Vice President, Total Rewards and People Operations
Top Benefits
About the role
About Nicola Wealth:
We have a lot to be proud of at Nicola Wealth. Our sophisticated financial planning, our diversified private investment funds and their exceptional performance, our 99% client retention rate and our award-winning culture, combine to position us as a national leader in wealth management. Recognized as a Best Managed Company and one of Canada's Top Employers, we are dedicated to upholding our firm's values through this phase of significant growth.
By bringing together smart, dedicated and supportive colleagues from diverse backgrounds, we deliver extraordinary client service in a values-driven work environment. The collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit we were founded on provides the opportunity for you to make a real impact and build a rewarding career. We are passionate about our business, our culture and investing deeply in your growth and development to build for the future. If you have this same drive, then let's talk!
Purpose of the Role:
The Vice President, Total Rewards & People Operations is a key member of the People & Culture (P&C) leadership team, responsible for designing, executing, and continuously evolving Nicola Wealth's total rewards and people operations strategies. This role is both strategic and operational—driving innovation in compensation, benefits, equity, and recognition programs while ensuring a seamless and scalable people operations infrastructure.
Reporting to the Chief People Officer and working closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors, the VP will ensure our total rewards philosophy and approach is competitive, equitable, and aligned with Nicola Wealth's long-term growth and high-performance culture. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with deep functional expertise in total rewards, strong business acumen, and the ability to influence and advise senior leaders across the firm.
Core Responsibilities:
Total Rewards Strategy & Programs
- Lead the design and implementation of a competitive, equitable, and forward-thinking total rewards strategy that reflects Nicola Wealth's culture, business priorities, and growth ambitions.
- Oversee all aspects of compensation, benefits design and recognition, including base salary structures, short- and long-term incentives, equity programs, asset management, advisory and executive compensation and benefits programs.
- Partner with the CPO and CEO to support Board-level governance and decision-making on executive and equity compensation matters.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership across the firm support strategic and operational compensation decisions.
- Analyze market trends and internal data to drive ongoing enhancements to total rewards programs.
People Operations and Systems
- Lead the P&C operations function to drive excellence in systems, processes and service delivery.
- Leverage and enhance people analytics and data to generate actionable insights that inform executive decision-making, optimize total rewards strategies, and support workforce planning, engagement, and retention.
- Oversee and optimize the HRIS (Ceridian Dayforce) and people technology stack, ensuring it supports the needs of a growing, data-driven organization.
- Lead a team to streamline and automate HR processes to enhance efficiency, data integrity, and the overall employee experience.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as a collaborative team member of the People & Culture leadership team to ensure integration and alignment of people and total rewards programs across the employee lifecycle.
- Inspire and develop a high-performing total rewards and people operations team.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing guidance and analysis to support strategic and operational compensation decisions.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field (Master's degree or HR certification an asset)
- 15+ years of progressive HR experience in compensation / total rewards role
- 10+ years of experience in HR leadership roles
- Experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented organization; asset management/wealth management or professional services experience preferred
- Proven track record of leading compensation planning cycles, benefits programs
- Experience leading HRIS implementations and operations functions preferred
Compensation & Benefits Package:
This position comes with a base salary range of $180,000 - $220,000 plus a competitive performance bonus, RRSP contribution and participation in our profit-sharing program. Base salary will be commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications.
At Nicola Wealth, our people grow our business, delight our clients, and live our values every day. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package reflects our appreciation for this commitment. Whether it's participating in our profit sharing and benefit programs on day one, or the opportunity to participate in our share ownership program, our people are able to go beyond a conventional salary and bonus structure. To learn more about our complete package, visit: www.nicolawealth.com/total-rewards.
Please include both a cover letter and resume in support of your application. We are an inclusive, equal opportunity employer. For more information about this and other roles: www.nicolawealth.com/careers*.*
It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. Should you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process please contact us at accessibility@nicolawealth.com and we will work with you to meet your needs. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Nicola Wealth policies.
Thank you for your interest in a career with Nicola Wealth!
About Nicola Wealth
Founded in 1994, Nicola Wealth Management Ltd (Nicola Wealth) has over 30 years of investment management experience and has navigated through numerous market cycles, economic downturns, and geopolitical events. Over that time, we have built a team of investment professionals, managing a broad range of investment solutions which span traditional asset classes, such as Canadian and global equities and fixed income, as well as private asset classes including hard asset real estate, infrastructure, private debt, mortgages, and private equity.
Today, Nicola Wealth is one of the largest independent (non-bank) private investment counselling firms in Canada, with approximately $16.8 billion of assets under management as of Jan 1, 2025.
For more information, please visit www.nicolawealth.com.
Nicola Wealth Management Ltd. (Nicola Wealth) is registered as a Portfolio Manager, Exempt Market Dealer and Investment Fund Manager with the required securities commissions.
