Director, People & Culture
At a glance
Director-level HR Business Partner & Generalist role at ysm. Toronto · full-time · CA$110,000 base.
hrroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Set the People and Culture department’s yearly plan and budget, then lead delivery across its responsibilities
- Improve policies, systems and programs for hiring, retention, staff development, wellness and safety
- Advise leaders on complex employee relations, performance, culture and organizational change
- Put compensation, talent and learning strategies into practice, and establish outcome reporting
- Lead and coach the People and Culture team while embedding the organization’s Christian identity in its work
What you bring
- Post-secondary education and at least ten years of relevant experience
- Advanced HR expertise across multiple disciplines and strong knowledge of Ontario employment law
- You bring sound judgment, discretion and analytical skill when handling sensitive, complex or changing situations
- You can build trust and coach leaders, communicate sensitive matters clearly, and balance competing priorities
Who this fits
This director role suits an experienced HR leader who can guide a team and advise across the organization. You’ll need a personal commitment to the organization’s Christian principles, along with an understanding of Christian theology, cultural competence and DEI. The position is based in Toronto and offers flexible hybrid arrangements.
From the employer
Yonge Street Mission (YSM) is a vibrant, non-profit Christian organization leading a collective movement to end chronic poverty in Toronto.
Since 1896, we’ve worked to transform the lives of people living with poverty, going beyond immediate needs by offering wrap-around support via holistic programs and services, and a pathway which enables street-involved youth, families in need, adults experiencing poverty and vulnerable communities to move from surviving to thriving.
To make this happen, we are passionate about investing in the people we work with, and look for a diverse range of staff who are key for us to advance our mission: Christians who have a heart for neighbours in need, a desire to transform the lives of our community members, and who believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect.
If you are inspired by our vision and feel a true call to contribute to YSM’s work, we’d love to hear from you.
What We Offer:
As a staff member at YSM, some of the things you can look forward to include a values-based and highly collaborative and engaging work environment with a high value on staff’s mental health and well-being; meaningful, innovative and impactful work, with opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children, families, and the community, as well as flexible hybrid work arrangements. Our competitive Total Rewards compensation package also includes Group RRSP matching, annual leave and paid personal days, comprehensive health and dental care coverage, an Employee and Family Assistance Program that includes counselling services by Christian professionals, and numerous other perks.
The Opportunity:
We are seeking a Director of People & Culture to provide operational leadership, planning and execution for Yonge Street Mission’s (YSM) People and Culture department through its functional areas of accountability, including:
- Recruitment and Onboarding
- Total Rewards – Compensation, Benefits and Perks
- Performance Management
- Training and Development
- People Care and Work Culture – Employee Health & Wellness, Employee Relations and Engagement
- Policies and procedures, including regulatory compliance
- HR Communication, Human Capital Management Systems and Metrics
- Safety and Risk Management including Privacy
- Succession Planning
- Organizational Development and Change Management
Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the successful candidate will serve as the organization’s primary Human Resources subject matter expert in the development, operational planning and execution of P&C strategy to deliver innovative, values-centered and DEI-principled solutions.
Responsibilities:
- Develop, implement and oversee YSM’s annual operational plan and budget for P&C
- Initiate, develop and continue to improve policies, systems, programs, and processes that support talent attraction and retention, staff development, people-focused leadership, staff wellness and safety
- Provide organizational guidance and direction on HR matters, including escalated complex or high-risk employee relations matters, the cultivation of a positive culture, support people leadership skills, performance management, the annual budget, and change management to advance YSM’s ministry
- Drive effective HR strategy implementation for compensation, talent management, and learning and development
- Support the development of an internal understanding of people care issues and emerging trends to maximize positive impact on staff well-being and productivity
- Implement outcome measurement and reporting processes, policies and practices to maximize operational efficiency and stewardship of resources
- Facilitate and build relationships with a breadth of other organizations, (including other Christian organizations and non-profits in the social services sector) to enhance YSM’s capability to attract and retain high-quality Christian staff
- Develop and sustain YSM branding as an employer of choice and a great place to work for Christian professionals
- Provide leadership and direction to develop, coach and mentor the P&C team
- Ensure that the unique Christian ethos and identity of YSM is maintained and embodied in and throughout P&C operations, including staff training and embedded cultural practices
Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education combined with 10+ years of relevant experience; CHRL / CHRE designation strongly preferred
- Advanced or expert-level HR knowledge across a broad range of related disciplines
- Strong working knowledge of the Employment Standards Act, the Ontario Human Rights Act and other employment legislation
- Excellent strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to exercise sound professional judgement, problem-solving, discretion and timely decision-making across complex, sensitive, and / or changing needs and situations
- Exemplary relationship-building skills to build trust, challenge, coach and influence constructively as a credible HR advisor across YSM
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly, directly and with appropriate discretion and compassion
- Ability to balance multiple priorities and organizational needs while ensuring legal compliance and effective risk management
- Effective self-awareness and self-management with a high level of adaptability
- Strong professional ethics and a solid understanding of Christian theology, cultural competence and DEI principles
- Demonstrated personal commitment to YSM’s principles of faith, mission and values
Compensation: YSM offers market competitive rates and will pay a starting salary of $110,000 for this role, combined with a comprehensive suite of benefits and perks.
Deadline for Application: Available until filled
While we appreciate all responses, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.
YSM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Please note that this position is for an existing vacancy, and YSM does not use any form of artificial intelligence (AI) at any stage of the recruitment process. These stages include candidate screening and shortlisting, assessment and selection.
Learn more about YSM at www.ysm.ca
Date Posted: October 16, 2026