The Opportunity:

As the Director of Talent Development & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), you will play a pivotal role in shaping our organization's culture and future. Reporting to the Vice President, Talent, you’ll lead a dynamic team responsible for driving our Learning strategy, DEI initiatives, and Talent Programs, including Leadership Development and Early Careers.

In this strategic role, you will ensure that our DEI and talent development efforts are interconnected, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse talent can grow and succeed. Your innovative approach will help us build impactful talent and learning programs that align with our Leadership Values,, the Maple Leaf Blueprint, and our business objectives.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by April 24. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Coaching and Mentoring: Lead, coach, and develop the Talent Development team, fostering collaboration across learning, leadership, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute an enterprise-wide talent development strategy, ensuring alignment across HR and functional teams.
• Program Oversight: Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of formal learning and development programs, DEI initiatives, Leadership Development, and Early Career programs, and Development Action Plans (DAPs).
• HR Collaboration: Partner with HR Managers and business leaders to align talent development initiatives with organizational needs.
• Design L&D Programs at Scale: Ensure scalability and impact of learning, leadership, and DEI programs by leveraging technology, data, and best practices.
• Learning Needs Analysis: Conduct thorough learning needs analyses to identify skill gaps and development opportunities across the organization.
• Curriculum Development: Design and develop engaging and effective training programs that cater to various learning styles and needs. Drive adoption and engagement with learning platforms and resources, ensuring accessibility for all team members.
• Facilitation: Facilitate leadership development sessions, workshops, and seminars to elevate organizational, leadership, and functional competencies.
• Learning Technology Integration: Leverage innovative learning technologies and platforms to enhance program delivery and accessibility.
• Performance Metrics: Establish and track key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness and impact of talent development programs, including learning, leadership, and DEI.
• Continuous Improvement: Implement feedback mechanisms to continuously improve learning and development initiatives.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration through formal and informal learning networks.
• Collaboration: Work closely with HR Managers, business leaders, and external partners to create and sustain high-quality, inclusive programs.
• Innovation: Stay ahead of industry trends and best practices to continuously improve our programs and initiatives.
• DEI Programs and Initiatives: Lead the strategy and implementation of programs and initiatives that further our DEI efforts, focusing on education, awareness, and process improvement.
• DEI People Management: Manage and coach a Manager of DEI, ensuring achievement of key deliverables and team objectives.
• Facilitation: Deliver training programs to support building awareness and developing individual change commitment.
• Engagement & Communications: Support the production of internal DEI communication campaigns and materials, contributing to the employee education strategy.
• Metrics, Reporting, and Analysis: Prepare DEI reports, identify key insights and trends, and make recommendations to inform program development.

What You’ll Bring:

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to develop and communicate a clear, compelling vision for talent development and DEI.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic and analytical skills to drive initiatives that align with business objectives.
• Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build strong relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Innovation: A creative mindset to develop and implement innovative programs and solutions.
• Program Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects and programs, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
• Coaching and Development: Passion for coaching and developing others, with a focus on building a diverse and inclusive talent development function.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with a positive and resilient approach.
• Blueprint Alignment: Experience in aligning talent development strategies with organizational goals, such as those outlined in the Maple Leaf Blueprint, to drive shared value for stakeholders.
• Succession Planning: Proven success in executing succession planning strategies to ensure a strong pipeline of future leaders.
• Career Development: Ability to establish progressive career management strategies and systems that foster internal mobility and effective career development.
• Commitment to DEI: Deep understanding and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
• DEI Facilitation: Strong presentation skills to facilitate DEI training in small and large groups, virtually or in person.
• Employee Resource Group (ERG) Partnerships: Experience collaborating with and advocating for ERG integration into talent and business strategies.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to engage with diverse cultural groups and across various organizational levels.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written communication skills, including superior writing, proofreading, and communication planning.
• Project Management: Experience managing DEI-related initiatives and programs, ensuring effective project execution.

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• A hybrid work model that embraces remote work for eligible roles, helping team members achieve work-life balance—combining the best of both spending time working remotely, benefitting from focus time, and purposeful collaboration in the office setting. 
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

We’re a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.

Disclaimer:  Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board.  Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.

#LI-Hybrid