Talent Development Specialist (AKA Mycelium Maestro)

Location: Vancouver, Canada (hybrid)

Position Type: Full-time

Reports to: People & Culture Director

Start Date: ASAP
Compensation: CAD $ 98,000 - 144,000

Application Deadline: April 24, 2026

Accountability Statement 

The Talent Development Specialist is accountable for the operational integrity of Canopy’s people systems, ensuring that HR operations, compliance, employee relations, and administrative processes run reliably, equitably, and in alignment with our values. Success is measured by the accuracy of our systems, the responsiveness of Canopal support, and the trust that managers and Canopals place in the role as a steady, consistent partner. 

Key Responsibilities 

HR Operations and Compliance 

Serve as the system steward for Canopy’s HR infrastructure, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and legal compliance. 

Own the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and efficient workflows. 

Administer benefits, time off, and payroll coordination with the FUNCounting team, serving as the primary point of contact for Canopal inquiries on these topics. 

Coordinate with the HR Compliance Specialist in maintaining and updating  Canopal handbooks, policies, and procedures; ensure compliance with federal, provincial/state, and local employment laws. 

Manage documentation for the full Canopal lifecycle, including contracts, promotions, terminations, and visa administration. 

Canopal Relations and Manager Support 

Provide responsive, empathetic support to Canopals and managers, helping to resolve issues before they escalate. 

Serve as one of the first points of contact for Canopal relations matters, including conflict resolution, interpersonal challenges, and workplace concerns. 

Partner with managers to navigate performance conversations, documentation, and corrective action processes. 

Conduct workplace investigations as needed, ensuring fairness, discretion, and thorough documentation. 

Advise managers on people-related decisions, from accommodations to terminations, balancing empathy with organizational risk. 

Talent Acquisition Support and Onboarding 

Partner with the other Talent Development Specialist to ensure hiring and onboarding processes are executed seamlessly. 

Manage the operational aspects of recruitment, including scheduling interviews, conducting screening calls, coordinating assessments, and issuing offer letters. 

Lead the execution of new hire onboarding, ensuring all systems access, equipment, and paperwork are completed before day one. 

Collaborate on workforce planning by maintaining accurate headcount tracking and requisition approvals. 

Performance Management and Process Execution 

Partner with the other Talent Development Specialist to execute the cyclical people processes that support Canopals’ growth and accountability. 

Manage the logistics of the performance review cycle, including system setup, timeline coordination, and manager training support. 

Support the administration of promotion processes and compensation reviews, ensuring accuracy in documentation and approvals. 

Maintain consistency in how performance and behavior are documented across the organization. 

Culture & Engagement Support 

Support the Culture & Engagement function by ensuring that culture initiatives have operational infrastructure to succeed. 

Partner on the administration of engagement surveys, pulse checks, and feedback tools. 

Provide logistical and operational support for culture-building initiatives, team events, and learning sessions. 

Contribute a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) lens to operational processes, ensuring that systems, forms, and procedures are accessible, equitable, and free from unnecessary barriers. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Experience:
3–5 years of experience in a Human Resources Generalist, People Operations, or Business Partner role. Experience in a non-profit, mission-driven, or startup environment is a strong asset. 

HR Expertise: Solid understanding of full-cycle recruitment, employee relations, employment law, and benefits administration. Experience with HRIS systems is required. 

Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, from compliance filings to culture programs. 

Data-Informed: Ability to work with qualitative and quantitative data to inform decisions and tell the story behind the metrics. 

Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, discretion, and emotional intelligence. Ability to communicate thoughtfully and proactively with stakeholders at all levels. 

JEDI Lens: Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion with a track record of applying these principles to HR processes. 

Mindset: A "Yes AND..." approach; collaborative, adaptable, and proactive working style. 

Drive and passion for playing an integral role in an innovative, solutions-focused forest conservation organization! 

How to Apply 

Please submit your cover letter and resume through our application portal. 

Cover Letter Instructions 

Please address the two questions below in your cover letter. 

Format: Keep your total response to one page or less. You may use brief headings to separate your answers - this helps us easily find the information we're looking for. 

A note on AI use: We prefer cover letters written in your authentic voice. AI-generated submissions make it difficult for us to assess genuine fit. We're far more interested in your perspective, your examples, and your way of explaining things. Write as yourself. We're excited to hear your story, in your words. 

Questions: 

Operations, Recruitment, and HRIS Experience

This role serves as the mycelium maestro for our people operations - ensuring accuracy, compliance, and reliability across HR systems, recruitment, benefits and compensation, and the full Canopal lifecycle. Describe a time you inherited or managed a messy process in one of these areas: recruitment operations, HRIS platform management, or benefits/compensation administration. What was broken, how did you diagnose the root cause, and what steps did you take to bring it to a state of order? Please name the systems or platforms you worked with (e.g., HRIS, ATS, benefits platforms) and speak to how you leveraged them to create a sustainable solution. 

Why Canopy?

Canopy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to forest conservation, working with a mission-driven, solutions-focused approach to prorect the ancient and endangered Forests. What draws you to Canopy specifically, and how does our mission align with your own values or career aspirations?