Senior Manager, IT Business Partner

Celestica; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Celestica in Toronto seeks a Senior Manager, IT Business Partner to align global HR with IT capabilities, driving efficiency and digital transformation. You translate HR vision into a scalable technology roadmap and oversee high-impact HRIS projects.

You will lead administration of SAP SuccessFactors and related HR platforms, perform business analysis, map global processes, and partner with HR and IT teams to optimize data, privacy compliance, and AI-enabled solutions.

Qualifications

• Experience administering core HR systems (SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, Concur, ADP Payroll)
• Ability to gather requirements and map HR processes
• Knowledge of HR data privacy regulations (GDPR, PIPEDA)
• Awareness of AI, automation, and predictive analytics in HR
• Experience leading cross-functional HR IT projects with vendors

Responsibilities

• Lead alignment between global HR and IT capabilities
• Drive requirements gathering and workshop facilitation for HR tech solutions
• Provide advisory on HRIS administration and data integrity
• Analyze HR workflows and propose system-driven improvements and automation
• Manage HR IT projects end-to-end with PMO, teams, and vendors
• Develop technology roadmaps and vendor management strategies
• Explore AI/ML/NLP opportunities to enhance HR processes and analytics

Skills

HRIS Admin

Business Analysis

HR Business Acumen

AI & Innovation

Project Management

Analytical Thinking

Work Ethic

Education

Bachelor's Degree (CS/IT/Business Admin)

Tools

SAP SuccessFactors

Workday

Concur

ADP Payroll

Job description

Job Title: Senior Manager, IT Business Partner

Remote Position: Hybrid

Country: Canada

City: Toronto

Summary

Working with the Director of Workflow Solutions, IT Business Partner (HR) is responsible for leading the alignment between the global Human Resources organization and global IT capabilities. This role is a critical driver of HR operational efficiency, talent experience, and digital transformation, requiring a strong advisor who can translate HR business vision into a scalable technology roadmap and manage high-impact systems from ideation to delivery.

The role requires a unique blend of technical experience in the administration and configuration of core HR applications (specifically SAP SuccessFactors and all its modules), paired with strong business analysis skills to engage HR teams, review and optimize global processes, and solicit technical requirements when business needs change. The candidate must also be a forward-thinking technologist, identifying opportunities to modernize the HR IT landscape through emerging technologies, automation, and AI-driven capabilities.

• HRIS Technical Expertise: Strong hands-on experience and administration-level knowledge of major HR systems and platforms, such as SAP SuccessFactors (Employee Central), Workday, Concur (Travel & Expense), ADP Payroll, or equivalent enterprise HCM solutions.
• Business Analysis & Process Mapping: Demonstrated strength in eliciting, documenting, and presenting business requirements. Experienced in performing objective process re-engineering to improve service delivery and maximize system utilization.
• HR Business Acumen: Broad understanding of standard HR processes (hire-to-retire lifecycle), payroll processing rules, global compliance considerations, and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, PIPEDA) regarding employee record confidentiality.
• AI & Innovation Mindset: Familiarity with modern AI use cases in Human Resources, including AI-driven recruitment screening, automated virtual assistants/chatbots for employee queries, and predictive workforce analytics.
• Project Management & Delivery: Strong track record in project management, planning, and coordination across cross-functional teams and third-party SaaS vendors.
• Analytical & Communication Skills: High proficiency in critical thinking, negotiation, and creative problem-solving. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly to non-technical HR partners, as well as present strategic plans to senior leadership.
• Work Ethics: Proactive self-starter with an "owner's mindset," delivering high-quality work on time with meticulous attention to detail.

Detailed Description

Performs tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Relationship Management & Alignment: Build close relationships with global HR functional leads (Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits, Payroll, Employee Relations, and Learning & Development) to understand their operational pain points and strategic technology needs.
• Requirements Gathering & Workshop Facilitation: Lead detailed requirements gathering workshops with HR subject matter experts using Design Thinking, process mapping, and structured business analysis frameworks to translate HR needs into clear, actionable IT specifications.
• Application Administration & Oversight: Provide technical advisory and oversight on the configuration, integration, and administration of HR Information Systems (HRIS) and related applications, ensuring data integrity and streamlined data flows.
• Process Engineering & Optimization: Analyze and evaluate existing global HR workflows (e.g., employee onboarding, performance management cycles, payroll processing). Conduct feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses to propose system-driven improvements and automation.
• Project Delivery & Governance: In collaboration with the IT PMO, internal technical teams, and external SaaS vendors, drive HR IT projects through their complete lifecycle. Manage project roadblocks, negotiate timelines, and ensure standard project management practices and compliance standards are met.
• Technology Roadmap & Vendor Management: Research emerging trends in the HR technology landscape (such as SaaS upgrades, cloud HRM updates, and third-party integrations). Work with key vendors to evaluate software, negotiate Statements of Work (SOWs), and align upgrades with business priorities.
• Next-Gen Tech Innovation: Proactively identify and assess how advanced capabilities—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP)—can be leveraged to enhance HR processes, improve employee self-service, and support predictive talent analytics.

Physical Demands

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data. Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.

Typical Experience

• 10+ years of related IT experience on HR technology, HRIS implementation and corporate IT partnership.
• Proven track record of managing and administering cloud HR platforms and executing complex, cross-functional HR IT projects.

Typical Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, or equivalent combination of work experience and education.