Director, People, Inclusion & Culture

Universal Music Canada is Canada’s leading music company, engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content.  Home to the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMC is committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship in broadening opportunities for our artists on both the domestic and world stages as well as creating new experiences for fans.
 

Universal Music Canada is part of Universal Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment.
 

We are searching for creative, innovative, and passionate people to fill a current vacancy on our team. If you love music and are excited about joining this amazing organization, we would love to meet you!

Director, People, Inclusion & Culture

The UMC team works four days a week from our award-winning creative campus located in Liberty Village, Toronto, and one day to work virtually.

How we LEAD:

We are looking for a Director, People, Inclusion & Culture (“PIC”) who is a passionate HR Generalist and a key partner to the Leadership Team in driving the business as it relates to our people and organizational strategy.  The Director is also responsible for managing the day-to-day PIC activities including advising and coaching on policies and procedures, staffing, compensation, employee relations, culture and development, as well as organizational and change management.

How You’ll CREATE:

• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the team to deliver value-added services, ensure consistent practices, and successfully implement new initiatives.

• Influence and coach leaders, managers, and employees on people-related decisions, career development, goal setting, performance improvement, and effective people management.

• Proactively assess PIC service needs and develop strategies to address them.

• Address employee relations matters in partnership with PIC leadership.

• Manage a process-driven workload and transactional PIC responsibilities.

• Facilitate and support employee onboarding and offboarding, including conducting exit interviews.

• Partner with the PIC team on talent assessment, organizational design, learning and development, and culture-enhancing initiatives.

• Support Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, employee wellbeing, and initiatives that foster a high-performing, engaged, and positive employee experience.

• Support the rollout of PIC and company-wide programs and initiatives.

• Manage department administration, processes, records, and employee files while ensuring operational excellence and compliance.

• Represent Universal Music Canada and the PIC function by maintaining current knowledge of industry trends, legislation, best practices, and business developments.

• Serve as a member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation across PIC and Payroll.

• Effectively and responsibly use approved AI technologies to enhance productivity, improve decision-making, and support business objectives while adhering to governance, privacy, and confidentiality requirements.

• Oversee the payroll function.

• Conduct research, data analysis, and implementation of programs, reports, and projects as assigned.

• Duties, projects and responsibilities may be amended from time to time in order to support efficient company operations

Bring your VIBE:

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources Business Partner experience.

• Comprehensive experience across core Human Resources disciplines, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, organizational design, leadership development, change management, workforce planning, and talent management/succession planning.

• Experience practicing HR within a creative industry (music, media, fashion, advertising, etc.) is an asset.

• Experience leading change management and process improvement initiatives.

• Experience using AI tools to design, structure, and improve organizational frameworks (e.g., competency models, change management frameworks).

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into actionable people strategies.

• Consultative and influential leader with a proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence decision-making at all organizational levels.

• Demonstrated leadership capability, including coaching leaders, managing people, and navigating difficult conversations with professionalism.

• Passion for cultivating high-performing teams and a culture of excellence in service delivery.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with diplomacy, honesty, and approachability.

• Exceptional organizational, planning, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated initiative with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to identify efficiencies and improve processes.

• Highly adaptable, entrepreneurial, and comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.

• High level of professionalism, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.

• Positive, energetic, resilient, and action-oriented with a growth mindset.

Knowledge & Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of Canadian employment legislation, including multi-provincial Employment Standards, Human Rights legislation, and Occupational Health & Safety requirements.

• Experience with Workday is required, Lattice and ADP Workforce Now are assets.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); Visio and Adobe are assets.

Education & Certifications

• Degree in Human Resources or an equivalent post-secondary diploma/certificate.

• CHRP designation and Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) certification are assets.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Compensation Package includes, Wellness Program, Health & Dental Benefits, Pension Plan, Savings Plan with company matching

• 2-week paid Winter Break 

• Summer Fridays

• Employee Ticket Box

This job description provides a general overview of responsibilities and is subject to change.

Universal Music Canada is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and strongly welcomes and encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples, people of colour, women, persons with disabilities, people who are 2SLGBTQIA+, and people from other diverse communities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Salary Range:

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.  All candidates are encouraged to apply.