Director of Human Resources in Toronto

Due to continued business growth and expansion, and internal leadership movement, our client is seeking an experienced, strategic, and dynamic Director, Human Resources to lead the people agenda for their Toronto site. As the senior HR leader for the site, this individual will serve as a key member of both the Site Leadership Team and the broader global HR organization. The role is responsible for partnering with business leaders to drive organizational effectiveness, foster a high-performance culture, support transformational growth, and ensure the development of a sustainable and engaged workforce.

The Director, Human Resources will play a critical role in aligning people strategies with business priorities, influencing organizational direction, and enabling operational success within a rapidly growing and highly dynamic manufacturing environment. As the HR leader for a 24/7 manufacturing facility, this role requires a highly visible, hands-on, and engaged onsite presence. The successful candidate will demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to provide effective HR leadership and support across the site's operational schedule while maintaining strong connections with employees and leaders at all levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the Site Head and Site Leadership Team.
• Build collaborative and effective partnerships with site leadership, internal stakeholders, the HR Strategic Partner, and the global HR network.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term HR strategies aligned with business objectives and the site vision.
• Translate business strategy into actionable people priorities and execution plans that drive organizational performance.
• Challenge and influence leaders to continuously improve organizational effectiveness, team performance, and talent development.
• Lead organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and talent management initiatives.
• Drive all people-related aspects of business transformation, growth, and change management programs.
• Provide strategic HR guidance that mitigates business risk while fostering positive employee relations.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Develop and implement employee engagement strategies that strengthen culture, improve engagement outcomes, and enhance workforce experience.
• Build and sustain robust talent pipelines to meet current and future business needs in a highly competitive talent market.
• Deliver global HR initiatives while achieving site-specific people and business objectives.
• Leverage workforce data, analytics, and metrics to assess effectiveness, identify trends, and inform decision-making.
• Serve as a critical link between operational teams and senior leadership, ensuring alignment across business priorities.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Psychology, or a related field.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related discipline preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including leading a broad HR function as part of a senior leadership team.
• Experience within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Proven success partnering with senior business leaders to develop and execute people strategies that drive business results.
• Strong expertise in employment law, compensation, organizational development, workforce planning, employee relations, talent management, safety, training, and labor relations.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change and business transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and drive cultural transformation in complex organizations.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and job-related knowledge. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.