Director of Human Resources

Location: Toronto (primarily in-office, 4 days/week)
Reports to: CEO
Compensation: $150-180k 

We are representing a fast-scaling AI technology company that is building a category-defining AI operating system for private equity-backed companies. The organization operates across North America, Europe, South America, and India and is seeking a Director of Human Resources to build and lead its global HR function.

Role Overview

This is a critical leadership role responsible for building and scaling the company's HR infrastructure, systems, and processes across multiple geographies. Reporting directly to the CEO and partnering closely with Finance and the Chief of Staff, the Director of Human Resources will act as both a strategic partner and hands-on operator. Initial priorities include international payroll, compliance, onboarding, and HR operations, while also supporting workforce planning, organizational design, and talent strategy as the company scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the global HR function, including HR operations, international payroll, and regulatory compliance across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and Brazil
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, regulatory requirements, and internal policies across all jurisdictions
• Lead and manage multi-country payroll operations and external payroll providers
• Act as an internal advisor on employment law, terminations, documentation, and regulatory changes
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies, employee handbooks, and compliance frameworks
• Oversee benefits administration and vendor relationships across geographies
• Manage HR operations including employee records, employment contracts, immigration coordination, leave management, and statutory reporting
• Design and scale onboarding programs to ensure a consistent and compliant employee experience
• Partner with leadership on recruiting processes, candidate evaluation frameworks, and offer structuring
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Legal, and executive leadership to align HR operations with business objectives
• Identify operational risks and implement scalable, repeatable HR processes to improve efficiency and employee experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Human Resources, or a related field
• Senior-level Human Resources experience with ownership of HR operations, compliance, and payroll functions across complex organizations
• Strong knowledge of Canadian employment law, payroll regulations, and statutory requirements
• Deep expertise in U.S. employment law, payroll administration, and compliance management
• Experience managing multi-country payroll operations, ideally including the UK, India, and Brazil
• Proven track record overseeing HR compliance across multiple jurisdictions
• Experience with onboarding, employment documentation, and HR systems
• Experience supporting recruitment and partnering with hiring managers
• Experience building HR infrastructure within a scaling organization
• Strong operational rigor, attention to detail, and documentation accuracy
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-scaling environment while building structure and process
• Excellent communication skills and ability to advise senior leadership on employment, compliance, and risk-related matters
• Consulting or professional services experience is considered an asset