HR Operations Consultant - Hybrid

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University is seeking an HR Operations Consultant to work within Human Resources Services. This role partners with CoEs and embedded HR teams to deliver broad HR services across 16 employee groups, guiding policies, onboarding, compensation changes, and performance management.

The consultant supports recruitment, immigration compliance, leaves, and pension options, ensuring a seamless client experience.

Qualifications

• University degree in Human Resources or related field, or equivalent experience.
• CHRP designation strongly preferred.
• 4–5 years of HRBP/HR generalist experience, ideally in a large, unionized environment; academic setting is a plus.
• Broad knowledge of HR policies, practices, processes, and employment legislation.
• Ability to build client relationships and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide consultative support on HR policies, programs, and processes for assigned client groups, including recruitment, compensation, onboarding, benefits, and performance management.
• Partner with hiring managers, CoEs, and embedded HR teams to support recruitment and ensure compliance with regulations and agreements.
• Support Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion processes and practices.
• Advise employees and managers on leaves and administer related benefits and pension options.
• Provide operational consultation during collective agreement negotiations, policy updates, and program launches.
• Act as change champion for new HR initiatives and system enhancements while supporting client groups through change.
• Collaborate with administrators and HR teams to identify core HR process gaps and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills

HR policy knowledge

CHRP designation

HRBP experience

HRIS/Payroll systems

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

University degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

HRIS/Payroll systems

Job description

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. We strive to attract, develop, and retain the best faculty and staff, and to foster an inclusive community which values the strengths, perspectives and contributions of each individual. McMaster’s profile and stature has evolved to one of the Top 100 Universities in the World and recognition as Canada’s Most Research Intensive University. McMaster is a diverse and complex institution, home to almost 30,000 graduate and undergraduate students who study across six faculties and employing approximately 14,000 individuals annually in more than 20 unique employee groups. McMaster has been continuously recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton / Niagara region, and one of Canada’s Top Diversity Employers.

About Human Resources

Human Resources Services is committed to delivering people and culture solutions that advance McMaster’s vision, mission and strategic priorities. By providing impactful programs, expert HR counsel, and trusted partnerships, HR team members strive to optimize workforce strategy, inclusivity and operational efficiency, while advancing HR excellence.

Our HR Vision: To advance a healthy, safe, and inclusive culture that inspires a diverse and talented McMaster community to contribute to a Brighter World.

Our HR Mission: We cultivate a community in which every employee’s experience is that of acceptance, inclusion, belonging, and meaningful connection with the University’s mission and institutional priorities. We do this through our following four Strategic Pillars:

• Championing University People and Culture
• Collaborating with our University and Community Partners
• Advancing Service Delivery and Operational Excellence
• Promoting Learning, Development and a Growth Mindset

The HR Operations Consultant works independently and collaboratively with Centres of Expertise (CoEs) and embedded HR teams to deliver a full range of HR services across the University. Reporting to the Program Manager, HR Client Services, this role combines broad HR knowledge with a deep understanding of institutional policies, procedures, and collective agreements impacting 16 employee groups (unionized and non-unionized) throughout the employee lifecycle. The Consultant ensures efficient HR program delivery and a seamless client experience for employees, managers, and administrators.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide consultative support on HR policies, programs, and processes for assigned client groups, including recruitment, compensation, employee life cycle changes, benefits and retirement plans, training and development, organizational change, onboarding, and performance management.
• Partner with hiring managers, CoEs, and HR Embedded Partners to support recruitment, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations and collective agreements.
• Support and advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) processes and practices.
• Advise employees and managers on leaves of absence and administer related benefit, salary, and pension/RRSP options in accordance with agreements, pension plan texts, and the Employment Standards Act.
• Provide operational consultation to CoEs during collective agreement negotiations, policy updates, and program launches to streamline core HR processes and promote best practices.
• Serve as a change champion, acting as a subject matter expert or project lead for new HR initiatives and system enhancements while supporting client groups through change.
• Collaborate with departmental administrators, managers, and embedded HR teams to identify core HR process gaps; provides ongoing feedback to HR Leaders and CoEs to inform continuous improvement and resource development.
• Design, coordinate, and deliver general and customized HR operations training to faculty and staff in collaboration with HR Embedded Partners, the HR Project Team, and CoEs.
• Contribute to the central HR knowledge base to ensure consistent advice and solutions across the university.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Human Resources or related field, or equivalent experience.
• CHRP designation strongly preferred.
• 4–5 years of HRBP/HR generalist experience, ideally in a large, unionized environment; experience in an academic setting is an asset.
• Broad functional knowledge of HR policies, practices, processes, and employment legislation.
• Ability to build strong client relationships and manage multiple priorities.
• Proven ability to analyze complex employee and policy issues and exercise sound judgment in providing advice and guidance.
• Early adopter of process enhancements and demonstrated agility in service delivery of programs
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience working with HRIS/Payroll systems.

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.