FIRST UNITED is aregistered charity that has been serving Vancouvers Downtown Eastsidecommunity for 140 years. We offer responsive low-barrier services toindividuals who are low-income underhoused or homeless. We pursue dignitybelonging and justice to meet the daily needs of community members whileengaging in systems change work to reduce homelessness and break cycles ofpoverty. If youre looking for purpose-filled work and want to make adifference in the community this might be the opportunity for you.

FIRST UNITED is seekingapplications for the position of Associate Director People & Culture. InApril 2026 FIRST is moving into our new building on the corner of Hastings andGore. This is a milestone moment for our organization. This new buildingenables us to deepen our impact of a neighbourhood where every persons worthis celebrated and all people thrive. We are seeking a values-aligned People& Culture leader to support our staff ahead of the transition and beyond.

WHAT WE OFFER:

Salary: $85982 -$95465

• Annual salary progression for all staff.
• Comprehensive and 100% employer-paid health benefits including extended health and dental plan for regular staff spouses and dependents.
• United Church of Canada defined benefit pension plan; employee contribution rate 6% employer contribution rate 9%.
• Life insurance Long-term Disability and AD&D benefits.
• 20 days of paid annual vacation.
• 13 statutory paid days off every year and 12 days of paid sick leave.

Each job within theFirst United Church Community Ministry Society should promote ouraccomplishment of our vision mission and values.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Associate DirectorPeople & Culture will join the Senior Leadership Team to lead all aspectsof human resources staff and culture strategy. This role will lead the People& Culture team in stewarding FIRSTs culture developing our people andensuring our organization continues to thrive as an inclusive impactful andvalues-driven workplace.

This role combines HRexecution with strategic expertise across the full employee lifecycle. Thesuccessful candidate will strengthen employee engagement build succession andstability and lead HR systems that recruit develop and retain top talent insupport of the organizations vision of a neighbourhood where every personsworth is celebrated and all people thrive.

SPECIFIC DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIES:

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Develop and lead a comprehensive People & Culture strategy aligned with FIRST vision and goals.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Senior Leadership Team on all HR-related matters.
• Champion an inclusive workplace culture centered in our pillars of dignity belonging and justice.
• Execute on HR initiatives in collaboration with the People & Culture team.
• Provide leadership to the People & Culture team.
• Enhance organizational capacity and employee engagement.
• Oversee all employee life cycle programs: recruitment hiring onboarding performance learning and development engagement and offboarding.
• Provide guidance on compensation benefits leave disciplinary matters disputes and investigations and occupational health and safety.
• Ensure HR policies and practices are compliant with employment legislation and employee relations compliance.
• Manage employee relations conflict resolution and workplace investigations with dignity and integrity.
• Optimize HR systems tools and processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Use data and analytics to inform decision-making and workforce planning Monitors and ensures FIRSTs compliance with provincial and federal employment laws and regulations and recommended best practices; reviews and modifies policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Research and identify trends best practices regulatory changes and new technologies in human resources talent management and employment law; applies this knowledge to integrate changes in policy practice and culture.
• Develops and implements departmental budget.
• Facilitates professional development training and certification activities for HR staff.
• Coordinates with senior leadership to ensure departments are well-resourced to facilitate professional development training and certification activities for all departmental staff as needed.
• Performs other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Exceptional team player flexible in sharing roles and responsibilities.
• Strong ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong people leader with experience leading inclusive thriving workplaces.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement develop People & Culture strategy plans and processes.
• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector.
• Strong recruitment and talent acquisition skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions work well under pressure meet deadlines and adapt to change.
• Strong project management skills: ability to manage multiple projects and support multiple priorities simultaneously.
• High level of professionalism and ethics.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with grievances discipline and union environments.
• Coaching skills.
• Positive energy.
• Has engaged in equity and inclusion training i.e. anti-racism anti-oppression JEDDI.

EDUCATION &EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent education and experience in People & Culture and/or Human Resources.
• Professional designation such as CPHR CHRL or HCS.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive HR leadership experience with strong HR Generalist expertise.
• Previous experience in a unionized environment.
• Experience implementing HR strategy in complex multi-stakeholder environments.
• Skilled in negotiation mediation conflict resolution bargaining and employee relations.
• Deep commitment to equity diversity and inclusion.
• Able to balance being both strategic and executing initiatives.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Thorough knowledge of employment- and labour-related laws and regulations.
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organizations HRIS and talent management systems.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisoryresponsibility

• HR Generalist
• Senior Operations Coordinator

Latitude

The Associate DirectorPeople & Culture reports to the Senior Director Finance andAdministration. This individual collaborates frequently with colleagues inleadership management as well as with bargaining unit staff.

INTERNAL/EXTERNALRELATIONSHIPS:

• Regular communication is maintained with all levels of staff and management as work is assigned and completed and information exchanged on an ongoing basis.
• CSSEA: intermittent communication with Community Social Service Employers Association relating to First Uniteds CSSEA membership HR and Labour Relations Support from CSSEA and Collective Bargaining.
• UFCW1518: regular communication with job stewards and union rep regarding composition of committees scheduling of disciplinary meetings OH&S and Joint Labour meetings.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.