We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director, People Development to shape and lead our training and employee development strategy. Reporting to the Vice-President, People & Culture, you will be instrumental in fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth across our international organization. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong business acumen and hands-on approach, capable of both leadership and direct contribution.

About Us:
Join The North West Company, a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets across Northern Canada, Alaska, the Caribbean and South Pacific islands. With over 6,500 employees, our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food and grocery.  Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Discover more at northwest.ca.

At NWC, we foster a collaborative and constructive culture built on being Enterprising, Committing to our Customer, Working with Passion, Leading and Developing Others, Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity, and Building Trust.

Your Role:
People Development Strategy & Program Delivery

• Develop and lead a strategic people development plan.  Ensure the plan aligns with the broader HR strategy and reflects priorities identified by business partners.
• Oversee the planning, prioritization, and development of new training and learning programs and initiatives, ensure consistency with NWC’s overall values, strategy, and business objectives.
• Develop programs and initiatives that support career development of employees. Strengthen talent within the organization, while fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.
• Oversee the delivery of role specific training to enable stores and support staff to perform successfully.
• Oversee instructional design and the development of engaging e-learning solutions.
• Provide leadership on diversity & inclusion initiatives, support the development and facilitation of cultural awareness training.

Change Management & Organizational Development

• Champion a culture of change and innovation through the development of change management tools and supports, based on best practices and organizational needs.
• Assess organizational readiness for change, identify risks and possible resistance, develop strategies to mitigate concerns and foster buy-in.
• Participate in the development of communication plans.
• Coach leaders on their role in leading change and supporting their teams.

Leadership Development

• Oversee the identification of leadership development needs and design of relevant programs; manage the delivery of leadership programs.
• Ensure leaders at all levels of the organization have the capabilities and resources to train, monitor, coach, assess and develop their teams.

Talent Management & Succession Planning

• Lead the development and implementation of talent management tools, including performance management and succession planning.
• Develop and update the performance management system with a focus on aligned goal setting, ongoing feedback, assessment of performance and career development.
• Facilitate the identification and development of high-potential employees through succession management practices; build and maintain strategic succession plans.
• Collaborate with business partners and the Director, Talent Acquisition to develop and maintain workforce plans that identify current and future talent needs.
• Implement and manage learning and talent management systems.
• Measure, assess and report on the effectiveness and business impact of all talent management programs to ensure intended outcomes are being achieved and improvement opportunities are identified.

Functional Leadership & Management

• Provide leadership to the People Development team comprised of specialists in instructional design, content development and facilitation.
• Manage external vendors to ensure the provision of high-quality, cost-effective solutions.
• Stay current with industry trends and integrate best practices into learning and development strategies.
• Manage the annual budget for the People Development team.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in talent/learning development, with at least 3–4 years in a strategic role.
• Proven success in designing and implementing enterprise learning and leadership development programs.
• Expertise in instructional design, adult learning principles, and evaluation methodologies.
• Strong experience in performance management, succession planning, and competency development.
• Proven ability to influence senior leadership and drive organizational change.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and consultative skills.
• Project management expertise and experience leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-location, and customer-driven environment.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity, with the ability to travel as required.

Location:    Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB

Reports to: Vice-President, People & Culture

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is an active job opening for a position that is currently available and we are actively seeking to fill.

For Internal Applicants Only:

Note:  All employees must have a minimum of one year of service in their current position prior to applying for other positions unless authorized by their current manager. Prior to applying, an internal employee also MUST obtain a written endorsement email from their current Manager or Manager – once – removed and provide this to the recruitment team before they can be considered for opportunities. This opportunity adheres to the Corporate job posting guidelines