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 theIO 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, anddeterminethe right path forward.

Our Companies

IO ScaleUp companies
arescaling their teams,revenueand markets. Theygenerally haveat 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. Theyalsotypically 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 Advisorsare independent contractors,oftenwith their own consulting or advisory practices.

For this role, weanticipate
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/hourfor direct client-facing time andindirect time supporting client engagements and program activities.

WhatYou’llDo

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’dlove 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 helpingtechnology companiesnavigate 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 practicaland timelyguidance.

• Stay current on evolving HR practices and technologies, including practical applications ofAI 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 arerequiredto drive sustainable wealth creation and prosperity across our region. We strive to create inclusive systems and cultures and infuse diversity into our programs,operationsand governance. As an equal opportunity employer thatdoesn’tsimply 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 [email protected]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.