People Operations Manager

Agada Biosciences Inc; Halifax; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AGADA Biosciences Inc. is seeking a People Operations Manager to lead day-to-day HR operations, performance management, onboarding, benefits administration, and immigration support in Halifax. This is a newly created role within a rapidly growing therapeutics research company.

Reporting to the COO, you will help build scalable people practices, maintain compliance, and support employee experience across a expanding scientific organization in a newly renovated Halifax waterfront space.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR or People Operations experience.

Responsibilities

• Administer performance management processes and timelines.

Skills

Performance management

Employee relations

Onboarding

Benefits administration

Immigration support

HR policy knowledge

Communication

Discretion & confidentiality

HRIS experience

Project management

Education

CPHR designation or equivalent HR certification

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

HRIS systems

Job description

The People Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration, coordination, and execution of AGADA's people programs and HR operations. This role serves as the primary internal resource for employees on HR-related matters and ensures the effective delivery of performance management, onboarding, benefits administration, immigration support, compliance activities, employee documentation, and people processes.This is a newly created position in a rapidly growing therapeutics research company located in newly renovated space on the Halifax waterfront.

Reporting to the COO, the People Operations Manager will help build scalable people practices that support a growing scientific organization while maintaining a positive employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Performance Management

• Administer AGADA's performance management processes and timelines.
• Coordinate performance review cycles through ADP Workforce Now.
• Manage review schedules, feedback collection, reminders, and completion tracking.
• Prepare performance review materials and summaries for leadership review.
• Coordinate performance review meetings and documentation.
• Maintain records of promotions, compensation adjustments, and development plans.
• Support managers in maintaining performance documentation and follow-up actions.

Employee Relations and HR Administration

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee HR questions and concerns.
• Maintain employee records and HR documentation.
• Coordinate employee leaves, accommodations, and employment status changes.
• Assist with employee relations matters and documentation under the direction of leadership.
• Maintain documentation related to performance improvement plans and performance development processes.

Benefits and Compliance

• Administer employee benefits programs and coordinate with providers.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment legislation and internal policies.
• Monitor required HR compliance activities and deadlines.
• Coordinate policy updates and implementation with external HR consultants.
• Support audits and reporting requirements as needed.

Immigration and Global Workforce Support

• Track work permit, visa, and immigration deadlines.
• Coordinate documentation and communication with immigration counsel.
• Support employees through immigration-related processes.
• Maintain accurate immigration records and reporting.

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Coordinate recruitment processes and candidate communications.
• Support hiring managers with interview scheduling and candidate logistics.
• Manage onboarding activities and new hire documentation.
• Coordinate employee orientation and integration activities.

People Programs and Operations

• Support implementation of career frameworks, job architecture, and talent development initiatives.
• Maintain AGADA's career ladder framework by coordinating periodic reviews, updating progression criteria and supporting documentation, and partnering with department leaders to ensure career pathways remain current, consistent, and aligned with business needs.
• Maintain job descriptions and organizational documentation.
• Coordinate employee engagement activities, surveys, and follow-up actions.
• Manage HR systems, reporting, and process improvements.
• Partner with external HR consultants to implement people initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of progressive HR or People Operations experience.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Experience administering performance management programs.
• Experience supporting benefits administration and employee relations processes.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Experience working with HRIS systems.

Preferred

• Experience in a high-growth startup or scaling organization.
• Experience supporting scientific, technical, or professional services teams.
• Experience coordinating immigration or global workforce processes.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• CPHR designation or equivalent HR certification.

Success Measures

• Performance review cycles completed on schedule.
• Employee inquiries responded to in a timely manner.
• Immigration renewals and filings completed on time.
• High-quality HR documentation and record keeping.
• Positive employee experience and manager satisfaction.
• Continuous improvement of HR processes and systems.