Job Description
About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs.
MaRS supports promising high-growth companies to scale their businesses globally, while tackling key societal challenges in areas such as Health, Cleantech, Finance, Transportation, AI, and others. In addition to helping start-ups launch, grow and scale, the MaRS community is dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration, commercialization of discoveries, and driving ideas to impact.
MaRS is the place where you can play a meaningful role in our innovation economy.
We understand qualifications on a job posting can be daunting. If you're passionate about the role and believe you can make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you, even if you don't meet every listed qualification. We’re always looking for great talent to join our team on planet MaRS.
We actively encourage all candidates, including equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and ****** orientations.
We want you to be comfortable being your most authentic self throughout our recruitment process. Please reach out to careers@marsdd.com if there’s anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.
About the Position
The Director of People and Culture reports to the CEO and works with senior leaders and their teams to enable their business strategy in ways that align with MaRS values and mission. This role leads a team that delivers operational excellence, cultivates exceptional employee experiences, and delivers innovative programs.
Key Responsibilities
Business Partner
Works alongside senior leadership to understand their business strategy, identify the people implications and enable business outcomes by:
Designing effective organization structures with clear roles and responsibilities, and ensuring competitive, equitable compensation practices
Leading workforce planning to manage headcount, talent acquisition, turnover and ongoing organizational development
Managing employee relations and supporting leaders on performance management in ways that align with the MaRS values
Trusted advisor to leaders to support and elevate their leadership capability
Collaborating with other corporate functions to remove barriers and accelerate decisions
People Programs & Initiatives
Oversee the team responsible for the design, development and implementation of innovative people programs that promote the MaRS values including:
Performance Management – Goal setting, Performance Check-ins, Year End Reflection
Total Rewards – base pay, variable pay, benefits programs, wellbeing
Employee Experience – flexible workplace practices, productivity
Employee Engagement survey and action planning
Succession planning - leadership and critical roles
Career Development - Learning & Leadership Development
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging
Other organizational design and development initiatives, as needed
People Operations
Leads the team who manages the day to day operations including: Payroll, Benefits administration, HRIS and analytics with a constant focus on automation and process simplification
Ensures legislative compliance with progressive policies
Oversees relationship management and is the escalation point for several vendors and contract negotiations (e.g. BambooHR, Pivotal Payroll. Canada Life, League, Telus Health, RBC)
Team Management
Leads a team of three
Manages departmental budget
Defines the team’s strategy, objectives and key results and coaches for performance
Coaches team members to learn, grow and develop their careers
A mentor to many across the organization at all levels to facilitate career development and growth
Talent Ecosystem
The successful candidate may have the opportunity to:
Activate connections for MaRS with the broader ecosystem to bring best practices forward to drive innovation and help ventures and partners grow, scale and thrive
Contribute to articles and media content
Participate on panels and public speaking engagements, as appropriate
Serve as an advisor to select high potential companies on talent-related topics
Qualifications
Undergraduate degree, or equivalent work experience
Master’s degree – MIRHR, MBA, etc., nice to have
Coaching designation, an asset
CHRP, an asset
10 years working in People and Culture with deep domain knowledge in employee relations, talent management, compensation, benefits, talent acquisition, performance management, engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion,
3+ years leading a team
Experience working at a technology start-up or early growth company, an asset
Experience working at a not-for profit or charitable organization, an asset
Employee Relations
Strong consulting, advisory and influencing skills
Relationship Management
Payroll process oversight and compliance
Strategy design, change enablement and communications
Conflict Management facilitation
Data-based decision-making and talent analytics
Strong knowledge in Ontario compliance and legislation (e.g. Employment Standards, Occupational Health and Safety, AODA, etc.)
Coaching skills
Financial acumen
HR Systems management and implementation
Applications will close at 5pm EDT on July 11, 2026.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada and reside in Ontario.
Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000, up to a 15% discretionary incentive, extended healthcare benefits, lifestyle spending account, GRRSP matching, and paid time-off.
#LI-MDD
MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs.
