Job Description

Vice President, Human Resources
Remote (Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland OR Toronto Preferred)
Travel to Toronto 1-2 Weeks/Month Required
JK Executive Strategies is proud to partner with a global leader in its industry in search of an accomplished and pragmatic Vice President of Human Resources to lead its global people strategy across Canada, the United States, and International operations. This executive will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, ensuring that HR strategies directly support organizational performance, transformation, and stability during a period of significant change.
The successful candidate will have deep experience in both Canada and the U.S., with exposure to global HR operations, including managing employees, contractors, consultants, and employer-of-record arrangements. This leader must have manufacturing experience, a strong partnership orientation with Finance, and the ability to guide people-strategy within a private equity-owned environment.
This is not a developmental opportunity. It requires a proven HR executive who has already been the top HR decision-maker, accountable for outcomes, comfortable making high-stakes decisions, and experienced in working directly with boards and ownership groups.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and execute a global human capital strategy that aligns with business goals and transformation priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on all people-related matters, including workforce risk, talent strategy, and organizational effectiveness.
• Partner closely with the Finance team to align compensation, headcount, and benefits programs with financial and operational goals.
• Lead organizational design, workforce planning, and restructuring initiatives that balance cost efficiency with talent retention.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations across all jurisdictions in which the company operates.

Global HR Management

• Oversee HR operations across North America and key global regions, ensuring adherence to local labor laws, standards, and cultural considerations.
• Manage a diverse workforce, including full-time employees, contractors, consultants, and Employer-of-Record (EOR) engagements.
• Maintain strong working relationships with legal counsel and advisors to navigate complex international HR issues.
• Oversee the design and administration of compensation, benefits, and payroll programs across the U.S. and Canada, while maintaining global oversight of pensions and benefits.

Culture, Change, and Communication

• Lead change management and culture alignment efforts to foster accountability, transparency, and performance.
• Serve as a communication bridge across levels of the organization, summarizing clearly, knowing what to escalate and when, and ensuring alignment on key priorities.
• Build organizational resilience and engagement during a period of transition.

Employee & Labor Relations

• Provide executive oversight and coaching for employee relations issues across the organization.
• Oversee labor relations strategy and collective bargaining where applicable, ensuring fair and compliant practices.
• Partner with HR Business Partners and site leaders to ensure consistent application of policies and practices globally.

Compensation, Benefits, and Performance

• Lead compensation planning, benchmarking, and incentive design to ensure competitiveness and internal equity.
• Oversee benefits programs in the U.S. and Canada, while monitoring global benefit structures and pension plans.
• Strengthen performance management frameworks that drive accountability, development, and results.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly oversee the Human Resources leadership team, including HR operations, talent acquisition, employee relations, payroll and compensation/benefits.
• Provide coaching, development, and clear accountability for HR team members across geographies.
• Foster collaboration, continuous learning, and a strong service orientation within the HR function.

Education & Experience:
Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including serving as the #1 HR executive in a complex, multi-site organization.
• Deep experience in both Canadian and U.S. employment environments, with practical global exposure.
• Proven success in a manufacturing environment and within a company in distress, turnaround, or restructuring.
• Private equity experience and strong understanding of value creation, transformation, and cost management.
• Demonstrated collaboration with Finance, particularly in compensation planning, payroll oversight, and workforce budgeting.
• Experience with multiple employment types (contractors, consultants, EORs) preferred.
• Strong understanding of compensation, benefits, and performance management best practices.
• Ability to travel to Toronto 1-2 weeks/month required

Preferred:

• Prior exposure to HR practices across Europe or Asia.
• CHRL, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent certification.
• Experience with Union Environments.
• Experience leading HR transformation.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Agility: Connects business objectives to actionable people strategies.
• Executive Communication: Distills complex issues into clear, concise updates for the CEO and Board.
• Financial Acumen: Understands how HR decisions impact P&L, cash flow, and enterprise value.
• Change Leadership: Leads with stability, empathy, and resolve through uncertainty.
• Sound Judgment: Balances empathy with business discipline and risk awareness.

Salary Range

• $200-$225k USD

JK Executive Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of JK Executive Strategies to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.

Skills Required