Position Summary

The Manager, Talent (HRBP) plays a key role in providing strategic HR leadership and hands-on operational support across the organization. Reporting to the Senior Director, Talent Management, this role partners closely with business leaders to support the full employee lifecycle—driving initiatives in talent management, employee relations, learning and development, compensation, performance, and HR systems. This individual is also a key owner of select Workday processes, ensuring accurate data, optimized workflows, and consistent system use across the organization.

We are looking for a proactive, business-minded HR professional who combines big-picture thinking with executional excellence to help shape a high-performing, people-focused organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership:

• Partner with business leaders to align HR strategies with organizational goals and culture.
• Lead regular touchpoints with business units to share insights, align on people initiatives, and influence strategic priorities.
• Use Workday-generated data to create dashboards, analyze workforce trends, and craft executive-ready presentations that drive strategic action.

Workday System Ownership and Processing:

• Serve as a key stakeholder for Workday, owning specific modules and workflows such as onboarding, job changes, leaves, talent reviews, performance cycles, and compensation processing.
• Support Workday configuration reviews, data accuracy audits, and process improvements in partnership with HR Operations and IT.
• Train and guide managers on Workday functionality and best practices to promote adoption and consistency.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on Workday releases and enhancements, ensuring the platform meets evolving business needs.

Talent Management & Development:

• Drive organization-wide talent initiatives including succession planning, leadership development, and talent reviews—leveraging Workday tools to manage and track progress.
• Act as a coach and advisor to leaders and employees on career development and growth.
• Identify future talent needs using people analytics, and design proactive development programs.

Learning and Development:

• Support delivery of learning programs in partnership with internal L&D teams or external vendors.
• Use Learning modulee to track completion and engagement, and report on training ROI.

Compensation & Performance:

• Support annual Workday-driven compensation and performance cycles, including goal setting, reviews, and merit planning.
• Partner with Compensation on salary benchmarking, equity assessments, and incentive strategies.
• Provide strategic guidance to leaders on performance improvement, terminations, and corrective action plans.

Employee Relations & Compliance:

• Provide expert advice and support on complex employee relations matters, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance.
• Maintain current knowledge of employment legislation across key regions (e.g., Ontario, Quebec, BC), applying it appropriately to policy and practice.
• Document and manage ER cases within Workday or other case tracking systems.

Team Leadership & Project Ownership:

• May lead or mentor HR Generalists or Talent Operations team members.
• Act as HR project lead on organizational initiatives including policy updates, DEI strategies, and change management programs.
• Represent the organization in employer branding and recruitment initiatives.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources Management or a related field.
• 6+ years of progressive HR experience in a generalist or HRBP capacity.
• Demonstrated experience managing and optimizing Workday HR processes (HRIS certification or strong hands-on experience preferred).
• Solid understanding of Canadian employment law; multi-province experience is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and HR analytics tools.
• CHRP or CHRL designation is an asset.
• Bilingual is an asset.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to execute and manage complex initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into stories and insights.
• A collaborative and empathetic approach to people challenges.
• High integrity and sound judgment in managing confidential matters.
• Passion for systems, process, and continuous improvement.

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). IPG Mediabrands manages over $47 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients across its best-in-class brands UM, Initiative, Media Experts, Reprise, MAGNA, Orion, Mediabrands Content Studio, and the IPG Media Lab. IPG Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors including automotive, personal finance, consumer packaged goods (CPG), pharma, health and wellness, entertainment, financial services, energy, toys and gaming, direct to consumer and e-commerce, retail, hospitality, food and beverage, fashion and beauty. The company employs more than 18,000 diverse marketing communications professionals in more than 130 countries. Learn more at www.ipgmediabrands.ca and follow us on LinkedIn: Mediabrands Canada and Instagram: @MediabrandsCanada.

What's in it for you?

• Generous paid time off with a minimum of 37 paid days off including vacation and monthly wellness days. We also have four-day long weekends, half-day summer Fridays, and meeting-free Friday afternoons year-round.

• A flexible hybrid work model that works for you.

• A focus on personal development with formal training opportunities, including mental health training and inclusion education for everyone.

• A chance to be part of and grow within a global network of agencies.

• The opportunity to contribute to our company culture by joining one of our many community-based employee groups, such as Black Employee Network, Girls on Fire, Hispanic or Latinx Alliance, Neuro Network, Pan-Asian Network, and Rainbow Lounge.

IPG Mediabrands is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, provincial, or municipal law. If you require an accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please reach out to canadatalent@mbww.com