HR, Culture, and Leadership Advisor - IO ScaleUp (Independent Contractor)

Invest Ottawa is seeking an experienced senior HR executive to support high-growth technology companies in the IO ScaleUp program. 

The HR, Culture, and Leadership Advisor will serve as a trusted advisor to senior HR leaders, founders, and executive teams as they navigate the people, leadership, and organizational challenges that come with rapid growth.

This is a strategic advisory role, not an outsourced HR delivery role. Our Advisors help clients diagnose challenges, evaluate options, build leadership capability, and determine the right path forward. 

Our Companies 

IO ScaleUp companies are scaling their teams, revenue and markets. They generally have at least 20 full-time employees, annual recurring revenues ranging from $2 million to $100 million, and at least 20% year-over-year growth in revenue or employees. They also typically have a dedicated HR team led by a senior HR leader.

Our clients are navigating challenges such as organizational design and workforce planning, leadership development, talent and compensation, performance and culture, organizational restructuring, workforce reductions, leadership transitions, and other periods of significant change.

They are looking for an experienced advisor who can quickly diagnose challenges, bring practical perspective from similar situations, challenge their thinking, and help them make better people and organizational decisions. 

Time Commitment and Compensation 

Our Advisors are independent contractors, often with their own consulting or advisory practices.

For this role, we anticipate approximately 20–25 hours per month, based on client demand. Hours will fluctuate and are not guaranteed. Advisors are paid a standard rate of $150/hour for direct client-facing time and indirect time supporting client engagements and program activities. 

What You’ll Do 

Reporting to Invest Ottawa’s Director, Venture Programs, the HR, Culture, and Leadership Advisor will: 

• Provide one-on-one strategic advisory and coaching to HR leaders, founders, and executive teams. 

• Quickly diagnose people, leadership, culture, and organizational challenges and provide practical, actionable guidance. 

• Facilitate two monthly peer groups: one for HR Leaders and one for Emerging HR Leaders. 

• Design and deliver workshops for founders and teams on building and scaling high-performing teams, leadership, and culture. 

• Identify client feedback, trends, and emerging needs to help inform Invest Ottawa programs and services. 

• Facilitate valuable connections between client companies and, where appropriate, Invest Ottawa sponsors, partners, and ecosystem resources. 

• Document advisory meetings and client progress in Microsoft Dynamics and accurately track hours. 

What You’ll Bring 

We’d love to hear from you if you: 

• Have held senior HR/People leadership roles, at the VP level or above, within high-growth technology companies. 

• Understand the startup and scale-up lifecycle and have experience helping technology companies navigate periods of rapid growth and change. 

• Have experience as a trusted advisor, coach, or mentor to senior leaders. 

• Bring broad HR expertise, with depth across areas such as organizational design, leadership development, talent, compensation, performance, culture, and change management. 

• Can quickly assess complex challenges and provide practical and timely guidance. 

• Stay current on evolving HR practices and technologies, including practical applications of AI and emerging tools within the people function. 

• Bring strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships while constructively challenging leaders. 

• Are an exceptional listener, communicator, coach, and facilitator. 

• Are proficient with collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. 

• Are based in the Ottawa region and able to attend in-person client meetings and program activities as needed. 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion   

At Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards, we know that diversity, equity, inclusion and creating an environment of belonging are critical success factors for globally competitive organizations and are to drive sustainable wealth creation and prosperity across our region. We strive to create inclusive systems and cultures and infuse diversity into our programs, operations and governance. As an equal opportunity employer that doesn’t simply accept difference but celebrates, support and thrives because of it, we invite all qualified candidates to apply and especially encourage applications from those who identify as members of underrepresented groups. 

Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards are determined to provide a barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodation during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact hr@investottawa.ca to request specialized accommodation. Do know, all information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Join us in driving Ottawa’s leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.