Senior Human Resources Advisor, Portfolio Companies

Engagement: Contract or part-time

Location: Southwestern Ontario, hybrid

We are seeking a seasoned, hands-on HR professional to lead and oversee human resources functions across a diverse group of portfolio companies on a contract or part-time basis. With 15 or more years in HR, including senior roles in entrepreneurial, owner-managed, or small and mid-sized businesses, you will act as the group's senior HR advisor. You will drive talent acquisition strategies, build practical performance management frameworks, and implement key initiatives for talent retention, compensation management, and career development.

This engagement is well suited to an independent consultant, a fractional HR leader, or a senior professional seeking a flexible, reduced schedule. The workload is program-driven and varies through the year. It spans HR program development, compensation analysis, performance management, policy development, and executive recruitment across the portfolio. Periodic travel to portfolio company locations is required.

The right person does the work personally. Our companies run lean, without large HR departments, specialist teams, or enterprise HR systems, and they need programs that are practical and proportionate to their size.

Job ResponsibilitiesTalent Acquisition and Recruitment

• Lead end-to-end recruitment for executive-level roles and highly specialized positions as searches arise across the group, ensuring the portfolio attracts top-tier talent.

• Develop and maintain talent acquisition strategies and candidate pipelines so searches can be launched quickly and executed well.

• Collaborate with senior leaders to forecast talent needs, and maintain relationships with external recruitment agencies and talent pools.

Executive Performance Management

• Design and implement practical, right-sized performance management systems to evaluate and enhance the performance of senior executives and key leaders across the group.

• Collaborate with the executive team to set performance expectations, goals, and KPIs aligned with organizational objectives.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to portfolio company HR leads in executing performance management programs.

Talent Retention and Career Development

• Establish career tracking systems for high-potential employees, aligned with long-term organizational goals.

• Work with senior leadership on development plans that support succession planning and the future leadership pipeline.

Compensation Analysis and Benefits Management

• Conduct periodic compensation analysis and market benchmarking across the group to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.

• Develop and implement compensation review processes, incentive programs, and benefits strategies.

• Collaborate with finance and senior leadership to optimize the group's overall compensation strategy.

Corporate HR Policy and Program Development

• Lead the development and standardization of corporate HR policies across the group, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with organizational culture.

• Design and roll out HR programs, such as onboarding, training, and engagement initiatives, scaled to the size and stage of each company.

• Implement best practices in HR compliance, keeping the group current with labor laws and industry standards.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management

• Guide and mentor HR leads across the group of companies to drive operational excellence.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, senior executives, and portfolio company leadership teams on all HR-related matters.

HR Analytics and Reporting

• Track KPIs, retention metrics, and employee satisfaction using simple, fit-for-purpose HR analytics.

• Provide regular reports to the CEO and executive team on HR performance, talent acquisition efforts, and engagement trends.

Key Qualifications

•    Experience: 15 or more years in human resources and talent acquisition, including significant time as the senior HR lead or head of function, with a focus on specialized hiring, executive performance management, and talent retention.

•    Operating Environment: Career built primarily in entrepreneurial, owner-managed, or small and mid-sized companies, where the HR lead designs and delivers programs personally with limited support infrastructure.

•    Independent Practice: Experience working as a consultant, fractional HR leader, or part-time senior advisor is a strong asset. You manage your own workload and need little direction.

•    Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead and align HR functions across multiple companies or divisions, connecting HR initiatives to business objectives.

•    Executive Experience: Demonstrated experience in executive-level hiring, performance management, and succession planning.

•    Policy and Program Development: Strong background in creating and implementing standardized HR policies and programs across multiple entities, without overbuilding process.

•    Compensation Expertise: In-depth knowledge of compensation analysis, benefit structures, and market benchmarking.

•    Adaptability: Comfort with a varied, program-driven workload where priorities shift between projects, searches, and cycles throughout the year.

•    Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work closely with owners, C-suite executives, and portfolio company HR leads.

•    Location and Travel: Based in Southwestern Ontario, with flexibility for virtual and in-person arrangements and periodic travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Senior HR designations such as CHRL, CHRE, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent are a plus.

• Experience managing HR functions across diverse industries or in a multi-company environment is highly desirable.

What We Offer

• Competitive contract rate or part-time compensation, commensurate with experience.

• Contract or part-time engagement with flexible hours and a hybrid working environment.

• Engagement structure open to discussion, including a fixed-term contract, a monthly retainer, or a part-time schedule.

• Exceptional variety across companies, industries, and types of HR work.

• Direct working relationship with the CEO and senior leadership.

• Opportunity to shape and drive HR strategy across a growing portfolio of companies.

About the Group

Ekagrata is a globally established principal investment and private holding company, founded in 2008 with an entrepreneurial drive to build sustainable, long-term businesses. The group invests and operates across diverse industries, including food and agriculture, e-commerce and logistics, energy, and infrastructure. Learn more at ekagrata.com.

How to Apply

• Submit a resume and a brief cover letter detailing your relevant experience, your preferred engagement structure, and your availability.