HR Manager Operations

TIFF; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent cultural organization located in Toronto is seeking an HR Manager to support day-to-day HR operations. This role entails managing employee relations, developing HR policies, and executing recruitment. The ideal candidate has 5-7 years of experience in HR with strong competencies in employee relations and project management. The position offers a salary range of $65,000 - $70,000, with a maternity leave contract running from February 2026 to January 2027, and requires a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid work model

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive HR experience with a focus on employee relations.
• Experience in a unionized environment handling collective agreements.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation and health & safety.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee relations inquiries and provide advice on policies.
• Lead HR operational processes ensuring timely execution and accuracy.
• Oversee full-cycle recruitment, ensuring an equitable hiring process.

Skills

Employee relations

Conflict resolution

HR policy updates

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL)

Tools

HRIS systems

ADP Workforce

MS Office

Google Suite

Job description

HR Manager - Operations

Maternity Leave Contract- Full-time

People & Culture

TIFF is a charitable, cultural organization dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds in our home - TIFF Lightbox. Our mission: To transform the way people see the world, through film.

TIFF is committed to embracing diversity and treating all individuals with respect, dignity and fairness by removing physical, social and economic barriers to participation.

We encourage you to reflect on the land that you are on, who the traditional keepers of the land are, what the treaty relationship is, or if it’s unceded territory. TIFF is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee. We are grateful to work on this land.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Manager, People & Culture, the HR Manager plays a critical role in supporting the effective daily operations of the HR function. This role provides advanced HR advisory support to employees and leaders, leads assigned HR programs and key operational processes, and manages day‑to‑day employee relations matters. The HR Manager contributes to delivering consistent, high‑quality HR service while helping foster a positive, inclusive, and compliant workplace.

Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee and manager HR inquiries, escalating to the Senior Manager as appropriate.
• Provide advice on policies, performance issues, conflict resolution, accommodations, and disciplinary matters.
• Lead or support employee relations cases including accommodations, performance management plans, attendance issues, and conflict mediation.
• Conduct workplace investigations (with guidance from the Senior Manager), including claims raised through ClearView or internal reports.
• Support implementation and interpretation of the collective agreement assist in preparing materials for grievances, meetings, or discussions with the union.
• Maintain awareness of workplace climate, flagging risks, trends, or recommended actions to the Senior Manager.
• Prepare summaries, documentation, and recommendations to support senior‑level decision‑making.
• Communicating and working closely with the HR team to ensure consistent messaging.
• Assist with the rolling out of HR related projects, when assigned.

HR Operations, Programs & Policy Support

• Support the Senior HR Manager in delivering core HR operational processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timely execution.
• Help lead HR policy updates, SOP maintenance, and process improvements.
• Support HR projects such as engagement initiatives, HR system improvements, culture programs, or compliance work.
• Supports key HR programs and processes, including assisting with accessibility and accommodation matters to ensure adherence to AODA and TIFF standards.
• Manage disability and return‑to‑work files, coordinating between employees, managers, Sun Life/WSIB, and Payroll & Benefits.
• Ensure HR records, documentation, and systems are up to date and maintained with high accuracy.
• HR operating processes, including ensuring that the HR standard operating manual is continuously up to date and the HR team is trained on changes in a timely manner.
• Provide operational and project support to department management as required.
• Keep abreast of HR best practices and legislative requirements.

Recruitment & Festival Workforce Support

• Provide oversight and support for the full‑cycle recruitment process for assigned roles, ensuring an equitable and efficient hiring experience.
• Coach hiring managers on selection best practices, competency‑based interviewing, and hiring compliance.
• Support the coordination and facilitation of learning and development initiatives, workshops, and team sessions.
• Lead Festival‑related HR processes including:
  • Festival offboarding, performance reviews, and exit surveys
  • Managing the Festival staff pass and programme book listings
  • Participating as an active member of the Festival Production Committee

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with a strong focus on employee relations, investigations, and labour relations.
• Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) or working toward the designation strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience handling complex and sensitive employee relations cases independently with strong judgment and discretion.
• Experience working in a unionised environment and administering collective agreements.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation, HR best practices, accommodation, and health & safety requirements.
• Experience with HRIS systems, ADP Workforce, MS Office, Google Suite.

Key Attributes

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and customer focus, to serve all levels of staff and provide an excellent employee experience.
• Proven ability to influence, coach, and build trust with leaders and employees.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deliver under tight timelines in a face‑paced environment.
• Highly organised with strong planning, analytical, and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with tact and discretion.
• Able to work well independently and in a team environment.

Job Grade & Salary

• Job Grade: 3
• Job Grade Salary Range/Annually or Rate of pay: $65,000 - $70,000
• Our salary ranges reflect the range of skills and experience required for the role. Typically, candidates new to the role are positioned up to the midpoint of the range, with progression through the range based on performance and development over time. The top of the salary band is for employees who consistently demonstrate high performance in their role.

Target Contract Dates

• February 2026 – January 2027

Work Location

• Office Location: 350 King Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5
• Weekly in‑office requirements:
  • Minimum 2 days (November to April)
  • Minimum 3 days (May to October)
• Festival Office Requirements: Full Time during Festival

Vacancy

• This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

How to Submit & Application Deadline

• All applications must be submitted online through TIFF’s Career Centre.
• Please upload your cover letter and résumé as PDF(s), before the deadline of Tuesday February 10th, 2026.

Closing

We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview are contacted.

Candidates must be legally able to work in Canada at this time. TIFF regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment visas; however, TIFF considers and welcomes individuals on time‑limited visa status for this position. For consideration to those on time‑limited visa status, your visa must allow you to complete the full contract.

TIFF may use artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants for this position.

Please send any questions via e‑mail only to [e-mail].

TIFF is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where employees feel valued and respected, and where every employee has the opportunity to realize their potential. As such, we welcome and encourage applicants who identify as racialised persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities.

If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation and/or assistance during the application process, please contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations whenever requested.