Vice President, Total Rewards and People Operations
Top Benefits
About the role
About Nicola Wealth:
We have a lot to be proud of at Nicola Wealth. Our sophisticated financial planning, our diversified private investment funds and their exceptional performance, our 99% client retention rate and our award-winning culture, combine to position us as a national leader in wealth management. Recognized as a Best Managed Company and one of Canada's Top Employers, we are dedicated to upholding our firm's values through this phase of significant growth.
By bringing together smart, dedicated and supportive colleagues from diverse backgrounds, we deliver extraordinary client service in a values-driven work environment. The collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit we were founded on provides the opportunity for you to make a real impact and build a rewarding career. We are passionate about our business, our culture and investing deeply in your growth and development to build for the future. If you have this same drive, then let's talk!
Purpose of the Role:
The Vice President, Total Rewards & People Operations is a key member of the People & Culture (P&C) leadership team, responsible for designing, executing, and continuously evolving Nicola Wealth's total rewards and people operations strategies. This role is both strategic and operational—driving innovation in compensation, benefits, equity, and recognition programs while ensuring a seamless and scalable people operations infrastructure.
Reporting to the Chief People Officer and working closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors, the VP will ensure our total rewards philosophy and approach is competitive, equitable, and aligned with Nicola Wealth's long-term growth and high-performance culture. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with deep functional expertise in total rewards, strong business acumen, and the ability to influence and advise senior leaders across the firm.
Core Responsibilities:
Total Rewards Strategy & Programs
- Lead the design and implementation of a competitive, equitable, and forward-thinking total rewards strategy that reflects Nicola Wealth's culture, business priorities, and growth ambitions.
- Oversee all aspects of compensation, benefits design and recognition, including base salary structures, short- and long-term incentives, equity programs, asset management, advisory and executive compensation and benefits programs.
- Partner with the CPO and CEO to support Board-level governance and decision-making on executive and equity compensation matters.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership across the firm support strategic and operational compensation decisions.
- Analyze market trends and internal data to drive ongoing enhancements to total rewards programs.
People Operations and Systems
- Lead the P&C operations function to drive excellence in systems, processes and service delivery.
- Leverage and enhance people analytics and data to generate actionable insights that inform executive decision-making, optimize total rewards strategies, and support workforce planning, engagement, and retention.
- Oversee and optimize the HRIS (Ceridian Dayforce) and people technology stack, ensuring it supports the needs of a growing, data-driven organization.
- Lead a team to streamline and automate HR processes to enhance efficiency, data integrity, and the overall employee experience.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Serve as a collaborative team member of the People & Culture leadership team to ensure integration and alignment of people and total rewards programs across the employee lifecycle.
- Inspire and develop a high-performing total rewards and people operations team.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing guidance and analysis to support strategic and operational compensation decisions.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field (Master's degree or HR certification an asset)
- 15+ years of progressive HR experience in compensation / total rewards role
- 10+ years of experience in HR leadership roles
- Experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented organization; asset management/wealth management or professional services experience preferred
- Proven track record of leading compensation planning cycles, benefits programs
- Experience leading HRIS implementations and operations functions preferred
Compensation & Benefits Package:
This position comes with a base salary range of $180,000 - $220,000 plus a competitive performance bonus, RRSP contribution and participation in our profit-sharing program. Base salary will be commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications.
At Nicola Wealth, our people grow our business, delight our clients, and live our values every day. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package reflects our appreciation for this commitment. Whether it's participating in our profit sharing and benefit programs on day one, or the opportunity to participate in our share ownership program, our people are able to go beyond a conventional salary and bonus structure. To learn more about our complete package, visit: www.nicolawealth.com/total-rewards.
Please include both a cover letter and resume in support of your application. We are an inclusive, equal opportunity employer. For more information about this and other roles: www.nicolawealth.com/careers*.*
It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. Should you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process please contact us at accessibility@nicolawealth.com and we will work with you to meet your needs. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Nicola Wealth policies.
Thank you for your interest in a career with Nicola Wealth!
About Nicola Wealth
Founded in 1994, Nicola Wealth Management Ltd (Nicola Wealth) has over 30 years of investment management experience and has navigated through numerous market cycles, economic downturns, and geopolitical events. Over that time, we have built a team of investment professionals, managing a broad range of investment solutions which span traditional asset classes, such as Canadian and global equities and fixed income, as well as private asset classes including hard asset real estate, infrastructure, private debt, mortgages, and private equity.
Today, Nicola Wealth is one of the largest independent (non-bank) private investment counselling firms in Canada, with approximately $16.8 billion of assets under management as of Jan 1, 2025.
For more information, please visit www.nicolawealth.com.
Nicola Wealth Management Ltd. (Nicola Wealth) is registered as a Portfolio Manager, Exempt Market Dealer and Investment Fund Manager with the required securities commissions.