People & Culture Lead
Design Talks Institute (d.talks)
Location: Calgary-based/Remote-friendly
Type: Contract, Initial 6 – 12 months, with potential to evolve
Time Commitment: Part-time (approx. 8 – 12 hrs/week to start)
Deadline: February 15, 2026
About d.talks
Design Talks Institute (d.talks) is a Calgary-based non-profit dedicated to building a vibrant, inclusive design culture through public programming, Design Week Calgary and year-round community engagement.
We work with designers, artists, thinkers, volunteers, partners and sponsors to explore how design shapes our cities, systems, and relationships. As we grow, we’re investing intentionally in the people and culture that make this work possible.
About the Role
We are seeking a people & culture lead to help steward the human side of d.talks as our organization scales.
This role sits at the intersection of care, clarity and systems — supporting contractors, volunteers and leadership by building healthy structures, thoughtful processes and a strong internal culture.
This is not a traditional HR role. It’s about creating the conditions for people to do their best work.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
People & Culture
- Support a positive, inclusive and values-aligned organizational culture
- Act as a point of care and clarity for contractors and volunteers
- Help shape how d.talks works internally as we grow
Volunteer Experience
- Support and evolve volunteer onboarding, engagement and offboarding
- Work closely with the volunteer coordinator to ensure a strong volunteer experience
- Help document volunteer workflows and best practices
Internal Systems & Processes
- Support clear role definitions, contracts and expectations
- Help improve internal documentation and “how we work” resources
- Collaborate with leadership on systems that support accountability and wellbeing
Policies & Foundations
- Help develop and maintain people-focused policies (onboarding, conduct, feedback, etc.)
- Support leadership with people-related decisions and transitions
- Contribute to long-term organizational sustainability
Who You Are
You might be a great fit if you:
- Are thoughtful, organized and people-centred
- Have experience in people operations, HR, community management or organizational development
- Are comfortable working in a small, evolving organization
- Can balance empathy with clarity and boundaries
- Care deeply about culture, equity and healthy teams
- Enjoy building systems that actually get used
Experience in non-profits, arts, culture, or volunteer-driven organizations is an asset, but not required.
Why Join d.talks
- Be part of a values-driven organization shaping Calgary’s design ecosystem
- Help build an organization the right way, not just fast
- Work alongside a passionate, thoughtful team
- Opportunity to grow the role as the organization evolves
How to Apply
Please send:
- A short note about who you are and why you’re interested
- Your relevant experience (resume, LinkedIn, or brief summary)
Send to shannon@dtalks.org by email.
