Senior Director, HR Systems & Operations (London)

Senior Director, HR Systems & HR Operations (Contract – 2 to 3 Months)

Location: North York, Ontario (Hybrid)

Duration: 2 to 3 Month Contract

Reports To: Chief Human Resources Officer / Executive Leadership Team

Our client, a large and complex organization undergoing significant transformation, is seeking an experienced Senior Director, HR Systems & HR Operations to provide interim leadership during a critical period of organizational change. This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing HR Operations, HR Systems, Payroll, Employee Services, and HR Reporting & Analytics. The successful candidate will bring a strong blend of strategic leadership, operational excellence, and HR technology expertise, with a particular focus on optimizing HR processes, enhancing service delivery, and supporting the ongoing evolution of the organization's HR technology landscape.

Key Responsibilities

HR Systems & Technology Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for the organization's HR technology environment, including Workday HCM and related HR systems.
• Evaluate current HR system capabilities, identify opportunities for optimization, and recommend process improvements.
• Support system enhancements, upgrades, testing activities, security administration, and integration initiatives.
• Partner with IT and external vendors to ensure system reliability, compliance, and scalability.
• Drive adoption of best practices related to HR technology governance and user experience.

HR Operations & Shared Services

• Lead the day-to-day HR Operations and Employee Services functions.
• Assess current service delivery models and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and employee experience.
• Establish operational priorities, performance metrics, and service standards.
• Support the development and implementation of streamlined HR processes and workflows.

Payroll Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight and leadership for payroll operations.
• Ensure payroll processes remain compliant, accurate, and efficient.
• Collaborate with payroll leaders and external providers to resolve operational challenges and identify process improvements.

Reporting & Analytics

• Lead HR reporting, workforce analytics, and dashboard development initiatives.
• Deliver actionable insights to executive leadership through data-driven analysis.
• Support workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and talent management initiatives through reporting and analytics.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead process improvement initiatives using Agile, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Assess current-state processes and recommend future-state solutions.
• Support organizational transformation projects impacting HR systems, operations, and service delivery.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to HR Operations, HR Systems, Payroll, and Employee Services teams.
• Build strong relationships with executive leadership, HR business partners, IT leaders, and external vendors.
• Influence decision-making through strategic recommendations and operational expertise.
• Act as a trusted advisor on HR operational and technology matters.

Qualifications

Education

• University degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Information Systems, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree is considered an asset.
• CHRL, CHRE, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Agile, Scrum, or related certifications are considered strong assets.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• 8+ years of leadership experience within HR Operations, HR Shared Services, HR Systems, or HR Technology environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading HRIS and HR technology initiatives.
• Strong experience with Workday HCM, including system optimization, reporting, security, testing, and release management.
• Experience overseeing payroll operations within a large, complex organization.
• Experience leading shared services, employee service centres, or HR operations teams.
• Proven success leading organizational transformation and process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working within Agile or continuous improvement environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leadership and executive presence.
• Strong business acumen and decision-making ability.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong project and change management skills.
• Ability to quickly assess operational challenges and implement practical solutions.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, HR operations, and governance practices.

Preferred Experience

• Workday HCM leadership and governance.
• HR Shared Services leadership.
• Payroll transformation projects.
• HR Analytics and Workforce Planning.
• SaaS-based HR technology platforms.
• Vendor management and contract oversight.
• Large, multi-site, unionized environments.

Compensation

$77.00 – $85.00 per hour

This is a contract position with an expected duration of 2 to 3 months, based in North York, Ontario. The role offers the opportunity to lead critical HR Systems, HR Operations, Payroll, and Employee Services initiatives within a large and complex organization during a period of transformation.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise in Workday HCM, HR Operations, Payroll, Shared Services, and organizational transformation.