People & Culture Manager

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario regulates physiotherapists and exists to protect and serve the public. This is a remote position with occasional on-site attendance required in Toronto.

About the role

The People & Culture Manager is responsible for supporting the College’s People & Culture strategy and programs, including recruitment, talent management, development, and employee relations. This role supports the senior leadership team by executing People & Culture functions, overseeing strategies, initiatives, and programs that align with the College’s mission, vision, values, and corporate objectives. Key focus areas include talent acquisition, team integration, performance management, and organizational culture.

This role is ideal for a self-starter with a strategic mindset who can implement People & Culture strategies to meet business needs and organizational objectives. Success requires strategic thinking, integrity, creative problem-solving, and the ability to build strong relationships at all levels.

Responsibilities

• People Strategy
  • Establish measurable People & Culture goals that support the College’s mission, vision, and values.
  • Work closely with leaders to understand business strategy, talent needs, and people implications.
  • Help leaders identify, prioritize, and build organizational capabilities, behaviors, structures, and processes.
  • Support the senior leadership team in developing the people strategy for the organization.
  • Review and analyze HRIS data to identify trends and recommend solutions for performance, retention, and engagement.
  • Ensure compensation practices reflect current market trends.
  • Oversee benefits management.
• Organizational Effectiveness
  • Support organizational development, leadership development, and employee training programs (including outsourcing as required).
  • Participate in organization design conversations with senior leadership and suggest strategic recommendations.
  • Make creative recommendations to build organizational capacity and advance effectiveness.
  • Develop an annual training plan for all staff aligned with organizational strategy.
  • Identify key talent development opportunities and support career growth initiatives.
  • Collaborate with managers to identify training needs and manage training budgets, resources, and logistics.
  • Track and report on annual staff training programs.
• Talent Management and Workforce Planning
  • Facilitate succession planning and assist in accelerating the capacity of mid-level leaders.
  • Provide confidential guidance to senior leadership and managers on People & Culture policies, compliance, performance management, terminations, and HR needs.
  • Assist managers in recruitment, ensuring consistency in process, effective onboarding, and integration of new hires.
  • Support overall recruitment, onboarding, and outsourced hiring processes, programs, and policies.
  • Ensure effective team functioning through team building, employee engagement, and recognition programs.
  • Lead weekly staff meetings, quarterly in-person staff events, and ongoing engagement activities.
• Business Group Support
  • Debrief the senior leadership team and managers on People & Culture matters.
  • Oversee the development, maintenance, and updating of organizational policies and advise on potential liabilities.
  • Lead communication and compliance around company policies and guidelines.
  • Oversee the organization’s health and safety committee, designating key roles and outsourcing functions as required.
  • Provide guidance and support on internal communications, including town halls and newsletters.
  • Provide change management expertise on business initiatives and assist leaders in facilitating change.
  • Act as a cultural ambassador, supporting leaders in advancing the College’s culture and values.
  • Organize, champion, and attend in-person staff events in Toronto at least 4 times per year.
• Employee Relations
  • Foster a positive workplace culture, ensuring policy compliance and resolving conflicts.
  • Serve as the point of contact for employment relations.
  • Handle grievances, violations, and disciplinary actions when required.
  • Advise managers on disciplinary actions, performance plans, and documentation to mitigate risks.
  • Anticipate, manage, and resolve litigation risks, working with HR legal when required.
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB)
  • Provide advice and support in developing policies and practices that promote fairness and embed diversity in the workplace.
  • Lead EDIB projects and initiatives, advising other teams on incorporating an EDIB lens into their work.
  • Stay abreast of diversity initiatives and best practices, supporting the College’s EDI strategy.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in human resources, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and job experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in a role with similar responsibilities.

Skills

• Proficient in MS Office 365, HRIS, engagement surveys, and LMS (e.g., ADP Workforce Now, Culture Amp, Citation Canada).
• Experience with SharePoint and MS Teams is an asset.
• Ability to represent the College appropriately with all system partners.
• Highly flexible, able to manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
• Strong relationship-building skills at all levels.
• Ability to develop creative and innovative programs and policies based on business requirements.
• Works effectively both independently and within a team environment.
• Big-picture/strategic thinker with superior problem-solving skills.
• Proactive, able to identify opportunities or potential problems and take initiative.
• Strong decision-making and independent judgment.
• Strong collaborator who develops working relationships across teams.
• Project management expertise.
• Bilingual (French/English) is an asset.

Pay

The starting annual base salary range for this role is $118,000 to $124,000, based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including extended health benefits and an Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Paid opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.
• Work-life balance initiatives, including work-from-abroad options and summer hours.
• Supportive work environment that encourages innovation, teamwork, and creativity.

Schedule

This is a full-time 12-month contract position, covering a maternity leave.