Director, Integrated Talent Management

Job Summary 

The Director of Integrated Talent Management is responsible for leading the foundational talent components, including performance management, succession planning, talent review, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies to align talent strategies, programs, and initiatives with the overall Human Resources (HR) strategy and organizational goals. The role engages with Business HR to continuously gather inputs and refine talent strategies, while working closely with Centers of Expertise (CoEs) to align individual talent programs (e.g., learning interventions and leadership development initiatives) with the integrated talent strategy and programs (e.g., culture, total rewards elements). 

Main Responsibilities 

Succession Planning

Lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive talent review and succession planning framework to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and leadership needs 

Provide strategic insights and data-driven analysis on succession planning to senior leadership, the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and the Board, facilitating informed decision-making on talent development and leadership continuity 

Lead talent calibration sessions for senior leadership (Grade 5 and above), ensuring consistent evaluation and alignment of top talent against future organizational requirements 

Oversee the comprehensive succession plans, identifying critical talent gaps, designing targeted mitigation strategies, and tracking readiness Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure leadership pipeline strength 

Partner with HR leadership teams to provide expert coaching and guidance on the effective roll-out of succession initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and leadership expectations 

Evolve the Success Profiles for key roles, ensuring the criteria remain dynamic, relevant, and reflective of evolving business needs 

Oversee the design and implement career paths for key roles within the organization, fostering long-term career growth and retention while aligning with organizational succession priorities 

Align with Business HR on workforce planning to proactively build a talent pipeline and design tailored workforce strategies 

Drive the design of tools and processes to support effective and efficient talent acquisition 

Be accountable for integrating talent acquisition strategies with succession planning to identify and prepare internal candidates for future leadership roles 

Maintain clear and proactive communication with leadership and stakeholders regarding the progress, impact, and needs of talent acquisition strategy 

Performance and Talent Management

Drive the analysis and optimization efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of talent management processes, ensuring that all talent management activities provide measurable benefits 

Guide the design of performance management strategy, tools, and processes to support effective performance management in order to enhance the skills of managers and supervisors in performance management 

Ensure that all talent management strategies and programs contribute to a positive and engaging employee experience 

Play a key role in CoE day to ensure integration of talent strategies across business lines and between HR functional groups 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and Leadership

Oversee the development of a comprehensive DEI strategy ensuring it is integrated into all aspects of talent management and organizational practices 

Ensure leadership buy-in for DEI priorities and provide guidance to Business HR on driving them 

Provide oversight and governance of Employee Resource Groups to ensure alignment with DEI strategy 

Lead the Inclusion Council, driving its agenda and initiatives, and advocate for policies and practices that support DEI 

Oversee the implementation of DEI initiatives and events 

Track and report on DEI progress to HR Leadership regularly 

Set the strategic direction and objectives of the DEI, Talent Acquisition Strategy, and Integrated Talent Management teams, aligning them with broader CN HR strategy and vision 

Team

Manage and mentor direct reports including day-to-day people management responsibilities, and ensure the team collaborates effectively and maintains superior performance and results 

Provide strategic guidance on addressing and resolving any issues or challenges that may impact the effectiveness of talent management efforts 

Lead the deployment strategies and timelines for talent solutions, programs, or policies designed by the CoE 

Be accountable for ensuring processes, tools, and knowledge articles are up to date 

Oversee and ensure the resolution of complex cases escalated from People Services 

Working Conditions 

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure, and stress.  

Requirements 

Experience 

Human Resources Talent Management  

Minimum 15 years of experience in Talent Management  

Proven track record of implementing integrated talent management solutions, driving cultural change  

Experience in metrics-driven environments and methods used to set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)  

Demonstrated track record of building high-performing teams  

Experience partnering effectively with multiple stakeholders  

Education/Certification/Designation 

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Organizational Psychology, or equivalent  

Member of a Professional Order such as Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP)*  

*Any designation for these above would be considered as an asset 

Competencies  

Knows the business and stays current on industry needs 

Demonstrates agility and drives change 

Collaborates with others and shares information 

Promotes diversity and equity 

Sets direction and inspires others 

Communicates with impact 

Demonstrates active listening 

Identifies needs and finds solutions to create value for all stakeholders 

Technical Skills/Knowledge 

Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) 

Fluently bilingual, both written and verbal (English, French) 

About CN  

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.