may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, depending on operational requirements and departmental priorities. Remote or hybrid work options may be available for portions of the role, particularly for activities such as policy development, research, and individual consultation work. However, you should expect to spend regular time in the office for meetings, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
As a senior executive, you would be expected to maintain availability for urgent departmental matters and may be required to work extended hours during critical periods such as policy implementation, organizational restructuring, or emergency response situations. The specific arrangements would be discussed during the hiring process and would be subject to departmental operational needs.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
