HR Generalist

Mara; Dartmouth; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading renewables organization in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia is seeking an HR Generalist with 3–5 years of experience. This role involves managing employee relations, performance, training, and benefits administration. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and an understanding of HR practices. The position is hybrid, requiring at least three days a week in the office. A competitive salary and benefits package, including medical and dental plans, is offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plan

Employee & Family Assistance Program

RRSP matching program

Health care spending account

Physical Wellness Reimbursement Plan

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of HR experience required.
• Ability to handle sensitive and challenging conversations.
• Strong understanding of HR practices and employment legislation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers.
• Drive performance processes and partner with management.
• Coordinate training initiatives and identify development needs.
• Manage Canadian benefits programs.
• Contribute to policy updates and compliance.
• Participate in the recruitment cycle.
• Maintain accurate HR records and prepare reports.
• Support HR processes through documentation and information management.

Skills

HR experience

Communication skills

Relationship building

Policy development

Understanding of HR practices

Proficiency with MS Office

Education

Post-secondary education in HR

Tools

HR systems

Job description

Company Overview

At Mara Renewables Corporation (Mara), we exist to re-engineer nature’s pantry, reimagine human nutrition, and revitalize wellness and the environment. We believe there has never been a more critical need to evolve health ingredients for human nutrition and related industries using the power of science and nature to build a more sustainable and healthier world.

Mara’s remarkable journey has transformed us from a research & development startup into a global leader within the precision fermentation omega-3 oil industry, encompassing pivotal sectors such as food, beverage, and infant nutrition. Our commitment to commercializing our unique patent-protected technologies, coupled with the expertise of our diverse and exceptionally talented team, has been the driving force behind our success.

The Position

If you’re an HR pro who loves variety, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and wants to grow alongside a supportive leader, this is a great opportunity. We’re looking for an HR Generalist with 3–5 years of experience to join our team at Mara – an organization in an exciting growth phase with lots of meaningful work ahead.

This role touches a wide range of HR areas: employee relations, performance, training, benefits, policies, and project work. You’ll work closely with the Head of HR, who leads the strategy, while taking ownership across core HR programs and building strong relationships across the business. You’ll also partner with our HR Coordinator, who manages onboarding, HR administration, and day‑to‑day operations.

We’re a global organization with employees in 11+ countries, which keeps the work interesting and full of learning opportunities, but we’re still small enough that your contributions will have real impact. If you like variety, growth, and influencing how people programs evolve, you’ll love it here.

You’ll be part of a small but mighty HR team of three, based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This is a hybrid role with at least three days a week in the office.

Job Responsibilities

• Employee Relations: Act as a trusted resource for employees and managers, helping navigate day‑to‑day issues and contributing to a positive, healthy work environment.
• Performance & Coaching: Help drive our performance processes and partner with managers to ensure consistent, fair, and growth‑focused conversations across the business.
• Learning & Development: Coordinate training initiatives, identify development needs, and develop and deliver content for our monthly manager training sessions.
• Benefits Administration: Manage Canadian benefits programs and support employees with questions and problem‑solving.
• Policy & Compliance: Contribute to updating policies, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, and helping roll out new procedures across the organization.
• Recruitment: Participate in the recruitment cycle, work with hiring managers, and help maintain a smooth candidate experience.
• Global HR / EOR: Serve as the primary contact for our Employer of Record partners for employees outside Canada.
• HR Data & Reporting: Work with the HR Coordinator to maintain accurate HR records, prepare reports, and use data to identify opportunities or patterns.
• General HR Operations: Help keep HR processes running smoothly through documentation, systems updates, and employee information management.
• Leave Management: Work with the HR Coordinator to ensure leave requests, tracking, and compliance are handled accurately.
• Projects & Initiatives: Take an active role in HR initiatives such as building our EVP, strengthening culture, and refining people programs. You’ll help bring strategy to life through practical execution and coordination.

Required Skills & Experience

• 3–5 years of HR experience
• Post‑secondary education in HR, Industrial Relations, Organizational Development, or related field
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment
• Able to handle sensitive and challenging conversations with tact and professionalism
• Experience contributing to policy development or implementing new HR processes
• Confident working independently while balancing teamwork
• High level of integrity and discretion
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
• Solid understanding of HR practices and employment legislation
• Proficient with MS Office and HR systems, and comfortable learning new tools

Desired Skills & Experience

• CPHR designation (or working toward it) is an asset

What We Offer

Mara is proud to offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plan
• Employee & Family Assistance Program
• RRSP matching program
• Health care spending account
• Physical Wellness Reimbursement Plan

At Mara we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including persons who identify as racially visible, Indigenous, persons with disabilities, women in underrepresented roles and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Mara supports candidates and employees with access and accommodation needs.