HR AI & Automation Lead

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 107,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Toronto seeks an HR AI & Automation Lead to advance HR services through AI-enabled solutions and automated workflows. You will bridge HR policy and technology, guiding discovery, design, testing, and implementation while ensuring responsible governance and adoption of AI within HR operations.

You will collaborate with HR leaders, IT, and external providers to deliver scalable, sustainable digital HR experiences and build AI capability across the HR community.

Qualifications

• University degree in HR, Business, Organizational Studies or related; CHRL eligibility or completion; AI/automation training asset.
• Experience applying HR knowledge to design and implement technology-enabled HR processes.
• Interest and practical experience with emerging digital tech (AI, LLMs, workflow automation).
• Translate HR requirements into user stories, specs and testing criteria.
• Collaborate with IT, vendors, HR leaders in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery, analysis, and design of AI-enabled HR solutions and governance.
• Translate HR needs into scalable technology products and processes.
• Build AI capability across the HR community with learning initiatives.
• Partner with Learning & Leadership Centre and HR stakeholders for capability development.

Skills

HR consulting

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Process improvement

AI awareness

Workflow automation

Low‑code/no‑code tools

Learning agility

Education

HR/Business/Organizational degree

CHRL asset

AI/digital transformation training

Tools

HRIS

Workflow automation

Low-code/no-code tools

AI tools

Job description

HR AI & Automation Lead

Date Posted: 09/03/2026

Req ID: 50085

Faculty/Division: VP-People, Finance & Digital Services

Department: University Human Resources

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Position Number: 00060042

Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

The HR AI & Automation Lead advances University HR’s ability to deliver effective, responsive and responsible HR services through the design, implementation and ongoing stewardship of AI-enabled and automated solutions. As an experienced HR professional, the position brings a deep understanding of HR operations, policy, service delivery, employee and manager needs, and the institutional context in which HR operates, combined with technical fluency in artificial intelligence, automation, workflow design and digital product delivery.

The position applies professional HR judgment to identify opportunities where technology can improve HR services and processes, while recognizing where complexity, policy interpretation, employee circumstances or organizational risk require human expertise and judgment. It translates complex HR needs and processes into practical, scalable and sustainable technology-enabled solutions, ensuring that technology serves the underlying HR objective rather than simply automating existing practices.

Acting as a bridge between HR leaders, subject matter experts, divisional partners, Enterprise Applications and Solution Development, central IT partners and external technology providers, the HR AI & Automation Lead leads discovery, consultation, process analysis, solution design, testing, implementation, socialization and continuous improvement activities. The position provides the HR functional expertise and technical perspective required to shape solutions from concept through implementation and ongoing stewardship and ensures that AI and automation initiatives are appropriately governed, prioritized, evaluated and aligned with institutional objectives.

The position also builds AI capability across the HR community by assessing the evolving knowledge and skill requirements of HR professionals, identifying opportunities to embed AI into HR practice, and developing and leading initiatives to build confidence, capability and responsible adoption of AI. Working in partnership with the Learning & Leadership Centre and other HR stakeholders, the position translates identified capability needs into appropriate learning and development approaches and supports their implementation across the HR community.

Through this work, the position improves service quality, operational efficiency, employee and manager experience, responsible use of technology, and evidence-informed decision-making across University HR.

Qualifications Required:

I. EDUCATION

University degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Studies or a related discipline, with substantial coursework in Human Resources and eligibility for, or completion of, the CHRL designation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Coursework, certification or demonstrated training in artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, digital transformation, product management or a related field would be considered an asset.

II. EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Human Resources, including substantial experience in HR operations, HR service delivery, HR technology/HRIS, HR process improvement or a closely related HR discipline.
• Demonstrated experience applying HR knowledge and professional judgment to analyze, design, implement or improve HR processes, services and employee/manager experiences, including through technology-enabled solutions.
• Demonstrated interest in and practical experience with emerging digital technologies, such as generative AI, large language models, AI agents, workflow automation, low-code/no-code tools or related technologies; formal training or certification in these technologies is considered an asset.
• Experience translating HR business requirements and processes into user stories, solution specifications, testing criteria, implementation plans and other practical technology requirements.
• Experience working collaboratively with IT teams, technology vendors, HR leaders and HR subject matter experts in a complex stakeholder environment.
• Experience analyzing complex HR policies, processes and employee/manager experiences to identify opportunities for simplification, standardization, automation and transformation, while recognizing circumstances where HR expertise and human judgment are required.
• Experience in one or more areas of HR such as employee relations, compensation, benefitsI. EDUCATION: University degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Studies or a related discipline, with substantial coursework in Human Resources and eligibility for, or completion of, the CHRL designation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Coursework, certification or demonstrated training in artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, digital transformation, product management or a related field would be considered an asset.

III. SKILLS

• Strong HR consulting, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to understand complex HR needs and processes and translate them into practical technology-enabled solutions. Strong HR judgment and process improvement skills, with the ability to identify opportunities for simplification, automation and responsible use of AI while recognizing where human expertise and judgment are required. Demonstrated technical curiosity and ability to learn and apply emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, workflow automation, HRIS and digital solutions, and to collaborate effectively with HR leaders, subject matter experts, IT teams and technology providers.
• Ability to support implementation, adoption and continuous improvement through clear requirements, documentation, testing, user guidance and effective change support.
• Proficiency with standard office productivity tools.

IV. OTHER

• Demonstrates a willingness to experiment, prototype, test, learn and continuously improve solutions.
• Approaches emerging technology with sound judgment, recognizing both its potential and limitations and balancing innovation with appropriate human oversight, privacy, security, accessibility, accuracy and fairness.
• Demonstrates systems thinking and the ability to see connections among HR policies, processes, technology, data, organizational structures and employee/manager experience.
• Able to build trust, influence and collaborate across a complex, decentralized organization, bringing diverse stakeholders together to support practical, sustainable change and adoption.

NOTE: This is a two (2) year term position.

Closing Date: 09/18/2026, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Appointment Type: Budget - Term

Schedule: Full-Time NOTE: This is a two (2) year term position.

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $106,705 - $124,491 -- Broadband Salary Range: $106,705 - $177,843

Job Category: People, Finance & Digital Services

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, you can contact [e-mail].