HR Business Partner

FREEMAN; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global events management company is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner for its Toronto team. The role involves serving as a trusted advisor, ensuring compliance with Canadian employment laws, and implementing HR strategies aligned with business goals. The ideal candidate should have over 5 years of HR experience and the ability to support cross-border teams. This position follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring in-office presence a few days each week.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits package

Diversity and inclusion commitment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR Business Partner experience in a large, complex organization.
• Experience supporting both Canada and US client groups preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor by understanding business needs and culture.
• Support managers in workforce planning and talent management.
• Monitor employee feedback and partner to address concerns.
• Manage and resolve employee relations issues.

Skills

HR Business Partner expertise

Understanding of labor laws

Change management experience

Employee engagement strategies

Data analysis for HR insights

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field

Job description

About Us

Freeman is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry’s largest network of experts, Freeman’s insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 99-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.

Summary

The HR Business Partner (HRBP) for Canada and select US teams serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders, offering guidance on people‑related matters that influence team performance and engagement. Acting as The Freeman Company’s HR lead for Canada, this position ensures compliance with Canadian employment and labor laws while partnering with leaders across both Canada and the U.S. to deliver consistent HR support. In addition, the HRBP supports efforts to harmonize policies and processes across The Freeman Company and its branded organizations, fostering collaboration and effective change management to achieve positive outcomes.

Beyond compliance and harmonization, the role plays a key part in implementing HR priorities that align with business objectives, supporting organizational change initiatives, and promoting a culture of engagement. Working closely with managers, the HRBP addresses workforce needs, advances talent development, and cultivates a positive employee experience across regions.

This position is located in Toronto supporting our BaAM team and follows a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in‑office 2‑3 days per week.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Business Partnership

• Serves as a trusted advisor by demonstrating a thorough understanding of the business, current and future priorities, competition, and culture
• Partner with leaders to understand business priorities and provide HR solutions that support team goals
• Advise on workforce planning, talent management, and organizational effectiveness at the department level
• Use HR data and metrics to identify trends and recommend actions

Change Support

• Support organizational change by providing proactive guidance and recommendations to leaders on change management solutions
• Support communication plans and help managers navigate change impacts on their teams, including restructuring activities, digital transformations, integrations, etc

Employee Engagement & Culture

• Monitor employee feedback from our listening insights surveys; identify insights and partner with leaders to address concerns and drive a positive employee experience
• Partner with leaders to develop engagement survey action plans and execute on those commitments to drive improvements year over year
• Partner with leaders on retention strategies, including holding effective stay interviews
• Works closely with employees and leaders to improve work relationships, build morale, increase productivity, and maintain high retention
• Promote and embed a safety‑first culture across teams by partnering with leadership to integrate safety moments, training, recognition, and behaviors into day‑to‑day operations

Talent Management and Recruitment

• Support talent reviews, succession planning, and development programs to build our talent pipeline and critical role succession
• Provide coaching to managers on performance management and career development
• Assist leaders and employees in completing our annual goal setting and performance review processes
• Support recruitment activities across the business as we continue to grow our team in support of current and future requirements

Compensation & Rewards

• Partner with Total Rewards to ensure fair and competitive pay practices
• Advise managers during our annual merit, bonus, and promotion process to drive effective compensation decisions that align with strategy, internal equity, and external market data

Employee Relations and Compliance

• Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues
• Conduct effective, thorough, and objective investigations in partnership with key stakeholders
• Identify patterns and recommend corrective actions to reduce risk
• Provide HR policy guidance and interpretation

HR Operations, Harmonization, Collaboration

• Partner with the Total Rewards team to provide oversight of vendor relationships for Canadian benefits and payroll providers
• Support cross‑border travel or transfer in partnership with legal counsel, compliance, and People Operations
• Support the harmonization of HR processes, where possible, across branded companies
• Ensure smooth execution of HR processes (e.g., onboarding, job changes, transfers, promotions, terminations, etc.) in compliance with local labor laws and regulations
• Leverage HR systems and tools to improve efficiency and employee experience
• Leverage AI tools to enhance HR processes and deliverables, improving efficiency and quality
• Support effective collaboration across the HR function by partnering with peers and Centers of Excellence
• Assist across the HRBP team on projects and initiatives
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field
• 5+ years of HR Business Partner experience in a large, complex organization
• Experience supporting both Canada and US client groups preferred

Travel Requirements

Travel up to 25%

What We Offer

We offer a competitve compensation and benefits package. In compliance with Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Freeman, please email [e-mail]. Requests should be limited to disability‑related assistance only and should not be used for any other inquiries.

Diversity Commitment

At Freeman, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is helping us to create not only a great place to work, but also an environment where our employees, our customers and our communities around the world can reach their goals and connect with each other. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, and other characteristics protected by federal, provincial, or local laws.