Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Andrew Paquette

Dynamic Talent Acquisition, Business Development, and HR Leader | Specialist in Recruitment, Contract Negotiation, and Organizational Growth
Montreal,QC

Summary

Dynamic and versatile professional with extensive experience in talent management, business development, and operations across diverse sectors. A proven leader in full-cycle talent acquisition, team management, and business growth strategies, skilled in sourcing top talent, negotiating contracts, and driving organizational success. Expertise in fostering educational partnerships, facilitating professional development programs, and enhancing company visibility. Strong background in HR advisory, policy development, and employee relations, coupled with a deep understanding of financial oversight, customer relations, and social media management. Adept at cross-functional collaboration and delivering exceptional service, with a commitment to continuous personal and professional growth. Always available to chat and ready to contribute to a variety of roles.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages

Work History

Sr. Talent Manager|HR Advisor|Business Development

Squeeze Animation
Montreal, QC
11.2022 - Current
  • Senior Talent Manager: Led recruitment strategies and talent acquisition efforts, sourcing top-tier candidates for diverse animation roles. Developed and implemented talent pipelines, ensuring the alignment of hiring strategies with company growth objectives.
  • Business Development Manager: Identified and pursued new business opportunities, built relationships with key industry partners, and developed strategic initiatives to expand company reach and revenue. Successfully negotiated contracts and agreements that contributed to business growth.
  • School Outreach Manager: Established and nurtured partnerships with educational institutions in the Animation and VFX sectors to create internship and job placement programs. Led career development workshops, attend events and conducted presentations at schools, enhancing the company’s visibility and reputation among students and young professionals within the industry.
  • HR Advisor: Provided HR support to the company, advising on employee relations, policy development, and conflict resolution. Worked closely with senior leadership to ensure compliance with employment laws and fostered a positive organizational culture.
  • Implemented new training programs for staff, leading to higher employee retention rates and better overall performance.
  • Supported candidates requiring immigration assistance by facilitating work permits and permanent residency applications, providing guidance through complex processes to ensure timely approvals.
  • Facilitated workshops for professional development of junior staff members.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time and within budget.

Co-Owner|Operator

CHOC Hockey
Montreal, QC
09.2013 - Current

Company Overview: CHOC or Cooperative of Cosom Hockey of Montreal, offers a high level of play in a friendly atmosphere and relaxed environment. Focusing on community and quality. Working diligently to provide players in the league with the best cosom hockey experience in Montreal.

This league represents the premier Cosom hockey organization in downtown Montreal, boasting an extensive membership of over 800+ players spanning a spectrum of skill levels, from advanced to beginner.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Finance and Accounting: Oversaw budgeting processes and managed collection of team payments to ensure financial accountability.
  • Human Resources: Directed hiring, recruitment, and team management activities to build and sustain effective workforce operations.
  • Social Media Management: Maintained and enhanced the organization's digital presence across platforms, including website, Instagram, and Facebook.
  • Operations Management: Coordinated logistics such as event setup, scheduling, and staff supervision to ensure seamless operational efficiency.
  • Data Management: Established and maintained accurate records and data systems for efficient information access and utilization.
  • League Systems Administration: Ensured proper implementation of league-provided scoring systems, scoresheets, and player rosters.
  • Policy Development: Created, communicated, and enforced league rules and guidelines to promote fairness and compliance.
  • Disciplinary Oversight: Managed disciplinary actions when necessary, fostering accountability and resolution of conflicts.
  • Customer Relationship Management: Prioritized customer satisfaction through effective communication and resolution of concerns.

Website: chochockey.com

Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

DNEG
Montreal, QC
01.2021 - 11.2022
  • Designed and implemented recruitment strategies across DNEG’s divisions, including DNEG Feature Animation, DNEG VFX, Redefine, and Redefine Originals, to attract top-tier talent across executive, supervisory, artistic, production, and global IT roles.
  • Successfully managed full-cycle recruitment for senior-level positions, such as Art Directors, Executive Producers, Producers, Supervisors, and Heads of Departments, as well as artist roles across production pipeline.
  • Led DNEG's Greenlight Program in Montreal, driving student development initiatives and establishing scalable processes in collaboration with training team to support internship programs and entry-level talent integration.
  • Collaborated with division leaders to strategize and expand outreach initiatives, fostering partnerships and enhancing talent pipelines for DNEG Feature Animation and Redefine.
  • Delivered expert guidance to hiring managers on job market trends, candidate evaluations, and competitive salary negotiations, ensuring effective decision-making and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Spearheaded initiatives to strengthen DNEG's presence in talent market, including creation of internship and outreach programs that bolstered talent development and engagement across Montreal and Toronto.
  • Organized successful career fairs and networking events targeting specific industries or skill sets in alignment with company objectives.

