Lead HR Generalist - Americas

Canonical; Sherbrooke; Remote; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Canonical is seeking a Lead HR Generalist to shape and execute HR functions for the AMER region. This senior role involves driving HR initiatives, partnering with leadership, and ensuring compliant operations while working in a global, remote-first environment. Ideal candidates will have strong HR experience in technology and a focus on data-driven decision-making.

Benefits

Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year

Annual compensation review

Recognition rewards

Annual holiday leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues

Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events

Qualifications

• Exceptional academic record from high school and university.
• HR experience leading initiatives across regions within a technology business.
• Fluent in business English.

Responsibilities

• Deliver precise and compliant HR operations in a timely manner.
• Interact closely with the Americas HR Manager and Global Head of HR.
• Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Skills

Project Management

Data Analysis

Employee Relations

Diversity and Inclusion

Education

High School Diploma

University Degree

Job description

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.

We require an HR function that thinks and acts globally. We're looking for a Lead HR Generalist to offer their expertise to our AMER region. It's an exciting time to join with the opportunity to help shape and create an HR function for the future. The senior role will serve as a driver and practitioner in both regional and global HR initiatives. You will join a global team of HR professionals to provide precise, compliant, and scalable HR operations to the business, advise and execute on HR issues across the whole employee life-cycle, and partner with leadership in your region. You will have an analytical approach, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to interpret data trends and themes.

Location: This role will be based remotely in the AMER region

The role entails

1. Deliver precise and compliant HR operations in a timely manner and with the highest degree of accuracy
2. Interact closely with the Americas HR Manager and the Global Head of HR to create impact across all HR regions
3. Be accountable for HR processes such as talent development, succession planning, performance assessments, onboarding, culture and engagement initiatives that drive a high performing team
4. Work with managers across the business on performance management, organizational design, employee engagement, rewards, and workforce planning
5. Partner with the HRIS team to develop and refine operational processes for day-to-day HR administration
6. Coach and advise people managers on employee relations issues across multiple countries
7. Partner with people managers to support the delivery of training and development programs
8. Establish a trusted partnership with the business in your region
9. Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
10. Design new policies and deliver on global HR projects

What we are looking for in you

1. Exceptional academic record from high school and university
2. HR experience leading initiatives across regions within a technology business
3. Regional HR experience within Latin America (Brazil and/or Mexico is a plus), with understanding of local labor laws, insights, and competitive awareness
4. Experience in business partnering with senior stakeholders
5. A balance between leading and executing, with hands-on involvement in daily HR routines
6. Experience mentoring and developing others
7. Strong project management skills
8. Experience working in a remote-first organization
9. Able to leverage data for decision-making
10. Fluent in business English
11. Self-motivated, organized, accurate, confident, authentic, results-oriented, open-minded, and enthusiastic
12. Willing to travel up to 4 times a year

Nice to have skills

1. Experience with immigration policies and mobility processes
2. Payroll and benefits oversight experience
3. Knowledge of HR systems and databases
4. Professional HR certifications
5. Facilitation skills

What we offer colleagues

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards
• Annual holiday leave
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the publisher of Ubuntu, a major open source project and platform for AI, IoT, and cloud, we are changing the software world. We recruit globally and set high standards for new hires. Working here is a step into the future, challenging you to think differently, learn new skills, and improve continuously.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds enhances our environment and products. We consider all applications fairly regardless of your identity.