Manager, People & Culture

Gowling WLG • Montreal, QC

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other. We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths. Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

This is a Manager-level People & Culture role with primary responsibility for the Montréal office and the firm’s francization program. The role provides local P&C leadership while ensuring alignment with national People & Culture standards and the Québec workplace context. the People & Culture shared services model evolves, the role may take on additional regional responsibilities in the future. Any such expansion would be assessed at that time based on business needs, overall scope, service model design, and appropriate role levelling.

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of relevant People & Culture experience, including experience at a manager level and demonstrated success supporting leaders, firm members, and advisors in a professional services or similarly complex environment.
• Fully bilingual in French and English, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• College or university degree in People & Culture, organizational development, business administration, or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of Québec employment requirements, francization obligations, French language workplace considerations, and national People & Culture compliance standards.
• Ability to translate policy and compliance guidance into clear, practical direction for leaders, teams, and firm members.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage highly confidential information with discretion.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and HR information systems.

Nice To Haves

• CRHA designation is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary People & Culture Manager for the Montréal office, ensuring that local programs, policies, and practices reflect national priorities, standards, and the Québec workplace context.
• Directly manage, coach, and support an Advisor and Coordinator in the delivery of P&C services, ensuring consistency, sound judgment, and a high-quality firm member and leader experience.
• Support the Office Managing Partner on Montréal engagement, culture, firm member experience, and people initiatives.
• Work closely with the Operations Director to ensure operational alignment, effective coordination of office priorities, and a seamless firm member and leader experience across People & Culture and office operations.
• Provide proactive coaching and trusted counsel to leaders and professionals on firm member relations, performance management, organizational culture, and the consistent application of policies.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and engagement initiatives for Montréal-based firm members and teams, as applicable.
• Lead and support the firm’s francization program, providing practical guidance on French language workplace requirements, language-of-work considerations, workplace communications, firm member-facing materials, and firm protocols for the Montréal office and, where Québec requirements apply, other offices.
• Coordinate with Legal, People & Culture, Communications, and operational resources to support consistent implementation, clear communication, and practical business-ready guidance for leaders and teams.
• Partner closely with the national People & Culture team to support firm-wide talent, culture, firm member experience, and compliance initiatives.
• Contribute to the continued development of the People & Culture shared services model by supporting consistent service delivery, role clarity, and alignment between Montréal office needs and national P&C standards.
• Support the preparation and monitoring of the annual People & Culture budget for the Montréal office, in alignment with national planning processes.
• Partner with Total Rewards to support accurate firm member records and consistent firm member administration.
• Perform any other related duties as required to support the Montréal office and the national People & Culture team.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Parental leave top-up for 26 weeks
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
• Financial protection through short & long-term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager