Job Description

Manager, People and Culture

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Position Title: Manager, People & Culture 
Accountability to: Director, Finance & Operations 
Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time 
Location: Toronto, Ontario 
Salary Range: $85,000 – $95,000 per year 

Position Summary

The Manager, People & Culture provides strategic and operational leadership for all people-related functions within a public sector, community-based organization. The role ensures compliance with employment legislation, collective agreements, and sector standards while promoting a positive employee experience, strong organizational culture, and staff wellbeing.

Reporting to the Director, Finance & Operations, the Manager works closely with the Executive Director and Management Team to lead labour relations, workforce planning, performance management, occupational health and safety, compensation and benefits, policy development, and organizational development initiatives. Occasional work outside of regular hours may be required.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Advisory

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on People & Culture strategy, labour relations, and organizational change

• Ensure People & Culture practices align with organizational values, mission, and strategic priorities

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, collective agreements, and sector standards

• Promote positive labour relations, psychological safety, and participatory management

Labour Relations & Employee Relations

• Lead labour relations in a unionized environment, including collective agreement interpretation

• Advise management on performance management, attendance, accommodation, discipline, and termination

• Support grievance prevention and resolution and liaise with legal counsel when required

• Participate in collective bargaining and Labour Management Committee activities

Talent, Performance & Workforce Planning

• Provide leadership for recruitment, selection, onboarding, and workforce planning processes

• Support equitable and inclusive hiring practices

• Lead performance management frameworks and support managers with coaching and feedback

• Support staff development, retention, succession planning, and leadership development

Employee Experience, Culture & Wellbeing

• Champion initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, inclusion, and organizational culture

• Promote staff recognition, mental health, workload sustainability, and overall wellbeing

• Apply an equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-oppression lens across all practices

HR Operations, Systems & Health & Safety

• Oversee HR systems, records, reporting, and data compliance

• Ensure job descriptions, compensation, and pay equity processes are current and aligned

• Lead occupational health and safety compliance and collaborate with Joint Health & Safety Committees

• Oversee accommodation, injury management, and return-to-work processes

Required Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of progressive Human Resources / People & Culture experience, including demonstrated responsibility for day-to-day HR operations and people leadership

• Demonstrated experience applying labour and employment legislation and supporting labour relations in a unionized environment, including collective agreement interpretation and grievance processes

• Experience working in healthcare, community health, social services, or a community-based nonprofit environment

• Strong experience in recruitment and selection, onboarding, employee records administration, and benefits and pension administration

• Demonstrated experience in Human Resources policy development, review, and implementation

• Experience supporting or managing grievance processes, investigations, and employee relations matters

• Experience with job evaluation, pay equity processes, and human resources planning

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare policies, job descriptions, reports, and provide clear guidance to managers and staff

• High level of judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential and sensitive information

• Proficiency in HRIS, payroll, and office software, including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with HR/payroll systems is an asset

• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within and across interdisciplinary teams, and to act as a trusted advisor to leaders

• Demonstrated understanding of anti-oppression, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles, and ability to apply these in people practices

• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, age, and socio-economic backgrounds

• CHRP or CHRL designation considered an asset

• University degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Knowledge of issues affecting diverse urban communities considered an asset