People & Culture Business Partner

MaRS Discovery District; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading innovation hub in Toronto seeks a People & Culture Business Partner. This role involves advising managers on people issues, leading recruitment efforts, and managing various People & Culture initiatives. Ideal candidates will have over 8 years of experience and possess strong analytical and collaboration skills. The role offers a competitive salary ranging from $85,000 to $105,000 with additional benefits.

Benefits

Up to 10% discretionary incentive target

GRSP matching

Extended healthcare benefits

Wellness spending account

Paid time-off

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of People & Culture experience, with at least 3 years in a Business Partner role.
• Strong analytical capability to uncover insights supporting decision-making.
• Proven success in a fast-paced team-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support managers on people-related issues.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment efforts.
• Manage People & Culture programs and initiatives.

Skills

People & Culture experience

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Employee relations

Recruitment expertise

Education

University degree or equivalent

Job description

About MaRS

MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) is a charitable organization and North America’s largest urban innovation hub, dedicated to helping high-growth technology companies succeed. With a focus on climate, health sciences and other emerging technologies, MaRS supports startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues. Through its world‑class facilities, strategic programs and partnerships, MaRS accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. MaRS is the place where you can play a meaningful role in the innovation economy.

We understand qualifications on a job posting can be daunting. If you're passionate about the role and believe you can make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you, even if you don't meet every listed qualification. We’re always looking for great talent to join our team on planet MaRS.

We actively encourage all candidates to apply, including equity‑deserving communities, including those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

We want you to be comfortable being your most authentic self throughout our recruitment process. Please reach out to [e-mail] if there’s anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.

About the Position

As a People & Culture Business Partner, you serve as the primary liaison between your assigned lines of business and the broader P&C team. Reporting to the Director and head of the People & Culture team, you seek to understand the business and organizational priorities so you can provide informed, strategic guidance on people related issues. In this role, you advise and support managers, collaborate on cross‑functional initiatives, and lead end‑to‑end recruitment efforts. You play a key role in identifying emerging themes and issues, surfacing thoughtful recommendations, and ensuring your guidance aligns with organizational goals. With a strong focus on mitigating and managing risk, you help shape a consistent, people‑centred approach that enables teams—and the organization—to thrive.

About you

You are passionate about your work and are a curious, lifelong learner. You have a solid background supporting and advising managers and senior leaders on employee relations and other people‑related issues. Ideally, you also bring depth of experience in one or more of the following areas: recruitment, employee experience and engagement, organizational development, performance enablement, and/or benefits and compensation management. You are highly adaptable, optimistic, and a strong team player who thrives in a fast‑paced environment. You are comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels and have a collaborative working style. You proactively identify challenges and propose thoughtful solutions. You bring strong analytical capabilities that help you interpret data, identify trends, and uncover insights.

Key Responsibilities

Advice and partnering

• Take the time to learn and understand the lines of business you support—including their goals and strategies.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal clients/managers; get to know employees; be approachable and welcoming.
• Leverage strong listening and observational skills to uncover underlying needs and issues.
• Provide guidance on day‑to‑day people‑related matters, including recruitment, succession planning, employee development, performance management, and employee relations, escalating as required.
• Support termination strategy and execution in a thoughtful, empathetic manner; mitigate organizational risk; liaise with external employment counsel, when needed.

Recruitment

• Consult with managers on hiring needs and develop sourcing strategies and recruitment plans.
• Support managers in creating clear, accurate, and compelling job postings.
• Advise on interview approaches and selection criteria.
• Train managers on effective recruitment practices.
• Lead timely, efficient, and effective recruitment processes, including posting roles, screening resumes, conducting preliminary interviews, scheduling interviews, occasionally participating in later‑stage interviews, coordinating work sample assignments, gathering collective feedback, drafting offer letters, and negotiating terms.
• Support onboarding planning to ensure new hires are set up for success.

Program and Project Management

• Lead a portfolio of People & Culture programs and organizational development initiatives. Some program examples are: performance management and compensation reviews; employee engagement strategy and measurement; recognition programs; employer branding; hybrid work; appropriate use of AI.
• For annual programs, manage timelines, communications, meetings, and deliverables, in collaboration with the broader P&C team.
• For new organizational development initiatives, conduct research, propose well‑considered options, present recommendations, design solutions, plan and oversee implementation, measure effectiveness; continually refine and improve.

Team Collaboration

• Share your expertise and act as a supportive mentor and guide to others on the team.
• Step in to support colleagues when workload and timing allows.
• Bring a collaborative spirit to all projects, actively seeking and considering input from the P&C team and from across the organization.
• Stay curious and informed about innovative and emerging People & Culture practices and approaches, and share with the team

Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 8 years of People & Culture experience, with at least 3 years in a Business Partner role.
• Strong analytical capability: able to identify business challenges, uncover insights to support decision‑making, and align people strategy with organizational strategy.
• Demonstrated success working in a fast‑paced, team‑based environment, partnering effectively with peers, senior leaders, managers, and professionals to deliver on key objectives and enhance engagement, productivity, and teamwork.
• Strong listening and observational skills; ability to use powerful questions to bring about understanding and insight.
• Business and organizational acumen, with the ability to use insights to improve talent and business outcomes.

Applications will close at 5pm EDT on December 1, 2025.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada, reside in Ontario, and be willing to work out of our Toronto office (101 College Street) a minimum of 3 days per week.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $105,000, up to 10% discretionary incentive target, GRSP matching, extended healthcare benefits, wellness spending account, and paid time‑off.

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