Divisional HR Manager South Region

About the role

Divisional HR Manager South Region

Introduction

This role provides strategic Human Resources leadership for multiple operating companies within the Kelso portfolio. Based from the corporate office in Draper, Utah, the manager will own the full HR agenda across a regional group. The position requires shaping culture, driving execution, and advancing leadership capacity while maintaining a strong focus on safety and compliance. Success in this role will be defined by the ability to unlock employee potential and translate people strategy into business results.

Position Overview

The Divisional HR Manager South Region acts as a strategic business partner to divisional leadership. The primary responsibility is to translate corporate objectives into actionable HR initiatives for several operating companies. This involves owning the end-to-end HR agenda, from talent acquisition and development to performance management and employee relations. The manager will build and sustain a high-performing culture that aligns with Kelso's core values of partnership, innovation, excellence, and safety. The role demands a hands-on approach to influencing organizational outcomes through people-centric strategies.

Key Responsibilities

A core function of this position is driving intake by screening talent pipelines and aligning hiring plans with regional growth priorities. The manager will establish build practices that coordinate labor planning, compliance checks, and capability development across all sites. This includes conducting review sessions where metrics, employee feedback, and operational risks guide thoughtful decisions on workforce deployment and development.

The role involves orchestrating ship routines for performance systems, ensuring tools and processes support consistent delivery across the region. Forging partners with field leaders is essential to resolve conflicts, clarify expectations, and sustain constructive relationships. The manager will champion change by diagnosing readiness, mapping stakeholders, and smoothing the adoption of new ways of working. Guarding talent quality through structured interviews, calibration talks, and evidence-based hiring choices is a critical duty. Monitoring workforce health by interpreting data, spotting trends, and recommending actions that balance cost with capability completes the core scope of the position.

Required Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related discipline is mandatory. The candidate must bring a minimum of seven years of progressive HR leadership experience in field-based, multi-company settings. A deep understanding of employment regulations and compliance standards is required, along with proven HR methods within construction or trades environments. The ability to travel up to fifty percent across the southern region as needed is essential for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in decentralized businesses with several operating units is highly valued. Familiarity with HR platforms such as ADP Workforce Now will significantly enhance effectiveness. Background in project and change management initiatives is also preferred for this complex, multi-faceted role.

Working Conditions

The position is based in Draper, Utah, with a hybrid schedule involving three to four office days weekly. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer are expected. Travel across the South Region is required, potentially up to 50% of the time. The role may require lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally.

Compensation

The compensation for this position is $120,000.00 annually.

Application Note

Please Direct applications are the only accepted method of consideration.

What you'll do

• Meet the bar Practical notes

About the company

Kelso Industries builds scientific research vessels for government marine operations. The company name honors the late Dr John Kelso, a scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. This background is reflected in the design of vessels built to support fisheries research and water quality work. The lead vessel is a "Near Shore Fisheries Research Vessel" used for trawls, box core sampling, bottom sampling, and water quality sampling. It was commissioned in 2009 and built by ABCO Industries Lunenburg Shipyard. The vessel was ordered by the Canadian Coast Guard to replace the retiring CCGS Shark and operates from CGS Base Burlington in the Central and Arctic Region. The ship has a maximum speed near 16 knots and a cruising speed near 14 knots. Fuel capacity is about 2,848 litres, with additional water storage of 500 litres. Accommodation includes seating for ten passengers and a crew of three. This configuration supports day trips and focused research campaigns in coastal and nearshore waters.