4 days per week in office - Toronto or Montreal

This role blends enterprise-level strategic leadership with strong operational execution in a complex professional services environment. The Director acts as a trusted advisor on all people-related matters and plays a key role in shaping culture, leadership capability, and organizational effectiveness.

You will be focusing on: 

Strategic HR Leadership

• Lead and execute on HR strategies aligned with the firm’s national People & Development strategy and business priorities, both regionally and nationally.

• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and talent development.

Talent Management & Employee Relations

• Act as a senior advisor on talent management, performance, succession, and complex employee relations matters.

• Ensure consistent, fair, and compliant application of HR policies and practices.

• Stay current on employment legislation and market trends across multiple jurisdictions.

• Manage human capital aspects of business transformation projects and help drive organizational improvement initiatives.

• Oversee the disability management processes and workplace health and safety programs in each of the firm’s offices.

• Partner with firm management in each office to execute on specific people projects and initiatives.

• Participate and support local and firm-wide diversity and inclusion initiatives and seek to create an inclusive environment for all.

Recruitment

• Oversee recruitment strategies for Business Services, Legal Assistants, and, where applicable, Law Clerks.

• Strengthen the firm’s employee value proposition and employer brand.

• Ensure recruitment and onboarding practices support equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Pension and Benefits

• Oversee the firm’s benefits and pension plans.

• Manage vendor relationships to ensure high-quality and cost-effective delivery of services

• Partner on total rewards strategy and implement a comprehensive, effective communication strategy for Total Rewards for the firm.

• Support leaders with data-driven, market-informed recommendations.

• Ensure compliance with all pay equity and other relevant legislation.

• Participate as a member of the Pension Management Committee.

Leadership & Team Development

• Ensure efficient, high-quality HR operations with a strong service mindset.

• Drive continuous improvement of HR processes, systems, and controls.

• Use data and insights to improve outcomes and decision-making.

• Lead, coach, and develop HR leaders and teams, building depth, resilience, and future capability.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive team culture.

• Act as a role model for the firm’s values and leadership expectations.

• Managing P&D priorities across the firm and related budget.

What you bring to the role:

• Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or a related field; CHRP/CHRL designation required

• 10-15 plus years of progressive HR experience, with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing teams, preferably in a large law firm or a comparable professional services environment.

• Strong expertise across core HR disciplines, including employee relations, compensation, talent management, and HR operations.

• Deep knowledge of Canadian employment legislation across all provinces in which the firm carries on business.

• Proven ability to partner with senior leaders and operate with credibility at the executive level.

• Highly effective project management skills with the ability to think critically and meet multiple deadlines.

• Superior judgment and discretion, and ability to handle sensitive situations.

• Experience with Workday is an asset.

• Bilingualism (strong asset)

Norton Rose Fulbright is a large international legal practice with multiple offices around the world. Its clientele is also international, so we must be able to provide services in English and in French. As a result, a good working knowledge of both languages is required, since you will communicate frequently with managers and/or colleagues in other provinces or countries and/or will serve our clients in both languages.

Why join our team:

• Retirement savings plan with employer contribution

• Benefit premiums paid by the firm

• Telemedicine services

• Wellness matters: Flexible health and wellness allowance that covers much more than gym memberships!

• Training and development programs based on your interests and needs

The salary bands provided reflect the typical range for this role in the region indicated. We recognize that each candidate brings a unique set of experiences and skills, and final compensation will be thoughtfully determined based on individual qualifications and current market factors. Please note that salary will be discussed and negotiated during interview.

Ready to join a proactive and modern firm that provides an exceptional career experience in an inclusive and collaborative environment? Come join us!

Please note that this job posting is being advertised to fill an existing vacancy.