Job Description
Some of what you will do:
The Sr. Director, Learning & Talent is a strategic leader responsible for shaping and elevating the associate experience at Staples. Reporting directly to the CHRO, this role drives the vision and execution of enterprise-wide talent strategies that attract, develop, and retain top talent. By leading the Learning & Talent centre of excellence, this individual ensures that Staples fosters a high-performing, inclusive culture through innovative approaches to talent acquisition, employer branding, learning and development, leadership growth, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. This leader drives innovation and forward looking thinking regarding talent needs and assessment, and the tools and skills needed as an organization.
This leader will champion learning as a key driver of business performance—from onboarding to leadership development—ensuring every associate is equipped to thrive and continue to develop in a rapidly changing environment. They will leverage people analytics to inform forward-looking talent strategies and partner closely with HR and senior business leaders to build strong, diverse leadership pipelines and a culture of belonging. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Sr. Director will guide a high-impact team and serve as a trusted advisor on all matters related to learning, talent and organizational development.
Specifically, You Will
Talent Acquisition
- Develop and lead Staples’ enterprise-wide talent acquisition strategy aligned with business goals and future workforce needs.
- Leverage deep knowledge of the Canadian talent landscape and labour market trends to recommend innovative, inclusive attraction strategies.
- Partner with senior leaders to identify and address immediate and long-term talent needs across all functions.
- Strengthen and promote Staples’ employer brand to attract diverse, high-caliber talent.
Learning & Development
- Lead the creation of Staples’ learning strategy that optimizes new and best in class strategies to ensure associates at all levels receive learning relevant to current and future roles
- Bring cutting edge insights and learning to the ongoing development of associates at all levels
- Oversee the design of scalable and impactful learning programs that enable associates to excel in their current roles and prepare for future growth.
Organizational & Leadership Development
- Define and execute Staples’ talent management strategy to continue to build a high-performance culture, including succession planning, competency development, and performance management.
- Design and deliver leadership development programs that build capability at all levels of the organization, tailored to the needs of the different business units.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Lead the development of an integrated DEI strategy, roadmap, and implementation plan. Embed DEI principles across the associate lifecycle and ensure they are reflected in Staples’ culture, values, and leadership behaviors
- Use diversity analytics and benchmarking to track progress, identify gaps, and inform data-driven DEI strategies.
Some Of What You Need
- University Degree or Post-Secondary Education in Adult Education, Organizational Development, HR, Business, or a closely related field such as Change Management or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- 15+ years of progressive and innovative experience within HR leadership experience, with deep expertise in Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Organizational and Leadership Development and DEI.
- 10+ years experience leading teams.
- Retail and supply chain background is considered an asset.
- Bilingualism considered an asset.
- Proven strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
- Strong consultative orientation with a demonstrated ability to influence without authority and build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization.
- Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills—both written and verbal—with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and compelling manner.
- Skilled in group facilitation, negotiation, and persuasion, with a talent for fostering collaboration and alignment.
- Deep understanding of organizational culture, values, and performance drivers, including emerging trends and best practices in talent and leadership development.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions under pressure, often with incomplete information and tight deadlines.
- High level of business acumen with the ability to align talent strategies to organizational goals.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proactive, results-driven mindset and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Experience coaching for performance and fostering a culture of self-development and growth.
- Effective at planning, organizing, and prioritizing work to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiar with talent modules within Human Capital Management systems (e.g., Oracle HCM).
Some Of What You Will Get
- Associate discount
- Health and Dental benefits
- RRSP/DPSP
- Performance bonuses
- Learning & Development programs
- And more...
About Us
Staples Canada is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and we encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities.
About The Team
About the Team
At Staples Canada we are dynamic, inspiring partners to our customers and the communities in which we live. As The Working and Learning Company, we inspire people to work smarter, learn more and grow every day. We’re looking for curious, approachable, and passionate individuals who love finding solutions. If that’s you, let’s work, learn, and grow together.
We are building an inclusive and diverse team
Staples Canada is continuously working towards creating an inclusive and diverse work environment. We welcome, value and thrive on perspectives and contributions from backgrounds that vary by race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion or physical ability. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
