Vice President, People & Culture Strategy

Vice President, People & Culture Strategy

The Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) supports businesses and protects the public by regulating and advancing the capabilities of HR professionals in Ontario, enabling organizations to unlock the human potential that exists in their workplaces. The HRPA ensures that over 25,000 members and students have the most up to date tools and the advanced skills to lead our workplaces into the future.

In 2023, the HRPA welcomed a new CEO with a mandate to revolutionize, modernize, and elevate the organization. The HRPA has now embraced Vision 2027, a bold, new strategic plan aimed at empowering members, inspiring prosperity, and championing the elevation of the human element in HR.





With a commitment to becoming a premier HR association, HRPA is dedicated to adapting its strategy to meet the evolving needs of its members and the industry to enable dynamic changes in the world of work. Centered on creating value, impact, sustainability, growth, and inclusivity, HRPA's comprehensive four-year plan is designed to position the organization as a foremost provider of cutting-edge HR designations, programming and enable networking and community. HRPA will effectively regulate the profession while serving as a central hub for all resources, learning opportunities, credentials, and networks relevant to HR professionals and leaders.

Based at HRPA’s headquarters in Toronto and reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Jodi Kovitz, the Vice President, People & Culture Strategy ("VP, P&C;") is a critical leadership role within HRPA,





responsible for driving the design and execution of a comprehensive people and culture strategy that supports the organization’s ambitious growth trajectory and increased relevance for both its members and the broader business community. Reporting directly to the CEO, the VP, P&C; will have a transformative impact in shaping the future of HR within Ontario and beyond, leading HRPA’s mission to position HR professionals as future-ready leaders, as a subject matter expert guiding the HRPA’s programs, member resources and content and evangelist. As both a strategic leader and a change agent, the VP, P&C; will partner closely with the CEO to position HRPA as a progressive thought leader in the HR industry. Leading a team of two direct reports and supporting approximately 65 employees, the VP, P&C; will oversee the development, implementation, and integration of best-in-class HR processes that deliver measurable results, add value,





and foster a culture of high engagement. This role will partner with internal business leaders to align HR strategies with broader business goals.

This is a unique opportunity for a business-savvy HR leader to elevate HRPA’s people and culture strategy, transforming the organization into a modern, agile entity, and becoming an advocate for cultural transformation both internally and externally.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

- Change Agent & Strategy Partner: Partner with the CEO to design and execute forward-thinking people and culture and engagement strategies. Lead the evaluation and transformation of programs and policies to ensure HRPA maintains best-in-class standards.





Provide strategic leadership and change management to integrate diverse perspectives, fostering a cohesive and unified approach to organizational transformation.

- Talent Strategy & Development: Design a comprehensive talent acquisition, engagement and development strategy focused on upskilling, reskilling, growth, engagement, retention and succession planning. Develop learning and development (L&D;) programs that support transformation, helping HRPA employees develop and embrace change and prepare for future challenges. Ensure our hiring, onboarding and management procedures are effective and inclusive for diverse groups.

- Evangelist & Thought Leadership: Serve as an evangelist alongside the CEO, becoming a spokesperson for HRPA’s people and culture strategy.





Partner closely with CEO to develop and execute best in class IDEA strategy. Work with entire ELT to develop thought-provoking themes and drive programs that elevate HRPA’s industry presence. Establish HRPA as a leader in the HR space through market-facing initiatives (including white papers and industry collaborations). Become HRPA’s subject matter expert in relevant and emergent people and culture topics. Lead efforts to externally promote HRPA’s progressive ideas and best-in-class strategies, positioning the organization as an influential voice in the HR landscape, helping to fulfill HRPA’s mission of advancing the HR profession into the future.

- Support & Enable the Human Resources Compensation Committee (HRCC) of the HRPA Board of Directors:





Manage and execute end-to-end governance process for HRCC including relationship management with Board members, preparing agenda, and crafting materials for committee meetings. Serve as the Executive staff liaison and the primary point of contact with members of the HRCC. Support the execution of the HRCC’s annual workplan and support the committee in developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives that align with the HRPA’s objectives, including, workforce planning, performance management, compensation and benefits, talent management, employee engagement, succession planning as well as compliance and risk.

- Drive Operations & Execution: Lead and transform HR operations,





ensuring that processes—from talent acquisition and performance management to total rewards—are efficient, modern, effective, and aligned with HRPA’s strategic goals. Build new STIP (short-term incentive program) to drive performance aligned to Vision 2027 and oversee performance management and the STIP’s successful execution. Manage full-cycle People programs (including but not limited to onboarding, performance management, organizational design, benefits, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, and offboarding) to support operational and strategic business needs. Drive performance management processes, including goal setting, performance evaluations, and development planning.





Evaluate and evolve internal HR policies and practices to align with ever-changing laws and regulations with the goal of building the most progressive and inclusive workplace. Accountable for key People metrics including employee engagement, attrition, Great Place to Work score, etc.

- Change Management: Develop and implement a clear change management strategy to guide HRPA through its internal transformation by providing guidance and support to managers and employees, ensuring smooth transitions and effective implementation of organizational changes. Foster collaboration, break down silos, and champion new ideas to facilitate positive change management initiatives that boost employee engagement and morale.

- Internal Learning & Development (L&D;): Oversee the internal L&D; function, shaping content, themes, and concepts to align with HRPA’s vision. Engage in teaching and mentorship to foster skill-building and knowledge-sharing across the organization. Consider leveraging AI as a use case in our (in flight) AI strategy to enable impact.

- HR Technology & Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of HR technology, including the HRIS system, recruiting, development and performance management tools, to ensure HRPA has the right tools to meet the evolving demands of its workforce and deliver best-in-class HR practices.

The ideal candidate possesses:

- A university degree in Business or a related field, combined with 15+ years of progressive and successful senior human resources generalist experience with deep experience in people and culture transformation, business operations, and change management. They will have a track record of success in driving cultural transformation, positioning an organization as a thought leader, and ensuring operational excellence.
- Highly knowledgeable and business-savvy, the ideal candidate is a seasoned HR leader, passionate and authentic, with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of urgency.
- They will have excellent communication and project management skills, coupled with a proven track record of turning strategy into execution in a change-oriented, emerging environment.
- A proven thought leader who can effectively evangelize HRPA’s mission internally and externally while driving change management and transformation efforts.
- Ability to navigate resistance to change and successfully implement a comprehensive change management plan that addresses strategic business goals.
- Experience designing and leading talent strategies that focus on upskilling, reskilling, and organizational transformation.
- A pragmatic yet creative thinker, able to challenge the status quo and implement forward-thinking HR solutions that contribute to HRPA’s strategic plan and overall growth.
- Highly transparent with strong core values and integrity, they lead by example, and inspire others with their commitment, natural sense of urgency and responsiveness, and a clear desire to make a significant impact on the organization.

How to Apply

To explore this exciting opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter to: Gillian Tessis Executive Search at [email protected]

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

HRPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, the company will provide accommodation throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please inform the HR Department of the nature of any accommodation(s) to ensure your equal participation.

▶️ Vice President, People & Culture Strategy
🖊️ HRPA - Human Resources Professionals Association
📍 Toronto