MaRS supports promising high-growth companies to scale their businesses globally, while tackling key societal challenges in areas such as Health, Cleantech, Finance, Transportation, AI, and others. In addition to helping start-ups launch, grow and scale, the MaRS community is dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration, commercialization of discoveries, and driving ideas to impact.
MaRS is the place where you can play a meaningful role in our innovation economy.
We understand qualifications on a job posting can be daunting. If you're passionate about the role and believe you can make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you, even if you don't meet every listed qualification. We’re always looking for great talent to join our team on planet MaRS.
We actively encourage all candidates, including equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and ****** orientations.
We want you to be comfortable being your most authentic self throughout our recruitment process. Please reach out to careers@marsdd.com if there’s anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.
About the Position
The Director of People and Culture reports to the CEO and works with senior leaders and their teams to enable their business strategy in ways that align with MaRS values and mission. This role leads a team that delivers operational excellence, cultivates exceptional employee experiences, and delivers innovative programs.
Key Responsibilities
Business Partner
Works alongside senior leadership to understand their business strategy, identify the people implications and enable business outcomes by:
Designing effective organization structures with clear roles and responsibilities, and ensuring competitive, equitable compensation practices
Leading workforce planning to manage headcount, talent acquisition, turnover and ongoing organizational development
Managing employee relations and supporting leaders on performance management in ways that align with the MaRS values
Trusted advisor to leaders to support and elevate their leadership capability
Collaborating with other corporate functions to remove barriers and accelerate decisions
People Programs & Initiatives
Oversee the team responsible for the design, development and implementation of innovative people programs that promote the MaRS values including:
Performance Management – Goal setting, Performance Check-ins, Year End Reflection
Total Rewards – base pay, variable pay, benefits programs, wellbeing
Employee Experience – flexible workplace practices, productivity
Employee Engagement survey and action planning
Succession planning - leadership and critical roles
Career Development - Learning & Leadership Development
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging
Other organizational design and development initiatives, as needed
People Operations
Leads the team who manages the day to day operations including: Payroll, Benefits administration, HRIS and analytics with a constant focus on automation and process simplification
Ensures legislative compliance with progressive policies
Oversees relationship management and is the escalation point for several vendors and contract negotiations (e.g. BambooHR, Pivotal Payroll. Canada Life, League, Telus Health, RBC)
Team Management
Leads a team of three
Manages departmental budget
Defines the team’s strategy, objectives and key results and coaches for performance
Coaches team members to learn, grow and develop their careers
A mentor to many across the organization at all levels to facilitate career development and growth
Talent Ecosystem
The successful candidate may have the opportunity to:
Activate connections for MaRS with the broader ecosystem to bring best practices forward to drive innovation and help ventures and partners grow, scale and thrive
Contribute to articles and media content
Participate on panels and public speaking engagements, as appropriate
Serve as an advisor to select high potential companies on talent-related topics
Qualifications
Undergraduate degree, or equivalent work experience
Master’s degree – MIRHR, MBA, etc., nice to have
Coaching designation, an asset
CHRP, an asset
10 years working in People and Culture with deep domain knowledge in employee relations, talent management, compensation, benefits, talent acquisition, performance management, engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion,
3+ years leading a team
Experience working at a technology start-up or early growth company, an asset
Experience working at a not-for profit or charitable organization, an asset
Employee Relations
Strong consulting, advisory and influencing skills
Relationship Management
Payroll process oversight and compliance
Strategy design, change enablement and communications
Conflict Management facilitation
Data-based decision-making and talent analytics
Strong knowledge in Ontario compliance and legislation (e.g. Employment Standards, Occupational Health and Safety, AODA, etc.)
Coaching skills
Financial acumen
HR Systems management and implementation
Applications will close at 5pm EDT on July 11, 2026.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada and reside in Ontario.
Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000, up to a 15% discretionary incentive, extended healthcare benefits, lifestyle spending account, GRRSP matching, and paid time-off.
#LI-MDD
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Director, People & Culture position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in Toronto offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.
