Company: Meridian Credit Union

Location: Etobicoke, ON

Expected salary:

Job date: Sun, 30 Mar 2025 05:58:23 GMT

Job description: Description :About this opportunityAt Meridian our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.Our DEIBR focus is an important element within our Meridian for Good strategy as we strengthen our focus on ESG and what it means to be purpose driven. This role will drive the strategic diversity, equity and inclusion agenda at Meridian.This position will ensure that our DEIBR goals, planned actions, and initiatives support the successful execution of our Meridian for Good strategy and align with our People and Culture.This role will play a vital role by building and enabling a diverse and highly engaged workforce and inclusive working culture through the oversight and project management of critical Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging initiatives. In addition, this individual is responsible to analyze, design and deliver programs and projects company-wide, events and activities in support of DEIB initiatives as well as providing insights and recommendations related to trends, gaps, and measured outcomes.The lead will execute a multi-year strategy that means we are both an employer of choice and equipped to meet our business ambitions, breaking this down into annual action plans and articulating this to key stakeholders.Key Responsibilities:Corporate/Enterprise Support

• Champion a diverse, inclusive and member focused culture to deepen our representation and understanding of underrepresented groups to inform our DEIBR strategy and help the organization integrate our purpose into everything we do.
• Build effective working relationships with key DEI stakeholders across the enterprise to build alignment and strategic focus on DEIBR priorities and initiatives to better support the financial requirements of the communities and members that we serve.
• Identify DEIBR opportunities across the organization and conduct ongoing analysis to identify gaps & opportunities and make recommendations to align with and support enterprise strategy.
• Lead research on key areas of DEIBR opportunities aligned with emerging trends, current language and best practices, ensuring strategic initiatives are forward looking and support business objectives.
• Leverage internal/external best practices to develop and execute innovative approaches to DEIBR programs to further embed diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence across the organization and externally in the community
• Lead the design and delivery of the strategic DEIBR plan with defined roadmap to help further our diversity and inclusion agenda, working in partnership with Employee Resource Groups, HR Partners, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition team and other colleagues to move our DEIBR focus forward at Meridian.
• Monitor and ensure that both internal and external DEIBR programs and projects meet milestones and goals as outlined in the roadmap.
• Manage DEIB budgets (DEIBR Office Social Impact Fund Allocation), invoices, SOWs, and contracts, tracking and reporting on budget. Align investment decisions with the DEIBR plan and report on investment impact.
• Develop and launch the DEIBR Executive Council and work with leadership team to help cascade key messaging by joining leadership meetings, and/or facilitating working sessions, as required.
• Develop and launch the DEIBR Executive Council and work with leadership team to help cascade key messaging by joining leadership meetings, and/or facilitating working sessions, as required.
• Identify, organize and analyze DEI data and metrics in the DEI dashboard.
• Develop an online DEIBR resources hub and complete Phase 2 Workforce Diversity Census initiatives .

Leadership Effectiveness

• Provide clear direction, support and guidance to direct report(s) as well as the employee resource groups to ensure the DEIBR teams’ success.
• Promote professional development and a positive employee engagement.
• Bring MFG to Life for your employees; improving communication and transparency; leading change; demonstrating effective cost management; and embracing data and AI.

Business Partnership Support

• Partner with Retail, Wealth & Business Banking to advance workplace inclusion and explore additional opportunities for delivering Financial Confidence Coaching to equity deserving groups via community partnerships.
• Work closely with the DEIBR Partner, Employee Resource Group members, business leaders, Learning & Development and the Communications team to design and implement relevant and practical approaches, tools, resources, and educational programs available to advance DEIBR across Meridian.
• Leverage internal/external best practices to develop and execute innovative approaches to DEIBR programs to further embed diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence across the organization.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications teams to build Meridian’s external DEIBR brand.

Community & ERG Support

• Represent Meridian Financial Services in community outreach programs, collaborate with Social Impact and ESG team to partner with local organizations to support financial literacy and inclusion initiatives.
• Collaborate with product teams to provide feedback and support to inform the design of financial products and services that cater to the needs of diverse customer segments.
• Participate in industry conferences and panels, sharing best practices. Champion internal and external advocates for diversity and inclusion practices.
• Work with key stakeholders (i.e. vendor management) to ensure the institution’s procurement practices include diverse suppliers, promoting economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and ERGs to build on the annual calendar of DEIB events, supporting internal events, workshops, and initiatives. Assist DEIBR, Partner & ERGs with the Days of Significance calendar.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A proven track record of developing and executing a multi-year DEIBR strategy and action plan for both business stakeholders and internal employee resource groups with measurable results, ideally for a financial institution.
• Expert in coaching & influencing employees and leaders, gaining buy in by relationship building.
• Experience analyzing and designing programs, managing DEIBR budgets, and collaborating with various teams to promote an inclusive culture and support community outreach programs.
• Previous experience within working within DEI; demonstrated awareness of all facets of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant HR experience or strategic initiatives experience.
• Project management experience with ability to implement corporate change strategies in partnership with senior leadership and across functions.
• Strong business acumen supplemented with the proven ability to build successful and effective relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization.
• Proven communication, facilitation, and presentation skills to promote ideas persuasively and effectively, win buy-in for initiatives and work through conflicts, in order to ensure operational alignment and high impact execution.
• Ability to translate evidence-based strategy into actionable plans.

Education, Designations, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree Human Resources or related field of study or equivalent, relevant work experience.
• 7-10+ years’ experience in DEIB (EEO/AAP, Business/Employee Resource Group management, DEIB initiatives and facilitation).
• CHRL or other HR designation, or in progress is an asset.
• Previous experience working within a global matrix environment.
• Results-oriented in managing and executing multiple programs simultaneously.

Office Location: 3330 Bloor Street West, Toronto OR 75 Corporate Park Drive, St. Catharines. This is a hybrid work opportunity.Meridian has a remote work policy that allows flexibility for employees to work remotely but also requires a minimum of semi-monthly regular time in the office for purposeful meetings to collaborate, innovate and build effective relationships with your team, your colleagues and your leader which is important to us.What’s in it for you?

• We have an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages teamwork, creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success!
• We provide you with the tools and technology needed to delight your candidates and clients!
• You will get to work with and learn from diverse industry leaders and colleagues, who have hailed from top organizations.
• Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate and build relationships with your colleagues.
• This is not your typical “corporate” job. We work hard and we have fun!

Who we are:Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, and second largest in Canada, helping to grow the lives of our more than 380,000 Members. Meridian has more than 80 years of banking history and is 100% owned by its members. With 87 retail branches and 15 Business Banking Centers across Ontario and $ 32B in assets under management, Meridian offers a full range of financial products and services to its retail, business banking and wealth members. With over 2200 employees and corporate offices located in Toronto and St. Catharines, Meridian has a track record of creating and delivering innovative new offerings and is committed to investing in the communities that we serve. Our plan is to build on our momentum as we deliver on our purpose – helping our members achieve their best life.Find our story here:Experience the Difference!Meridian committed to promoting an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to employing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities and Members in which we live and serve.Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.Please note that due to the volume of applications, only those under consideration will be contacted for an interview.Thank you for your interest in Meridian Credit Union.Follow us on Twitter at#LI-TJ1#LI-HYBRID