Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities’ most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families. 

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, we are hiring a Human Resources Generalist. As our new HR Generalist you will support a broad range of HR programs and employee lifecycle activities within a unionized environment. You will play a key role in recruitment, onboarding, training and development, payroll processing, employee relations, workplace accommodations, disability management, and leave administration. Working closely with employees, managers, and union representatives, you will provide guidance on HR policies and processes, support the resolution of complex employee matters, and contribute to initiatives that enhance the employee experience and support CDI's mission-driven culture.

This existing vacancy is a full-time, hybrid position working on-site at our Euclid location with three days on-site and two days off-site per week.

What's in it for you 

Meaningful impact. The work of CDI is made possible by the people who deliver programs and services to children, youth, and families every day. You will play an important role in supporting those employees throughout their journey with the organization. From recruitment and onboarding to employee relations, accommodations, and disability management, your work will help create an environment where employees can do their best work in support of our mission.

Variety and exposure. This is a broad generalist role with opportunities to contribute across multiple areas of Human Resources. You will gain experience supporting recruitment, payroll, employee relations, labour relations, workplace accommodations, leaves of absence, policy interpretation, performance management, and training initiatives. No two days will look the same, providing ongoing opportunities to learn, grow, and expand your HR expertise.

Collaboration and growth. You will work closely with leaders across the organization and partner with an experienced HR team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared learning. You will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, improve processes, and build your knowledge of HR practices within a unionized, mission-driven environment while developing the skills and experience needed to advance your career.

As our new HR Generalist, you will:

• Support recruitment and onboarding. You will support recruitment activities, including participating in interviews, preparing offers, coordinating onboarding activities, and helping to create a positive candidate and new employee experience. You will ensure hiring processes are delivered consistently and in alignment with organizational standards and best practices.
• Provide payroll and benefits support. You will support bi-weekly payroll activities by preparing and validating payroll inputs, including new hires, terminations, leaves, salary changes, and benefit deductions. You will help ensure payroll information is accurate, complete, and submitted on time while responding to employee inquiries and resolving discrepancies with care, confidentiality, and attention to detail.
• Support employee and labour relations. You will partner with employees, managers, and union representatives to support disability claims, return-to-work plans, workplace accommodations, and injury or illness reporting. You will provide guidance on the interpretation and application of organizational policies, collective agreements, employment legislation, and HR programs, helping leaders navigate employee matters with confidence and consistency.
• Partner with leaders and the HR team. You will work closely with managers to address performance concerns, support improvement planning, and identify learning and development opportunities. You will collaborate with the broader HR team to deliver practical, people-focused solutions that support employees and organizational objectives.
• Deliver responsive HR operations. You will manage employee inquiries, maintain accurate employee records, prepare HR documentation, and generate reports that support decision-making. You will ensure HR processes are delivered efficiently, accurately, and with a strong commitment to service.
• Contribute to continuous improvement. You will support the development, implementation, and adoption of HR policies, programs, and processes. You will identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and service delivery while helping the HR team evolve its practices to meet the changing needs of the organization.

What you bring 

• The experience. You have experience working across multiple HR functions, including employee relations, recruitment, disability management, workplace accommodations, payroll support, and HR administration. You have a solid understanding of provincial employment legislation, human rights codes, and occupational health and safety requirements, and you are comfortable interpreting and applying collective agreements. Experience working in a unionized environment is strongly preferred. You can manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism, and you approach complex and emotionally charged situations with patience, sound judgment, and diplomacy.
• The relationship-building skills. You have exceptional verbal and written communication skills and can adapt your approach to meet the needs of employees, managers, and other stakeholders. You build trust quickly, establish credibility through your actions, and collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels. You are comfortable navigating difficult conversations and bring a respectful, inclusive, and service-oriented approach to your work.
• The organizational skills. You are detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. You can balance day-to-day operational responsibilities while responding to emerging employee needs and time-sensitive matters. You identify opportunities for improvement, recommend practical solutions, and help implement processes that enhance efficiency and consistency.
• The technical skills. You are proficient with the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and have experience working with an HRIS. Experience with Dayforce would be considered an asset.
• The commitment to people and purpose. You are motivated by work that makes a difference. You value Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) and are committed to creating equitable and inclusive employee experiences. You understand the important role HR plays in supporting the people who deliver critical services to children, youth, and families, and you approach your work with empathy, respect, and a strong sense of accountability.

Other requirements

All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check and references.

Compensation: At Child Development Institute (CDI), we believe that compensation should be transparent, fair, and supportive of your experience and growth. For this role, the annualized salary is $66,742 - $72,188. Salary is determined by the complexity of the position and internal equity, ensuring a fair and competitive salary within our sector.

We believe in transparency and open conversations about compensation. If you have any questions about our approach, we are happy to discuss them throughout the hiring process.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

Flexible hours in a planned program environment.

A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Ongoing paid professional development opportunities and certifications. 

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
• A second-round in-person interview with the Director of Human Resources and the Chief Operating Officer. This conversation will explore your experience supporting employees and leaders in a unionized environment, your approach to employee and labour relations, disability management and workplace accommodations, and your ability to balance multiple priorities while delivering responsive, people-focused HR support.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at [email protected]. 

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