What an HR manager does
An HR manager leads the human resources function and advises senior leadership on people issues. Responsibilities usually include setting HR strategy and policy, managing employee relations and investigations, overseeing compensation and benefits programs, leading recruitment and workforce planning, supervising HR staff and making sure the organization meets its obligations under employment standards and workplace health and safety legislation. In some organizations the role also oversees payroll or health and safety programs directly.
This hire has a direct effect on culture, retention and the organization's exposure to employment-related risk. The right HR manager earns the trust of both leadership and staff and brings structure without slowing the business down. Finch screens for leadership experience, depth in employee relations, sound judgement on complex matters and CHRL or CHRE designations where required. We speak with references who have seen the candidate handle difficult situations such as restructuring, investigations or rapid growth.
Typical responsibilities
- Develop and carry out HR strategy aligned with business goals
- Lead employee relations, workplace investigations and conflict resolution
- Oversee compensation, benefits and performance management programs
- Manage recruitment, workforce planning and succession planning
- Supervise and develop HR staff
- Keep policies and practices current with Ontario employment legislation and brief leadership on changes
Qualifications and credentials
- A degree in human resources, business or a related field
- The CHRL designation through HRPA is often preferred, with the CHRE common for senior HR leaders
- Previous experience leading an HR function or team
- Strong knowledge of Ontario's Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Human Rights Code
- Experience with workplace investigations and complex employee relations
- Labour relations and collective agreement experience for unionized workplaces
Who hires an HR manager
- Mid-sized and growing private companies
- Manufacturing, construction and distribution firms
- Health care and social service organizations
- Professional services firms
- Unionized employers and multi-site organizations
Where we recruit HR manager candidates
We fill HR manager roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Scope of HR leadership, including the size and complexity of past organizations
- Experience with investigations, terminations and restructuring
- Designation status with HRPA where required
- How the candidate advises and influences senior leaders
- Detailed references from former executives and HR colleagues
Interview questions to ask
- Tell me about a workplace investigation you led. How did you keep it fair and confidential?
- How have you changed HR practices to support a business that was growing quickly?
- Describe a time you disagreed with a senior leader on a people decision. What happened?