Interim HR Executive – Strategic Growth Mandate

xNorth; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

xNorth is seeking an Interim HR Executive to lead strategic people initiatives during a maternity leave, based in Toronto, Canada. You will partner with senior leadership to align HR with business growth, design scalable org structure, and elevate talent practices across Canada and the US.

You will upgrade HRIS/ATS, develop recruitment and onboarding for senior talent, embed DEI, coach leaders, and act as trusted advisor. Strong business acumen and cross-border employment knowledge essential.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in an executive HR role within high-growth professional services.
• Experience building scalable HR foundations for rapid expansion.
• Familiarity with Canadian and US employment landscapes and cross-border practices.
• Ability to lead strategically while enabling internal teams to execute.

Responsibilities

• Align HR strategy with business objectives and growth plans.
• Build scalable HR infrastructure, job architecture, and progression paths.
• Upgrade HRIS/ATS, performance management, and ensure NA compliance.
• Refine hiring strategies for senior roles and US market entry.
• Embed DEI and provide leadership development and coaching.
• Act as trusted advisor to the executive team with data-driven insights.

Skills

Executive HR

Change management

Strategic HR

Leadership development

HR metrics

Attrition analysis

Talent branding

Coaching

Stakeholder management

DEI focus

Tools

HRIS

ATS

Job description

Interim HR Executive - Management Consuling

Interim HR Executive – Strategic Growth Mandate

Location: Toronto, Canada

Start Date: Immediate

Duration: 6 to 9 months

We are currently supporting a dynamic and fast-growing management consulting firm as they enter a critical growth phase. With a trajectory set to triple revenue over the next five years, they are seeking an experienced HR executive to step in during a maternity leave and lead with a strong strategic lens.

The Mandate

This Interim HR Executive will take ownership of the HR function at a pivotal moment, supporting business scale-up while ensuring internal systems, processes, and leadership capabilities are ready to evolve. You’ll work directly with the leadership team to align people strategy with business priorities, optimize organizational design, and elevate talent practices across Canada and the US.

Key Responsibilities

1. Align HR Strategy with Business Objectives

• Rapidly gain insight into the business model, leadership dynamics, and growth roadmap
• Pinpoint key opportunities to strengthen people operations in a high-growth, consulting environment

2. Build Scalable HR Infrastructure

• Assess and optimize HR structure, job architecture, and career progression
• Upgrade core HR systems and tools (HRIS, ATS, performance management)
• Ensure compliance with employment law across North America
• Refine campus and senior hiring strategies, including U.S. market entry
• Collaborate on enhancing the employer brand in partnership with marketing
• Identify opportunities to improve the onboarding journey for senior talent

4. Embed DEI into Company Practices

• Partner with DEI consultants to identify focus areas and co-create action plans

5. Enable Leadership & Organizational Development

• Provide coaching and guidance to emerging leaders
• Recommend and implement training programs that build management capacity

6. Act as a Trusted Advisor to the Executive Team

• Support leadership in navigating complex people-related decisions
• Provide insight using existing HR metrics and recommend improvements
• Analyze current attrition patterns and identify key drivers
• Co-create a retention and engagement plan aligned with business culture and values

What We’re Looking For

• Proven track record in an executive HR role within a high-growth consulting, engineering, or technical services firm
• Experience building HR foundations in organizations scaling rapidly
• Familiarity with both Canadian and U.S. employment landscapes
• Ability to operate at a strategic level while empowering internal teams to lead operations
• Strong business acumen, executive presence, and change management skills

This is a high-impact interim opportunity for an HR leader who thrives in dynamic environments and knows what it takes to scale a people function for growth.