HR Specialist

islamicreliefcanada; Burlington; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Islamic Relief Canada is seeking an HR Specialist to support the People & Culture team and ensure smooth operation of core HR functions. Reporting to the Senior Manager, People & Culture, you will assist with HR administration, talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, and compliance across the employee lifecycle.

You should bring hands-on experience with HR systems (Workday), excellent communication, strong discretion with

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Canadian employment legislation and case law.
• Ability to draft clear HR policies and guidelines.
• Hands-on experience with Workday is a strong asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to improve and innovate HR operations.
• Administer HR policies to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Manage employee benefits, enrollment updates, and related inquiries.
• Oversee contract renewals and updates in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records.
• Provide guidance and support to employees on HR-related inquiries, issues, and concerns.
• Assist with the development and implementation of HR initiatives, programs, and policies, handling sensitive information with discretion.
• Support a workplace culture that is safe, inclusive, and aligned with the organization’s mission.

Skills

Canadian employment law

HR policies

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Confidential information handling

Tools

Workday

Job description

Employee Type:

Permanent

Become a changemaker with Islamic Relief Canada! Join our team and work towards our mission to mobilize Canadians to transform more lives around the world in the most trusted manner.

About the Department

The People and Culture Department at Islamic Relief Canada strives to create a work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and excellence. We are dedicated to building a positive and productive workplace culture where employees feel valued , supported , and equipped to contribute effectively.

We support core people functions, including recruitment and onboarding, employee relations and engagement, training and development, performance management, and compliance with labour laws and regulations. By joining our team, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive environment where your contributions directly impact on the well‑being and success of our staff, enabling us to better serve communities in need.

Job Purpose

As an HR Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the People & Culture department and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of core HR functions. Reporting to the Senior Manager, People & Culture, you will support HR administration, talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, and compliance across the employee lifecycle. This is an additional role created to strengthen the department's capacity as IRC continues to grow and scale its people programs.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of HR best practices, hands‑on experience with HR systems (Workday), excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

HR Operations

• Identify and implement opportunities for process improvement and innovation within HR operations
• Administer HR policies and procedures to ensure organizational consistency and compliance.
• Manage employee benefits, including enrollment, updates, and related inquiries.
• Oversee contract renewals and updates in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records.
• Provide guidance and support to employees on HR-related inquiries, issues, and concerns.
• Assist with the development and implementation of HR initiatives, programs, and policies that support IRC's strategic objectives, and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and integrity
• Support a workplace culture that is safe, inclusive, accountable, and in line with the organization's mission, vision, values and humanitarian purpose .

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Support the recruitment and selection process and coordinate a seamless onboarding experience for all new hires.
• Collaborate with managers to identify staffing needs and support workforce planning, including the proposal and development of new roles.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Support a positive and inclusive work environment through effective communication and conflict resolution
• A ssist with personnel issues and grievances in a timely , confidential and fair manner , including escalations as needed
• Support staff engagement initiatives, including engagement surveys and needs assessments, to enhance overall job satisfaction.

Performance Management, Training & Development

• Support the Performance & Development Review (PDR) process and associated salary changes and provide guidance to managers on performance improvement plans.
• Identify training needs and coordinate the development and delivery of training programs, and support career development initiatives.

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll

• Administer benefits (GroupHEALTH, RRSP, fitness rebate, E au therapy ) PTO, and leave of absences, and support the annual compensation review, employee loans, and educational agreements.
• Assist with payroll processing, timesheets, T4s, and Records of Employment (ROEs) as needed

Compliance & HRIS

• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations , including applicable Ontario employment standards, human rights, occupational health and safety, accessibility, privacy, and workplace policy requirement s
• Support the roll‑out, adoption, and maintenance of Workday, and stay current with industry trends and best practices to continuously improve HR processes.

Skills

• Strong, current command of Canadian employment legislation, case law, and best practice with the confidence and judgment to apply it to real workplace situations.
• Proven ability to draft clear, practical HR policies, procedures, and guidelines that align with organizational objectives.
• Hands‑on experience with Workday is a strong asset.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, paired with a high standard of written and verbal communication.
• Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize, plan work effectively, and follow through on realistic action plans.
• A collaborative and motivating team player who welcomes fee