Sr. Talent Acquisition Manager|Department Manager

Technicolor Creative Studios
Montreal, QC
05.2018 - 01.2021

Senior Talent Manager | Technicolor Studios (formerly "The Focus")

May 2018 – June 2020

  • Directed talent acquisition initiatives across multiple Technicolor brands, including MPC, Mr. X, and Mill Film.
  • Provided part-time leadership as Department Manager at studio Mill Film, overseeing FX and CFX teams during production of 3 projects.
  • Recruited specialized talent for critical roles such as Compositing, DMP/Matte Painting, Environments, Hard Surface Modeling, Organic Modeling, and IT positions, ensuring high-quality hiring aligned with project needs.

Senior Talent Manager | Mikros Animation (Montreal Studio)
June 2020 – January 2021

  • Managed all aspects of talent acquisition for the Montreal studio, playing a pivotal role in the successful production of the Paw Patrol feature film.
  • Executed full-cycle recruitment across animation and IT teams, ensuring seamless staffing for high-priority projects.

Client Relationship Manager|Recruiter|Consultant

ExperTech Recruiting
Montreal, QC
08.2016 - 05.2018
  • Expertise in recruiting top Information Technology professionals, including Software Developers, Infrastructure & Network Administrators, IT Security Specialists, Web Designers, Database Administrators (DBAs), and Technical Support Analysts.
  • Proven ability to source and identify highly qualified candidates for diverse clients across Canada and the U.S.
  • Experienced in filling permanent, temporary, and consulting positions to meet client needs effectively.
  • Delivered Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) services, streamlining hiring processes and ensuring successful outcomes.
  • Worked as an on-site consultant for various companies in the IT sector, providing tailored recruitment solutions.
  • Skilled in applicant management, conducting interviews, drafting offers, writing job descriptions, and coordinating on-site interviews directly with clients.
  • Specialized proficiency in Taleo and JazzHR applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Business Financial Service Representative

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Montreal, QC
10.2015 - 08.2016
  • Provided professional and accurate support to business-exclusive clients, addressing everyday banking transaction needs.
  • Identified opportunities to offer tailored advice and referred clients to appropriate RBC partners or alternative channels to meet their broader financial goals.
  • Maintained strong focus on personal development, proactively seeking opportunities to enhance skills and expand knowledge.
  • Leveraged expertise in administration, financial advisory, customer relationship management (CRM), and customer satisfaction to deliver exceptional service.

Financial Service Representative

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Montreal, QC
10.2014 - 10.2015
  • Delivered accurate and professional banking services, ensuring client needs were addressed effectively.
  • Recommended additional financial solutions and made referrals to RBC partners to support clients' broader objectives.
  • Demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and development to improve performance and deliver exceptional client satisfaction.

Account Executive

Insight (formerly PCM)
Montreal, QC
12.2013 - 10.2014
  • Managed diverse client portfolios, fostering strong relationships to enhance customer satisfaction and drive business expansion.
  • Spearheaded sales of technology solutions from industry-leading brands, including Apple, Cisco, HP, Microsoft, and Symantec.
  • Delivered customized technology solutions, empowering organizations to optimize efficiency and productivity.
  • Negotiated strategic sales agreements, achieving win-win outcomes and solidifying long-term client partnerships.
  • Cultivated new and existing client relationships, contributing to sustained revenue growth.
  • Provided comprehensive training on product features and updates, ensuring client engagement and successful adoption.
  • Conducted in-depth analysis of customer needs to consistently surpass service quality expectations.

Major Account Analyst & Enterprise Representative

IBM
Montreal, QC
03.2012 - 12.2013
  • Conducted sensitivity analyses to evaluate potential financial risks and gains, proactively managing account fluctuations.
  • Projected working capital requirements to ensure optimal cash flow and financial stability.
  • Prepared and presented detailed monthly reports to senior management, providing insights into key working capital metrics and recommending improvements to collections process.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop quarterly performance reviews, identifying strengths, weaknesses, risks, and growth opportunities to drive business improvements.
  • Maintained accurate records of all financial transactions, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and company policies.

Education

Negotiation Mastery -

Harvard Business School

Bachelor of Arts - Economics

Concordia University
Montreal, QC

DEC - Sports Marketing And Management

Champlain College
Montreal, QC

Skills

Organizational development

Timeline

Sr. Talent Manager|HR Advisor|Business Development

Squeeze Animation
11.2022 - Current

Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

DNEG
01.2021 - 11.2022

Sr. Talent Acquisition Manager|Department Manager

Technicolor Creative Studios
05.2018 - 01.2021

Client Relationship Manager|Recruiter|Consultant

ExperTech Recruiting
08.2016 - 05.2018

Business Financial Service Representative

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
10.2015 - 08.2016

Financial Service Representative

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
10.2014 - 10.2015

Account Executive

Insight (formerly PCM)
12.2013 - 10.2014

Co-Owner|Operator

CHOC Hockey
09.2013 - Current

Major Account Analyst & Enterprise Representative

IBM
03.2012 - 12.2013

Negotiation Mastery -

Harvard Business School

Bachelor of Arts - Economics

Concordia University

DEC - Sports Marketing And Management

Champlain College
Andrew PaquetteDynamic Talent Acquisition, Business Development, and HR Leader | Specialist in Recruitment, Contract Negotiation, and Organizational Growth