Senior People Business Partner - Canada Advisory

About the Role

Based in Toronto, this role partners closely with Market Leaders and senior Advisory leadership to translate business strategy into a people agenda aligned to CBRE priorities, the Global People Roadmap, and Canada-specific market and business needs.

As a key member of the Canada Advisory People team, you will direct the design, roll‑out and communication of People initiatives, policies, and procedures across the Canada Advisory business. This job is part of the People Strategy & Operations function and is responsible for the design, execution, and ongoing effectiveness of people programs that support business performance, leadership capability, and employee experience.

What You'll Do

• Help design & execute People programs for Canada, including talent management, employee experience & onboarding, performance management, career development, leadership & succession planning, and reward initiatives, aligned to Canada Advisory business needs, leveraging CBRE best practices & frameworks
• Provide guidance on high‑risk and complex employee relations matters, including investigations, performance management, disciplinary action, and terminations, ensuring compliance with Canadian employment legislation and CBRE policy
• Partner with leaders to identify and mitigate employment‑related risk, applying sound judgment where business needs and risk considerations must be balanced
• Coach leaders and people managers at a variety of levels to strengthen people leadership capability and accountability
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and other People COEs to build strong internal talent pipelines, develop our talent effectively and address critical roles and skill gaps
• Use people data, metrics, and business insight to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and recommend improvements to drive efficiency, scalability, and impact
• Support the continued evolution of the People Function in Canada, embracing modernization and best practices from the Global People function
• Coach and mentor People colleagues, contributing to capability development across the People team
• Lead by example and role‑model behaviors consistent with CBRE RISE values
• Influence, persuade, and align stakeholders at senior levels with competing and divergent interests

Characteristics

• Advanced knowledge of Canadian employment legislation and employee relations practices
• Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to connect people outcomes to commercial performance
• Demonstrated ability to partner, coach and influence employees, leaders and key stakeholders in variety of different contexts
• Comfortable operating in a complex, matrixed, and fast‑paced environment
• Uses insight and data to inform decisions and anticipate future needs; high degree of comfort and expertise with analytics, business writing and leveraging AI tools for operational efficiency is preferred
• Resilient, pragmatic, adaptable, and solutions‑focused
• Bilingual English/French considered an asset

Communication

• Communicates complex, sensitive, or high‑risk information clearly and confidently
• Tailors messaging to senior leaders, managers, and People partners
• Builds trust through sound judgment, credibility, and impact

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in Canada without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.