Manager, HR Programs

At Nelson, we’ve been shaping the future of education for children and youth across Canada for over 110 years. As the country’s largest K-12 education content provider, we remain dedicated to our legacy of looking forward, paving the way in creating boundless, accessible, and engaging learning experiences for all. 

Our innovative solutions, including Edwin, our digital learning platform, provide curriculum-aligned content that support diverse learning styles while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. We listen intently to the unique needs of educators, students, and administrators everywhere, and continuously evolve what we do and build to improve their lives daily. 

When we’re searching for individuals to join our team, we look for bold, innovative team players with a passion for education and making a positive difference in our communities. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you! Apply to join our team today. Let’s Create Possible, one learner at a time.

About the Role

The Manager, Human Resources (HR) Programs plays a key role in supporting Nelson’s People and Engagement (P&E) initiatives by managing and delivering HR programs that enhance employee engagement and strengthen the employee lifecycle.

Reporting to the VP, People and Employee Experience, this role supports the implementation and continuous improvement of P&E programs across talent management, onboarding, employee experience, and learning and development. The Manager partners with leaders and P&E team members to ensure programs are executed effectively and align with organizational priorities.

This role helps ensure that P&E processes run smoothly, supports data-driven decision making, and contributes to initiatives that enable Nelson to attract, develop, and retain top talent while fostering a positive and high-performing workplace culture. This role represents an existing vacancy.

Key Accountabilities

HR Programs & Operations

• Manage the delivery and continuous improvement of HR programs and processes across the employee lifecycle.
• Assist in maintaining HR policies, procedures, and program documentation to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Identify opportunities to streamline HR processes through technology, automation, and improved workflows.
• Collaborate with HR and IT teams to support HR systems administration, troubleshoot issues, and implement system enhancements.
• Assist with HR reporting and data tracking to support program effectiveness and workforce insights.

 
Talent Management

• Manage the full-cycle recruitment process for assigned roles, including sourcing, screening, coordinating interviews, and supporting hiring managers through the recruitment process.
• Partner with leaders to support effective hiring practices and workforce planning, ensuring hiring decisions align with team needs and organizational priorities.
• Oversee and continuously improve onboarding programs to ensure new employees have a smooth, engaging start and are set up for early success.
• Support the delivery of broader talent management programs, including performance management cycles, goal setting, and talent development initiatives.
• Provide guidance to managers on employee lifecycle matters such as onboarding, performance conversations, and development planning.
• Track key talent metrics (e.g., hiring effectiveness, onboarding outcomes, performance trends) and contribute to improvements across recruitment, onboarding, and talent programs.
  

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Support the delivery of employee engagement initiatives and programs that foster a positive workplace culture.
• Help manage key employee lifecycle touchpoints including onboarding, internal transitions, and exit processes.
• Coordinate employee feedback initiatives such as engagement surveys and help track progress on action plans.
• Contribute to initiatives that support an inclusive and supportive workplace environment.
• Assist in promoting programs that support employee wellbeing, connection, and professional growth.
• Support Equity, Diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives by helping integrate inclusive practices across HR programs, policies, and employee lifecycle processes.
  

Learning & Development

• Coordinate learning and development programs that support employee and leadership development.
• Assist in identifying training needs and support the development and delivery of targeted learning initiatives.
• Support onboarding and continuous learning programs to ensure employees have the tools and resources needed to succeed.
• Track participation and gather feedback to help evaluate program effectiveness.
• Stay informed on learning and development best practices and contribute ideas to enhance programs.

HR Data, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate HR data and assist with preparing reports related to recruitment, engagement, and workforce trends.
• Support compliance with employment legislation and internal HR policies.
• Assist in maintaining documentation and reporting processes that support HR audits and compliance requirements.
• Use HR data to help identify trends and opportunities to improve HR programs.
  

HR Projects & Initiatives

• Support the implementation of HR initiatives and special projects such as program enhancements, process improvements, or system implementations.
• Collaborate with HR team members and internal partners to ensure initiatives are delivered effectively.
• Contribute to ongoing improvements that strengthen HR programs and employee experience.

Requirements

• 4+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally in a generalist or HR program coordination role.
• Experience managing HR programs such as recruitment, onboarding, engagement, or learning and development.
• Working knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Experience working with HR systems (HRIS, ATS, LMS) and HR data reporting.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on process improvement and program delivery.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• HR designation (e.g., CHRP or working toward certification) considered an asset.

Benefits

Compensation
The base salary range for this position starts at $85,000 per annum based on experience. Compensation is part of our broader Total Rewards package, which includes benefits and programs that support employee well-being and growth.

What We Offer
At Nelson, we believe in taking care of our people.

Your well-being, growth, and work-life balance matter to us, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you—professionally and personally.

Health & Wellness

• Flexible and customizable health, dental, and paramedical plans for employees and their families
• Health Spending Account (HSA) for medical, hospital, or dental costs not covered by insurance
• Personal Spending Account (PSA) for wellness expenses, including fitness and health related products
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing confidential support spanning from mental health services to financial counselling, and many things in-between
  

Financial & Professional Wellbeing

• Pension plan with company matching contributions
• Registered Retirement Pension Plan to help secure your future
• Annual educational reimbursement for professional development
• Access to LinkedIn Learning for continuous skill growth

Flexibility & Time Off

• Hybrid work model with remote and in-office options
• Flexible work hours (divisional dependent)
• Generous paid time off policies, including vacation time, sick leave, parental leave top-up, personal days, and more
• Annual paid volunteer day to support causes you care about
• Holiday closure from Christmas to New Year’s
• Summer Fridays

Don’t have 100% of the above qualifications? Do you still think Nelson is a great fit for you? We encourage you to apply anyway!  

Our EDI Statement
Nelson teaches the world by learning from everyone in it. 

We are committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace environment. This is an integral part of our company’s culture and mission that aligns with our four key pillars of Employee Diversity, Developing Authentic and Accurate Content, Amplifying External Voices, and Supporting the Local Community and Beyond.

We believe in the power of education and our ability to impact social change.  Truth, honesty, integrity, and respect guide our decisions and actions in the development of learning solutions that empower success for all educators and learners. 

We value a respectful, inclusive, and safe workplace that nurtures belonging and represents many different cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and opinions.  Everyone is free to be who they are. 

We foster and continue to build relationships that are equitable, diverse, and inclusive with existing and future partners in education.

We commit to holding ourselves accountable by creating measurable short and long-term goals that place equity, diversity, and inclusion at the core of what we do in our resources, the workplace, the educational community, and in the larger society. 

We strive to build an inclusive world for everyone.  We are stronger together.

AI and Automated Hiring Tools
Nelson uses AI support tools in our applicant tracking system to help with tasks such as summarizing points and anonymizing applications. All candidate screening, assessments, and hiring decisions are done by people.

Interview Outcome Notification
Nelson is committed to keeping candidates informed. All candidates who attend an interview for a publicly advertised role will be notified of the outcome of their candidacy.  Candidates will be notified of the hiring decision no later than 45 days after the last interview.

Our Commitment

Nelson is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to Inclusion, Equity and Diversity. As part of this commitment, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, gender, gender identity, colour, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or disability status. 

Should you require any accommodation during our recruitment and selection process, please reach out to peopleandengagement@nelson.com.