HR Advisor
Alsglobal · North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
At ALS, we encourage you to dream big.
When you join us, you’ll be part of a global team harnessing the power of scientific testing and data-driven insights to build a healthier future.
About the Position:
The HR Advisor works with the HR Director to provide support in all areas of HR to an assigned client group. This role serves as a primary point of contact for managers, supervisors, and individual contributors in all areas of HR including employee relations, recruitment, performance management, onboarding, employee communications, policy guidance and HR Administration. This role also works with the HR Director to deliver on more complex, sensitive, higher-risk, and strategic matters.
This role requires sound judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to deliver practical, consistent, and compliant HR support aligned with company policies, employment legislation, and business needs.
Specific Responsibilities:
HR Advisory Support
- Act as the primary HR contact for employees, supervisors, and managers within the assigned client group;
- Provide HR advice, guidance, and support on r employment-related matters;
- Coach and support supervisors and managers on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, attendance management, and application of company policies;
- Escalate complex, high-risk, sensitive, or senior-level matters to the HR Director as appropriate;
- Support the consistent application of company policies, procedures, programs, and employment practices;
- Advise and educate employees and managers regarding company programs, benefits, policies, and HR processes;
- Collaborate with subject matter experts across the HR team, with subject matter experts across ALS, and with external support as required to deliver results.
- Support the development and maintenance of a respectful, transparent, and engaged workplace culture.
Employee Relations and Performance Management
- Support employee relations matters, including workplace concerns, employee complaints, performance issues, attendance concerns, and conflict resolution;
- Assist with investigations by gathering information, preparing documentation, coordinating meetings, and supporting follow-up actions;
- Support progressive discipline and performance improvement processes, including drafting documentation and coaching managers through appropriate next steps;
- Assist with terminations, resignations, layoffs, transfers, promotions, demotions, and other employment changes, in coordination with the HR Director;
- Conduct or support exit interviews and assist in tracking themes or trends;
- Maintain confidentiality and sound judgment when handling sensitive employee and business information.
Recruitment and Workforce Support
- Support full-cycle recruitment activities for the assigned client group, in collaboration with Talent Acquisition and hiring managers;
- Assist managers with identifying staffing needs, preparing job postings, reviewing candidates, scheduling interviews, participating in interviews, and supporting offer preparation;
- Coordinate onboarding activities and new hire orientation programs;
- Support workforce planning activities, including headcount tracking, labour optimization, internal moves, and staffing changes;
- Ensure new hire documentation and employee information is accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.
HR Program and Initiative Support
- Support the development and implementation of HR programs and initiatives, including performance management, annual compensation review, employee engagement, recognition, training and development, and policy rollouts;
- Assist in developing, coordinating, and delivering training or information sessions on HR policies, procedures, and programs;
- Support organizational development initiatives, including orientation programs, employee communications, engagement activities, and performance review processes;
- Conduct research and prepare information as required, including internal and external surveys, benchmarking, reports, and HR summaries;
- Assist with HR projects and process improvement initiatives as assigned.
Support to the HR Director
- Provide tactical, coordination, and administrative support to the HR Director in relation to HR matters involving senior managers and broader client group needs;
- Prepare draft documentation, correspondence, reports, and tracking tools;
- Assist with data gathering, analysis, and reporting to support decision-making;
- Support the HR Director in implementing HR initiatives, policy updates, organizational changes, and employee communications;
- Maintain accurate records and ensure appropriate documentation is retained in accordance with company processes.
HR Administration and Compliance
- Maintain and update employee files and HR records and systems, ensuring information is accurate, complete, confidential, and compliant with company requirements;
- Utilize HR and payroll information systems to manage employee information and support HR processes;
- Respond to routine HR inquiries from employees, managers, and external parties;
- Complete requests for information from outside sources, including employment verification, reference checks, personnel file requests, wage information, and related matters, in accordance with company policy;
- Ensure HR forms, policies, manuals, templates, and intranet content are current and accessible;
- Assist with employee communications, employee events, and HR-related announcements;
- Ensure compliance with applicable provincial and federal employment standards, human rights, privacy, employment equity, and other employment-related legislation;
- Observe established safety regulations and comply with all ALS health and safety policies and procedures;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Strong working knowledge of human resources practices, employment standards, human rights, privacy, and related employment legislation;
- Ability to provide practical HR advice to employees, supervisors, and junior managers while recognizing when to escalate complex matters;
- Strong customer service orientation with the ability to build effective working relationships across all levels of the organization;
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment;
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal;
- Ability to coach and guide managers through HR processes, employee relations matters, and performance management issues;
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitments;
- Demonstrated judgment, integrity, critical thinking, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability;
- Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a broader HR team;
- Ability to effectively handle escalations and time-sensitive issues;
- Professional, tactful, and approachable style;
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and HR information systems;
- Ability to prepare clear documentation, reports, correspondence, and employee communications;
- Ability to present information to small groups and support delivery of HR training or information sessions;
- Results-oriented with a focus on the business impact and a sense of urgency.
Required Qualifications:
- Completion of a university degree and/or college diploma in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Minimum of 2 to 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably in a coordinator, advisor, or generalist capacity;
- Experience providing HR support to employees and managers in an operational or multi-site environment is an asset;
- Experience with employee relations, recruitment, performance management, H