Director, People and Culture

illumin•Toronto, ON

2d•CA$150,000 - CA$170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At illumin, we are transforming the advertising landscape. Our platform offers an integrated space for journey planning, execution, and reporting. It empowers marketers to connect with their audiences in powerful ways through real-time data and easy-to-use visual tools. By seamlessly combining media planning and buying in an intuitive interface, marketers can take complete control of their campaigns, meeting customers wherever they are in the buying journey and maximizing the impact of their ad spend through personalized insights for smarter decision-making. We are at a pivotal moment, evolving into a product-led company with a team of over 100 skilled professionals and new leadership guiding our path forward. By harnessing the power of data, advancing our AI capabilities, and deeply investing in our people, we are preparing for a future that will redefine what’s possible in journey advertising. Our work is guided by two beliefs: that the ability to execute is paramount to success and that we are only as good as our people. As we grow and transform, we are looking for team members (illumineers) who share our bias for speed, delivery over perfection, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Joining us now is a chance to be part of our transformation.

Requirements

The HR business partnering experience. You have experience partnering with senior leaders in a technology, SaaS, digital media, or high-growth environment. You understand how to align people strategies with business priorities and can confidently advise leaders on organizational design, talent management, workforce planning, employee engagement, and performance.
The leadership and coaching capability. You are a trusted advisor who builds credibility quickly and is comfortable supporting leaders through both opportunities and challenges. You have experience coaching managers, strengthening leadership effectiveness, navigating complex people situations, and helping teams perform at their best.
The strategic and operational balance. You think strategically while remaining close enough to the work to execute. You enjoy building and improving programs, processes, and practices, but you are equally comfortable rolling up your sleeves and getting involved when the business requires it. You thrive in environments where priorities evolve and where impact matters more than hierarchy.
The business acumen. You are curious about how businesses operate and understand that effective people decisions support business performance. You take the time to understand organizational goals, challenges, and priorities, allowing you to provide practical, commercially minded advice that balances employee experience with business outcomes.
The change management and organizational effectiveness experience. You have supported organizations through growth, transformation, or periods of change. You are comfortable helping leaders navigate ambiguity, drive adoption of new initiatives, and build the structures, capabilities, and practices needed to support evolving business needs.
The communication and relationship-building skills. You are an exceptional listener and communicator who can influence across all levels of an organization. Whether facilitating difficult conversations, presenting recommendations to senior leaders, or building trust with employees, you know how to create alignment, foster collaboration, and drive positive outcomes.
The leadership experience. You have experience leading and developing small teams and understand how to create clarity, accountability, and engagement. You can effectively lead both the People and Office Operations functions, ensuring employees, leaders, and the business have the support, resources, and guidance needed to thrive.

Responsibilities

Partner with leaders to strengthen organizational effectiveness. You will act as a trusted advisor to leaders across the business, helping them navigate organizational design, workforce planning, talent decisions, performance challenges, and team effectiveness. By understanding both the business and its people, you will help leaders build high-performing teams capable of supporting growth and change.
Coach and develop leadership capability. You will work closely with managers and senior leaders to strengthen leadership effectiveness, providing guidance, coaching, and practical support on performance management, employee development, communication, and team engagement. You will help create a consistent leadership experience across the organization.
Shape and evolve our people strategy. You will assess existing programs, identify opportunities for improvement, and help design and implement people initiatives that support business priorities. From talent management and succession planning to employee engagement and organizational development, you will ensure our people practices evolve alongside the business.
Lead through change and growth. As the organization continues to evolve, you will help leaders and employees navigate change with clarity and confidence. You will support transformation initiatives, guide difficult conversations, and help ensure people considerations are integrated into business decisions.
Drive a positive employee experience. You will help create an environment where employees can do their best work by supporting engagement, development, recognition, and retention initiatives. You will serve as a trusted resource for leaders and employees, balancing empathy with sound business judgment.
Partner across the business. Working closely with the COO, senior leadership team, and cross-functional stakeholders, you will help align people strategies with business objectives. You will bring a balanced perspective that considers employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and long-term business success when advising on key decisions.
Lead and support the People & Operations team. You will provide leadership, coaching, and direction to a small but impactful team, including Human Resources and Office Operations. You will help drive the people strategy, support leaders through complex challenges, and strengthen organizational effectiveness. You will create clarity, prioritize initiatives, remove obstacles, and ensure the function delivers an exceptional employee and leadership experience.