Description and Requirements

Title: VP, Human ResourcesPosition Type: Full-time/ PermanentLocation: GTA, ON (Hybrid; 2 days in-office)Compensation: $220 K salary + 20-25% bonus + LTIP + Benefits THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is seeking a Vice President, Human Resources to establish and scale the people function through a pivotal period of North American growth, acquisition integration and organizational transformation. Reporting directly to the CEO, this executive will be the senior people leader and a trusted advisor to the CEO and operating leadership.

The business spans Canadian Operations, U.S. Operations and a broad franchise network, each with distinct people needs and varying levels of HR maturity. The opportunity is to create a coherent, commercially grounded people strategy without losing the entrepreneurial spirit, speed and close relationships that have defined the company’s success.

This is a hands-on executive builder role—not a mandate to administer a fully formed HR function. The successful candidate will be as comfortable examining employee data and designing processes as advising the CEO, guiding organizational decisions and developing future leaders.

THE MANDATE

Establish the North American HR Operating Model

Immerse in all three business streams, assess existing HR talent and capabilities, and define the future organizational structure, accountabilities and governance. Establish a practical resourcing plan, clear ownership of workforce data and a prioritized roadmap that allows critical workstreams to move in parallel.

Create the Foundational People Infrastructure

Build reliable employee census and workforce intelligence, strengthen core policies and compliance across Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions, and evaluate U.S. benefits. Define a scalable HRIS and people-technology strategy, with sound data controls and appropriate payroll alignment rather than unnecessary standardization.

Support Growth, Acquisitions and Operational Excellence

Develop a repeatable people-integration approach for acquisitions, from diligence and employee risk through communications, retention and onboarding. Strengthen critical-role recruiting, onboarding and employee experience, and equip operating leaders to identify and address preventable turnover.

Build Leadership and Long-Term Organizational Capability

Establish practical leadership expectations and performance accountability,



then progressively introduce job architecture, compensation and Total Rewards frameworks, succession planning and management development. Help shape the longer-term vision while preserving a strong promote-from-within culture.

First 90 Days | Listen, Assess and Prioritize

Develop a grounded understanding of U.S. Operations, Canadian Operations and Franchising; assess the existing HR team, processes, workforce data, systems and people risks. Engage employees and leaders, distinguish enterprise-wide needs from business-specific requirements, and agree a realistic 12-month roadmap with the Group CEO.

Months 2–6 | Establish the Foundations

Define the HR operating model and deliver a formal HR resourcing plan by Month 4. Build a dependable North American employee census and clear data ownership; establish the compliance and policy baseline; address material exposures promptly; assess U.S. benefits; and begin strengthening critical-role onboarding and retention intelligence.

Beyond the Foundations | Build and Scale

Sequence M&A; people integration, HRIS modernization, job architecture and Total Rewards alongside leadership accountability, performance management, succession and development.

The roadmap is directional: the incoming VP will adjust timing based on what they discover and accelerate initiatives when business or people risks demand it.

THE EXECUTIVE WE ARE SEEKING A commercially minded HR leader with the strategic judgment to advise a Group CEO and the operational credibility to build an evolving function from the ground up.

The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

Senior HR leadership across multi-site, distributed or operational organizations, with meaningful Canada and U.S. experience.

Firsthand success assessing, building and scaling HR teams, operating models, policies, systems and governance—not only managing mature functions.

Experience navigating growth, acquisitions, organizational integration and competing stakeholder priorities.

Capability in workforce analytics, employee listening, retention improvement,



leadership development, performance and succession.

Working knowledge of HR technology, cross-border employment risk and Total Rewards, with the judgment to engage specialists where needed.

Executive presence, sound business judgment and the willingness to remain accessible to frontline employees and operational leaders.

Experience in private equity, franchising, frontline services or seasonal workforces is valuable but not required. The essential differentiator is a track record of building pragmatic people capabilities that strengthen a growing business.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

This client values people who act with urgency, take ownership and build trust. This leader will listen before prescribing, speak candidly when difficult issues arise, influence through credibility rather than control, and preserve a relationship-oriented culture while introducing greater structure and consistency.

Within corporate operations, the VP will influence, design and execute. Across the franchise network, the role will advise, enable and provide resources while respecting franchise independence and appropriate boundaries. Success requires both enterprise perspective and a genuine appreciation of the realities facing operators and employees.

THE OPPORTUNITY AHEAD

This is a rare opportunity to shape the HR function at a formative stage, partner directly with the Group CEO and build the people infrastructure and leadership capabilities that will support the company's next chapter of North American growth.

All interested applicants who meet the qualifications listed above are invited to submit a resume by clicking “Apply Now.”

The indicated pay range is a good‑faith estimate based on required qualifications, experience, training, and other factors permitted by law. It reflects the pay band established by the client company. Actual offers may vary depending on skills, experience, geographic location, and expected work quality. Most candidates start in the lower half of the range.

Pay history is not considered where prohibited by law. This information serves as a general guideline for compensation discussions.

To support a fair and effective hiring process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help review applications. Our team carefully reviews all candidates, and AI is used only as a support tool—never as the sole decision-maker.

📌 Vice President, Human Resources (Ontario)
🏢 wilson
📍 Ontario