Senior HR Business Partner

This position is being posted to fill and existing vacancy.

Location: WRHN @ Midtown

Work Type: Full Time

Home to seven regional programs and comprehensive health-care services, Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) is committed to meeting the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. WRHN is redefining the health-care experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered community-driven health care.

At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities.

By listening to patients and partners, we strive to connect communities to the right care, at the right place, and at the right time.

POSITION VACANCY: People(s), Culture and Experience (PCE)

POSITION: Senior HR Business Partner (Senior HRBP)

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday; Days; Hybrid work schedule

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) will partner with specific client sand project teams to provide leadership support and strategic business thinking in all Human Resources related matters. In addition, this role will drive organizational results strategically and intentionally by promoting, implementing and executing HR programs and initiatives. The Senior HRBP is accountable for understanding the needs of each specific client, function and/or unit, and being proactive in identifying, designing and implementing programs, as well as providing HR support that meets each clients’ needs. In this role, the Senior HRBP will engage with subject matter experts / centers of excellence throughout HR and other corporate support areas to provide client(s) with a holistic approach to issue resolution, utilizing an understanding of the client(s) businesses, issues, challenges and related metrics to provide insights. The Senior HRBP is the primary point of contact for the delivery of an effective and efficient continuum of Human Resources services, initiatives and programs. This includes working collaboratively with all levels of leadership, employees and Unions with respect to all HR related aspects of the workforce lifecycle.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Acting as a trusted strategic advisory to assigned client groups and project teams, the Senior HRBP provides strategic people leadership to assigned client portfolios by aligning human capital strategies with organizational priorities and the evolving needs of a complex healthcare environment. This role functions as a trusted advisor to leaders and project teams, offering expert guidance on workforce-related risks, opportunities, and solutions that support operational excellence and the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care.

A core responsibility of the HRBP is to build and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the client groups’ business models, workforce dynamics, and organizational culture. Using this insight, the HRBP proactively assesses trends and challenges, translates business needs into effective people strategies, and supports the design and implementation of initiatives that strengthen organizational capability. These initiatives may include workforce and succession planning, leadership and talent development, performance management, employee engagement, and large-scale change initiatives.

The Senior HRBP serves as the primary relationship lead for Human Resources service delivery, ensuring client groups receive timely, coordinated, and effective HR support across the full employee lifecycle. The role works in close partnership with leaders to foster collaborative engagements while supporting fair, consistent, and compliant people practices.

To deliver integrated and sustainable solutions, the HRBP collaborates with Human Resources Centers of Excellence and corporate partners, drawing on specialized expertise to address complex workforce and organizational issues. Through the use of workforce analytics, operational metrics, and business intelligence, the HRBP provides evidence-based insights and strategic recommendations that enable informed decision-making.

In a rapidly changing healthcare landscape, the Senior HRBP plays a critical role in enabling and sustaining organizational change. This includes advising leaders on change impacts, supporting communication and engagement strategies, and ensuring all people practices align with employment legislation, healthcare regulations, collective agreements, and organizational policies.

In addition, the Senior HRBP supports organizational resilience and continuous improvement by anticipating workforce impacts associated with change, growth, and system transformation. The role advises leaders on change readiness, workforce risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement, while promoting consistent and equitable people practices. Through a strong focus on governance, compliance, and alignment with organizational values, the HRBP helps ensure that people strategies are sustainable, compliant, and responsive to the evolving demands of the healthcare environment.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or related field

• Minimum 10 years HR experience in mid to large sized complex organization.

• Experience providing executive level HR support, leading change, and transformation.

• Strong knowledge of HR best practices, labour laws, and employment legislation.

• Strong ability to negotiate, influence decisions, and leverage data to support E/SLT decision making

• Demonstrated excellent communication, stakeholder management, and interpersonal skills

• Excellent time management skills with ability to manage competing priorities

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree in industrial Relations and HR Management

• CHRP Designation, CHRL Designation

• Post graduate degree

• Prosci Change Management Certification Application Instructions:

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED.

EMPLOYEES OF LEGACY GRAND RIVER HOSPITAL ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION ELECTRONICALLY USING THE INFOR SYSTEM.

Please Note: New employees must provide documentation/proof of COVID-19 vaccination status, a 2-step TB test, as well as proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) prior to their start date at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN). New Employees will require clearance from Employee Health, Safety and Wellness before they are able to begin any position within WRHN. WRHN is committed to fair and equitable employment and in our recruitment and selection practices. We strongly believe in inclusion and diversity within our organization, and welcome all applicants including, but not limited to racialized communities, all religions and ethnicities, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, Indigenous people, and all others who may contribute to the further diversification of our Hospital community. We are committed to providing and fostering a respectful workplace for all employees, free from violence and harassment. Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process in accordance with the Human Rights Code.

WRHN is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to provide an inclusive, barrier free workplace. We will accommodate the accessibility needs of individuals with disabilities to support participation in all aspects of the recruitment process. Should you require this accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

If you are seeking employment on a temporary work or study permit we recommend reviewing work permit restrictions as it applies to healthcare organizations in Canada. Individuals holding a work or study permit seeking employment in the healthcare sector may be required to complete additional steps in the process. This may also apply to current employees seeking renewal of their work permits. It is the accountability of the applicant and/or employee to ensure they are adhering to their specific work permit restrictions.

WRHN does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or make hiring decisions regarding applicants during our recruitment and selection process.