Director, People and Culture

Lee Valley Tools; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lee Valley Tools, located in Ottawa, Ontario, is seeking a Director, People and Culture to lead the HR function and shape people strategies that support growth and culture. The role advises senior leaders, oversees workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, talent and employee relations, and ensures compliant, thoughtful people decisions.

The Director leads a lean HR team, drives priorities, strengthens processes, and collaborates across the organization to deliver high-quality HR

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of progressive HR experience including advising senior leaders and leading an HR function.
• Experience advising senior leaders and leading an HR function or team across multiple sites.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation across Canadian jurisdictions.
• Experience building workforce planning and organizational effectiveness strategies.
• Experience improving HR processes and systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR priorities aligned with the organization’s strategy that support employee lifecycle and culture.
• Advise, coach and challenge managers on structure, workforce planning, employee relations, and leadership effectiveness.
• Establish strong relationships across the organization with credibility, discretion and follow-through.
• Provide practical, balanced advice considering business requirements, values, and risk.
• Identify workforce trends and opportunities using HR data and feedback.
• Lead and develop the HR team while delivering day-to-day HR services.

Skills

Strategic thinker

People leadership

Judgment & discretion

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

HR/Business degree

CHRP/CHRL preferred

Job description

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $130,000.00 Annually

About Lee Valley:

Since 1978, Lee Valley has recognized that for many, woodworking and gardening are more than just hobbies. Lee Valley Tools enjoys a proud history of providing high-quality woodworking, gardening, hobby, hardware, gift and seasonal merchandise to customers worldwide. We pride ourselves on providing quality products and renowned customer service.

Lee Valley has been honored with many prestigious awards, including being recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies by Deloitte. Additionally, we ranked #1 for In-Store Experience in Ontario by Leger Marketing Inc.

A position at Lee Valley is more than just a job – we honor the time and dedication that our people give by providing sustained and meaningful employment while striving to provide an environment where learning and development are encouraged.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, People and Culture leads the Human Resources function and is responsible for developing and delivering people strategies, programs and practices that support the organization’s objectives. As a trusted advisor to senior leaders, the Director brings an organization-wide perspective to workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, talent, employee relations.

Most importantly, the Director is responsible for cultivating a positive and deliberate culture. The organization views its culture as an important market differentiator and a key component of its reputation among employees, customers and the broader business community.

The Director leads a lean HR team and is accountable for the quality, consistency and timely delivery of HR services. The role combines strategic thinking and functional leadership with practical execution. The Director will both manage the work of the function and personally deliver key HR activities. The successful candidate will establish priorities, strengthen processes and build organizational capability while remaining directly involved in employee matters and important operational deliverables.

With a strong understanding of employment legislation and best practices, the Director ensures that people-related decisions are thoughtful, practical, compliant and aligned with the needs and values of the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement HR priorities that support the organization’s strategy and evolving business needs and support employees throughout the employee life cycle. Advise the organization on initiatives that strengthen leadership capability, employee engagement, retention and organizational culture.
• Advise, coach and challenge all people managers on organizational structure, workforce planning, employee relations, performance, development and team and leadership effectiveness.
• Establish strong relationships across the organization through credibility, sound judgment, discretion and consistent follow-through.
• Consider the organization-wide implications of people decisions and recommend practical, sustainable solutions. Provide thoughtful, balanced advice that considers business requirements, employee needs, organizational values, risk and legislative obligations.
• Identify workforce trends, risks and opportunities using HR data, business insight and employee feedback.
• Lead and develop the HR team, setting clear priorities, accountabilities, compliance expectations and service standards, while actively contributing to the day-to-time delivery of HR services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related discipline; a CHRP, CHRL or equivalent designation is preferred.
• At least seven years of progressive HR experience, including advising senior leaders and leading an HR function or team.
• Broad HR leadership experience across employee relations, talent management, compensation, benefits, organizational effectiveness and HR operations.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of employment legislation across multiple Canadian jurisdictions.
• Experience in a multi-site organization and improving HR processes and systems is preferred.

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic and systems thinker who can translate organizational objectives into practical people priorities.
• Credible advisor and people leader who influences, coaches, sets clear direction and builds accountability.
• Sound judgment and discretion in complex, sensitive and confidential matters.
• Organized and responsive, with the ability to balance competing priorities, strategic initiatives and hands-on execution.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.

What we offer:

• A competitive compensation program, including base salary, comprehensive health and dental benefits, and a matching group retirement savings plan.
• Paid vacation and sick leave to support your well-being and work-life balance.
• A generous Lee Valley employee discount.
• A supportive, family-oriented environment that encourages learning, growth, and long-term development.

Diversity and Inclusion:

At Lee Valley, we are proud to celebrate and foster a diverse team of professionals. We take pride in nurturing an inclusive culture that empowers our people to be their authentic selves, celebrate their differences and love where they work. Our diverse community combined with our inclusive culture, is what sets us apart in the industry.

We encourage all candidates to apply for job opportunities with Lee Valley regardless of race, national origin, colour, religion, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and family status, or disability.

Our Approach to Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

We believe that hiring decisions should be grounded in human judgment, thoughtful evaluation, and meaningful dialogue.

At Lee Valley, we do not use artificial intelligence tools to screen, rank, or make automated decisions about candidates. All applications are reviewed by members of our hiring team, and selection decisions are made through human assessment and professional judgment.

We are committed to a fair, transparent, and equitable recruitment process where candidates are evaluated based on their experience, skills, and potential — not by automated systems.

Accommodation Requests

Lee Valley Tools is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment and selection process. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates with disabilities throughout all stages of the application and selection process. If you require an accommodation, please let us know, and we will work with you to meet your individual needs.

We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.