Senior People & Culture Business Partner - 12 month contract

Ballard Power Systems; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Senior Business Partner to enhance operational excellence and foster a high-performance culture. In this strategic role, you will collaborate with leaders to implement People and Culture strategies that drive engagement, performance, and inclusivity. Your expertise in HR best practices and strong interpersonal skills will be crucial in shaping the employee experience and ensuring organizational effectiveness. Join this dynamic team and contribute to a workplace that values diversity and empowers every individual to thrive. If you are passionate about creating a positive work environment and have a proven track record in HR, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Extended health and dental benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan matching

Onsite fitness facility & yoga classes

Extensive learning opportunities

People networks and mentorship programs

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a business partner or HR leadership role.
• Professional HR certification (e.g., CPHR) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with leaders to design P&C strategies that support business goals.
• Lead performance management cycle and drive employee engagement initiatives.

Skills

HR Expertise

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Project Management

Adaptability

Education

Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources

Business Administration

Tools

People Analytics

HCM Software

Excel

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced Business Partner with a passion for operational excellence to join our Ballard team on a 12 month contract. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate at a strategic level, working closely with our operations and production teams to drive efficiency, foster innovation, and achieve exceptional results. As a key player in our organization, you will bring expertise in operational strategy, resource optimization, and team leadership to strengthen our core processes and deliver high-quality products to our customers. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, have a proven track record in manufacturing, and are ready to take on a pivotal role in shaping the future of a growing company, we'd love to hear from you!

The Role:

As a Senior Business Partner you will play a pivotal role in developing, implementing, and advancing People and Culture (P&C) strategies that align with Ballard’s growth, culture, and mission. This strategic and hands-on position partners closely with leaders and teams to execute talent initiatives, enhance employee engagement, drive performance, and ensure a positive, inclusive work environment. With a focus on building a high-performance culture and maintaining strong employee relations, this role is instrumental in shaping the employee experience and enabling organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Business Partnering

1. Collaborate with department leaders to understand business goals and design P&C strategies that support those objectives.
2. Serve as a trusted advisor, providing guidance on talent management, workforce planning, organizational design, and change management.
3. Drive and support organizational change initiatives that align with company culture and business goals.

Employee Relations & Engagement

1. Support engagement initiatives throughout the full employee life cycle.
2. Build and maintain positive, productive employee relations, acting as a resource for employees and managers on all people-related matters.
3. Implement initiatives that foster employee engagement, recognition, and retention.
4. Act as an escalation point for employee relations issues, conducting investigations and recommending solutions that align with company values and policies.

Talent Development & Performance Management

1. Lead the performance management cycle, guiding managers and employees in goal setting, feedback, and career development discussions.
2. Identify training needs and partner with Learning & Development to create or source programs that enhance employee skills and capabilities.
3. Drive succession planning initiatives to identify and cultivate high-potential talent.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)

1. Champion and implement DE&I strategies and initiatives that promote an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued.
2. Partner with leaders to incorporate DE&I principles into hiring, development, and retention practices.

P&C Data & Analytics

1. Utilize people analytics to provide insights on turnover, engagement, performance, and other key metrics, enabling data-driven decisions.
2. Prepare and present reports and dashboards for senior leadership, identifying trends and making recommendations for continuous improvement.

Policy Development & Compliance

1. Ensure P&C policies and practices are compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.
2. Update and communicate policies, procedures, and standards, ensuring they reflect the company’s culture and values.
3. Support and lead projects, such as policy rollouts, technology implementations, and process improvements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. HR Expertise: In-depth knowledge of HR best practices, employment laws, and regulations. Demonstrated experience in employee relations, talent management, and organizational development.
2. Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills; ability to build relationships and influence at all levels of the organization.
3. Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze data, interpret metrics, and translate findings into actionable insights. Preference will be given to those candidates with experience with Analytics, HCM, and intermediate Excel skills.
4. Project Management: Proven experience in leading and managing HR projects, from inception through execution.
5. Adaptability & Resilience: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment and adept at managing multiple priorities with flexibility and efficiency.

Qualifications:

1. Education: Diploma or bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.
2. Experience: 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a business partner or HR leadership role.
3. Certification: Professional HR certification (e.g., CPHR) is an asset.

*This position works a hybrid model with a minimum of 3-4 days in office.

The typical hiring range for this position is $75,000 - $105,000. Ballard considers many factors in determining total compensation, including the successful Candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, experience, position location, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards offering, permanent employees in this position may be eligible for our competitive annual short-term and long-term bonus program, subject to program eligibility requirements.

As a Ballard employee, we want you to feel valued and appreciated for your efforts. That’s why we offer a competitive benefits package in addition to a performance-driven compensation philosophy. From bonuses to benefits, our people work hard, and we believe they should be rewarded for it. We care about career growth and development. We believe in work-life balance with tons of flexibility and rewarding benefits.

Extended health and dental benefits and employee assistance program
Paid time off
Retirement plan matching
Onsite fitness facility & yoga classes
Extensive learning opportunities, catalogue of development course offerings
People networks and mentorship programs (to name a few)

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have specific eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

*Due to the high volume of applications received, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

Our Values
Listen & Deliver | Quality. Always. | Inspire Excellence | Row Together | Own It

At Ballard, we believe that diversity drives innovation and success. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous persons, feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.

Ballard encourages applications from all qualified candidates who represent the full diversity of communities across the regions in which we operate.

At Ballard, we're committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. If you require any accommodations during the interview process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your comfort and accessibility are important to us, and we’re here to support you in any way we can.