Manager, People and Culture Communications
At a glance
Manager-level Communications role at Hdks. Waterloo · full-time · CA$88,000–CA$138,000 base.
growthroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Advise People and Culture on messaging plans for employee programs, policy changes and company-wide transitions
- Run communications for performance reviews, benefits enrollment and compensation cycles, including campaigns that explain employee rewards
- Develop campaigns for wellness, IDEA, recognition and changes to organizational design or HR operations
- Prepare toolkits, briefings and FAQs so people leaders can discuss sensitive HR programs with their teams
- Coach and guide communications staff while contributing directly to planning, writing and campaign delivery
What you bring
- Five to eight years in internal, corporate or HR communications, including coaching communications staff and managing complex programs
- Working knowledge of HR topics such as compensation, benefits, performance management and organizational development
- Skill in turning technical HR material into clear, approachable messages, with sound judgment around confidential information
- Ability to manage overlapping annual programs and long-running campaigns, plus knowledge of accessibility standards such as AODA or an equivalent
Who this fits
This manager role suits an experienced communicator who can lead a small team and still produce communications hands-on. You’ll work with People and Culture leaders on sensitive employee programs and support people leaders with materials for team discussions. The role is based in Waterloo, Canada.
From the employer
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Manager, People & Culture Communications to lead a small team of communication professionals while directly designing and executing communications that drive our employee experience and support a thriving workplace culture. Reporting to the Director, Internal Communications, you will provide strategic counsel to your team, oversee the delivery of key employee-facing communications, and contribute to the development of communication strategies, content, and campaigns. You will translate complex HR policies, Total Rewards programs, and cultural initiatives into engaging, accessible, and human-centric messaging for the enterprise in alignment with our corporate narrative. The ideal candidate is an experienced communications professional and people leader who can balance strategic advisory responsibilities, hands-on execution, and team leadership while ensuring our most critical people-focused programs resonate with our diverse workforce.
What to Expect
- HR Strategic Partnership: Act as the primary communications counsel for the People and Culture team, developing strategic communication plans for all major employee-facing programs, policy updates, and enterprise change management initiatives while providing leadership and oversight for communications execution across the team.
- Annual HR & Total Rewards Cycles: Lead the end-to-end communication strategy for critical annual HR programs, including performance management, benefits enrollment, and compensation cycles. Partner with team members to create engaging educational campaigns that articulate the value of our Total Rewards portfolio.
- Culture & Wellness Programming: Lead and support the development of communication campaigns that support wellness activities, IDEA initiatives, and other employee recognition programs. Support the communications for organizational design changes and HR operating model updates.
- Leader Communication & Enablement: Author, design, and package specialized communication toolkits, briefing documents, and FAQs for people leaders, ensuring they are equipped to confidently discuss sensitive HR programs with their teams.
- People Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop a team of communications professionals, providing direction, mentorship, and performance feedback while fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture. Balance leadership responsibilities with direct contribution to communication planning, content development, and campaign execution to ensure high-quality and timely delivery of People & Culture communications.
What You Bring
- Experience: 5–8 years of experience in internal communications, corporate communications, or HR communications, including experience leading or coaching communications professionals while managing complex communication programs and stakeholder relationships.
- HR Fluency: You have a strong working knowledge of HR concepts, including compensation and benefits (merit, STIP), performance management, and organizational development.
- The Empathetic Translator: You have an exceptional ability to translate complex, technical HR jargon into warm, clear, and human-centric messaging. You have a demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information with the utmost professionalism and risk awareness.
- Campaign & Project Management: You have strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple, overlapping annual cycles and long-term HR campaigns simultaneously.
- Accessibility Advocate: You have a strong understanding of accessibility guidelines (such as AODA or equivalent) and are passionate about ensuring all communications are inclusive.
Salary Range: $88,000-$138,000
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