This position requires in-person collaboration up to five days a week. This arrangement is subject to change based on business requirements.
Why WestJet:
Since our story took off in 1996, WestJet has strived to enrich the lives of everyone in our world; a career with us is no exception. We’re proud to be one of Canada’s most admired and respected corporate cultures and continuously aim for the highest standards of service and success.
Join us, this is where your career story takes off.
Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead, Leadership Programs. Reporting to the Director, Talent Strategy and Programs this role is responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous evolution of enterprise leadership talent strategies and programs. This role is located in Calgary and will operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and the HR team. The role leads strategic initiatives related to cross-functional mobility, succession planning and development, career progression, accelerated leadership development, and high-potential talent readiness in service of delivering on our business plan.
The role is accountable for designing and advancing integrated leadership talent practices that support the organization's current and future workforce needs. Using talent insights, workforce data, and best practices, the Senior Advisor identifies opportunities to strengthen leadership readiness, mitigate talent risks, and support business continuity. The position contributes directly to organizational talent outcomes by ensuring leadership talent strategies are aligned with organizational priorities and capable of supporting long-term growth and transformation.
Accountabilities
Organizational Leadership Strategy
Leads the development and implementation of leadership talent strategies that support organizational objectives and future workforce requirements. Identifies emerging leadership capability needs, assesses organizational readiness, and develops initiatives that strengthen how we prepare our leaders to lead through change. Partners with senior leaders and HR stakeholders to align leadership talent investments with business priorities and long-term organizational goals.
Succession Planning & Leadership Governance
Provides strategic leadership for senior leadership succession planning practices, frameworks, and processes. Monitors organizational bench strength, succession readiness, and critical role coverage while identifying opportunities for cross-functional movement, key risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
Leadership Pipeline & Talent Acceleration
Designs and implements strategies that identify, develop, and accelerate high-potential talent into future leadership roles. Oversees leadership pipeline health through the evaluation of talent flow, readiness, mobility, and development outcomes. Develops approaches that strengthen leadership depth and support the organization's ability to meet its performance objectives.
Leadership Development Programs
Leads the strategic design, build, and delivery of leadership development frameworks, programs, and experiences that build organizational leadership capability. Collaborates with training, broader talent management, HR business partners, and business leaders to establish leadership competencies, development pathways, and targeted interventions that support leader growth at all levels. Facilitates leadership programs as needed and evaluates program effectiveness and recommends enhancements to maximize business impact and participant outcomes.
Leadership Insights
Utilizes leadership talent data, workforce data and market trends to assess leadership pipeline health and organizational capability. Develops meaningful metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools that support decision-making and provide visibility into succession outcomes, leadership readiness, diversity within leadership pipelines, retention of key talent, and program effectiveness. Translates data into actionable recommendations for leaders and executives.
Stakeholder Consulting & Enterprise Influence
Acts as a trusted advisor to leaders, HR Business Partners, and executive stakeholders on matters related to leadership talent strategy, succession planning, talent development, and organizational capability. Influences decision-making through expertise, credibility, and evidence-based recommendations. Builds strong partnerships across the organization to drive alignment, adoption, and successful execution of talent initiatives.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
Research emerging trends, leading practices, and innovative approaches in talent management, leadership development, succession planning, and workforce strategy. Recommends and implements enhancements that improve organizational effectiveness, strengthen leadership capability, and position the organization for future success.
Skills & Attributes
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, beyond immediate talent needs and develop long-term strategies that support organizational objectives and future requirements.
- Strong understanding of organizational drivers, business priorities, headwinds, and the relationship between talent decisions and business performance.
- Ability to build credibility and influence decisions at senior leadership levels through consultation, facilitation, data, and subject matter expertise.
- Deep knowledge of leadership development, succession planning, talent reviews, career management, workforce planning, high-potential programs, and organizational capability development.
- Ability to synthesize data, talent metrics, and external trends into meaningful insights that support strategic decision-making.
- Skilled at leading complex discussions, facilitation, managing diverse stakeholder perspectives, and achieving alignment across organizational groups.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish trusted partnerships across all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to challenge traditional approaches, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement innovative talent solutions.
Experience & Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Psychology, or related discipline.
- Minimum 8-10 years of progressive experience in talent management, talent strategy, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience designing and leading enterprise-wide talent management or leadership development initiatives.
- Experience facilitating talent reviews, succession planning discussions, and leadership assessment processes with senior leaders.
- Experience developing talent strategies informed by workforce analytics, organizational priorities, and future capability requirements.
- Strong understanding of leadership development methodologies, talent identification practices, career pathing frameworks, and succession management principles.
- Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and organizational priorities.
- Proven ability to influence strategic decisions without formal authority.
- Experience working with executive leaders and providing consultation on talent-related matters.
- Professional designation such as CPHR, CHRL, PCC, or related credentials would be considered an asset.
The benefits of being a WestJetter:
WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:
- A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
- Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
- Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs
Think we’re a great fit? Apply now!
About WestJet Group of Companies
WestJet took to the skies in 1996 with just over 200 employees and three aircraft operating service to five destinations. Since then, WestJet has pioneered low-cost travel in Canada, cutting airfares in half, and increasing the flying population in Canada by more than 50 per cent. Since the Sunwing Airlines integration in 2025, more than 15,000 WestJetters support nearly 200 aircraft and connect guests to our global network of more than 100 destinations across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. The WestJet Group is a major Canadian employer and includes WestJet Airlines, WestJet Encore and Sunwing Vacations Group. We’re Canada’s leading value airline and largest vacation provider, with a united purpose of providing affordable and accessible air and vacation travel to Canadians.
Our safety promise
At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. Safety and security are shared responsibilities all team members are expected to use safe work practices to ensure their well-being and the safety of others. WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as Safey-Sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy.
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
We embrace what makes each of us unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. We welcome diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds so if you're passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply – even if you don't meet every qualification listed. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity and accessibility throughout the selection process. If you require accommodation at any stage, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at talent@westjet.com.
We value the time and effort you put into your application. Our recruitment process is highly competitive and while every applicant will receive communication regarding their application status, only those selected to move forward will be contacted with next steps. If this role isn’t the right fit, we encourage you to explore future opportunities with us.
For more information about everything WestJet, please westjet.com/aboutus.
If you wish to withdraw your application or request that your personal information be deleted, please contact us at talent@westjet.com.
