VP, HR Business Partners & Employee Relations

The Opportunity

Are you looking for a caring, collaborative, values-driven workplace with inspiring teammates and leaders? Do you have the ambition and desire to be the best and thrive at the most impactful global insurance provider in the world? Look no further than Zurich Canada.   

At Zurich Canada, we are building a high‑performance, future‑ready organization grounded in disciplined execution, strong customer outcomes, and a culture where talent can thrive. Our people strategy is central to this ambition, and we are continuing a multi‑year transformation of how HR partners with the business. 

This newly created role is a cornerstone of that transformation. 

We are seeking a seasoned HR leader to lead and evolve Zurich Canada’s HR Business Partner and Employee Relations function. This newly created role will shape the enterprise direction for HRBP, Employee Relations, HR governance, and Health & Safety, serving as a critical enabler of business performance, workforce risk management, and organizational effectiveness.  

As a core member of the HR leadership team, this leader will partner closely with senior and executive leaders on workforce strategy, employee risk, performance, and organizational health, while building and coaching a high-performing team of HRBP and ER leaders across Canada. 

This is a unique opportunity to build your knowledge and experience for the future in a supportive environment where your voice matters. This posting is for an existing vacancy.  

Zurich Canada uses artificial intelligence–enabled tools to support certain aspects of the recruitment process, including the initial review and screening of applications. Artificial intelligence is not the sole basis for candidate shortlisting or selection. All hiring decisions are reviewed and made by qualified hiring professionals. 

Zurich follows a hybrid work model requiring three days per week of in-person presence, which may include time in the office or market-facing engagements. 

What you will do

Lead Strategy, Operating Model & Performance Enablement 

• Lead the enterprise HR Business Partner and Employee Relations strategy and operating model, integrating workforce insights, organizational effectiveness, performance enablement, and employee relations. 
• Enable strong, consistent execution of Canada’s performance management cycle through HRBPs and ER leaders, including goal quality, calibration rigor, performance risk identification, and application of pay‑for‑performance principles. 

Build & Lead a High‑Impact HRBP & ER Team 

• Lead, coach and develop HR Business Partners, Employee Relations leaders, and the ER & Governance function, including Health & Safety accountability. 
• Set clear expectations, capability standards, and development pathways to strengthen the team’s impact as strategic advisors to the business. 

Executive Partnership & Workforce Risk Leadership 

• Act as a primary advisor to senior and executive leaders on organizational health, performance, workforce decisions, and complex employee and conduct matters. 
• Translate business strategy into actionable HRBP‑led priorities, informed by data, analytics, and workforce risk considerations, in close partnership with HR Centres of Expertise. 

Governance, Risk & Health & Safety 

• Lead enterprise Employee Relations, governance, workforce risk, and Health & Safety with disciplined judgment, consistency, and a prevention‑oriented mindset. 
• Ensure HR policies, practices, and people decisions align with Canadian regulatory requirements and Zurich governance standards.

What you bring to the table

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources, including senior HR leadership roles within complex organizations. 
• Proven experience leading HR teams across HR Business Partnering and Employee Relations at an enterprise level. 
• Deep expertise in Employee Relations, including complex case management, governance, and workforce risk mitigation within a regulated environment. 
• Demonstrated success designing and executing HRBP and ER strategies aligned to business priorities and enterprise transformation. 
• Strong executive presence with experience advising senior leaders on performance, talent, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, and employee risk. 
• Advanced capability in organizational change and transformation, including evolving operating models, roles, and ways of working. 
• High data literacy, with the ability to leverage workforce insights, metrics, and analytics to inform decisions and influence outcomes. 
• Strong people leadership capability, with a track record of coaching and developing senior HR leaders. 
• Solid business acumen, including understanding operational, financial, and risk considerations that shape people decisions. 

Nice to Have:

• Experience in the insurance or broader financial services sector. 
• Bilingual (French/English). 
• Experience leveraging or implementing AI‑enabled, automation, or advanced technology solutions within HR or adjacent business functions, with a demonstrated curiosity for experimentation and technology‑driven ways of working. 
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field. 

Our Culture

• At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging (DIEB). We want you to bring your whole self to work, and we want our employees to be reflective of the communities in which we live and work. Our DIEB initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome.  
• We have a collaborative culture where diversity of thought is valued. We value your input and strive to give our employees the tools they need to make an impact.   
• We care about our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive health/benefits plan with varying levels of coverage to suit your specific needs and a competitive total compensation package.  
• We understand how important it is to rest, recharge and do the things you love. At Zurich, all employees receive a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year to do just that.  
• We also understand that employees require time off for personal reasons. Maybe you have an appointment during a workday, a cultural or religious holiday you would like to observe, or you need time off to focus on your mental health. Zurich employees receive four personal days per year to be used at their discretion.   
• We are committed to continuous improvement and offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.   
• We care about our communities. Our communities are where our customers, people, and shareholders live and work. While we can be proud of the contribution to society Zurich makes through our core business of insurance, we must also give back to our communities through our talent, time and resources.  
• We have won numerous awards for our workplace culture. We are proud to be one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and to have received Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award.     

Make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported. Love what you do. Work for us. 

About Us

Zurich Canada is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, a multi-line insurer with approximately 55,000 employees worldwide serving customers in global and local markets. Zurich Canada has been a leading insurance provider serving mid-sized and large companies, including multinational corporations, in the Canadian commercial market for 100 years. With over 650 employees in offices across the country, Zurich offers the global strength of a top insurance provider combined with in-depth knowledge of industries and local markets. Zurich Canada aspires to be risk management professionals’ first choice as their premier partner to help meet the risk challenges of today and tomorrow. Read more at www.zurichcanada.com.