Director of People & Growth, Biotech (Hybrid)

Specific Biologics Inc.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP)

Health, dental, life and accidental-de

Health spending account

Paid vacation and paid sick leave

Job summary

Specific Biologics is seeking a strategic and execution-focused Director of HR based in Toronto to lead people operations through a rapid post-Series A growth phase in Canada and the US. As the first dedicated HR hire, you will manage an approximately 20-hire expansion plan over the next 2 years, covering talent acquisition, onboarding, labor compliance, and total rewards.

This role reports to the CEO and will oversee HRIS, policy development, and cross-border employment strategies while shaping

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience in biotech or life sciences.
• Experience as first HR hire or HR generalist leader in a growing org.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario employment laws (ESA) and US employment law.
• Bachelor’s degree required; CHRP/CHRL designation would be an asset.
• Experience coordinating US employment requirements with specialist advisers preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for approximately 20 roles over the next 2 years.
• Develop cross-border HR policies and processes across Canada and the US.
• Oversee HRIS, payroll, benefits, and vendor management.
• Develop scalable recruitment and onboarding processes and employer branding.
• Establish competitive salary bands and equity programs in a post-Series A biotech environment.

Skills

HR leadership

Full-cycle recruitment

Policy development

Cross-border HR

Labor compliance

Employee relations

Executive onboarding

Education

Bachelor's degree

CHRP or CHRL designation

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll systems

Vendor management

Job description

Specific Biologics is seeking a strategic and execution-focused Director of HR based in Toronto to lead people operations through a rapid post-Series A growth phase in Canada and the US. As the first dedicated HR hire, you will manage an approximately 20-hire expansion plan over the next 2 years, covering talent acquisition, onboarding, labor compliance, and total rewards.

This role reports to the CEO and will oversee HRIS, policy development, and cross-border employment strategies while shaping