Jessica McAulay
Ottawa,ON
Summary
Senior HR professional with proven track record in driving organizational success through strategic human capital management. Skilled in talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management with strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Adept at navigating dynamic environments and fostering culture of continuous improvement. Known for reliability, adaptability, and results-driven approach.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Lee Valley Tools
11.2024 - Current
- Led recruitment, performance management, health & safety, and mediation for 800+ employees across departments.
- Streamlined talent acquisition from job posting to onboarding, enhancing the candidate experience.
- Developed and facilitated leadership and employee development programs to support career progression.
French Immersion
Career Break
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Relocated for immersive French-language experience; achieved fluency.
- Held seasonal roles in customer service and team supervision, maintaining leadership skills during career pause.
Small Business Owner
Blue Peaches Furniture
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Founded and managed profitable startup focused on upcycling antique furniture.
- Oversaw all business functions including marketing, sales, and accounting until COVID-19 closure.
Senior Human Resources Manager
Macadamian Technologies
01.2016
- Oversaw HR functions for 250 employees across four countries, reporting to VP of Marketing.
- Managed 7-person team covering recruiting, HR generalists and facilities
- Managed day to day HR functions such as benefits, compensation and design, training and development, labor relations, evaluations and performance
- Created compensation and recruitment plans to attract and retain high performers.
- Led collective bargaining of 20+ staff with compensation negotiations.
Human Resources Manager
Solacom Technologies
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Built HR department from the ground up for 100 employees across 9 divisions.
- Designed and rolled out a comprehensive Employee Manual, outlining corporate policies, procedures, and guidelines for both Canadian and US operations.
- Initiated and instituted a wide variety of innovative programs covering employees relations, performance management, and succession planning to drive organizational performance.
- Established and proactively managed the corporate compensation program and revamped the benefits plan, resulting in a 8% cost savings on annual premiums.
- Rolled out a proactive health and safety programs, providing a safe environment for employees.
- Designed and rolled out a comprehensive on-boarding process, responsible for full life-cycle of recruitment resulting in a 0% turnover rate of employees staffed, and all received above average evaluations.
- Initiated and instituted annual strategic HR plans that drove organizational performance and increased employee retention and satisfaction.
- Conducted a collective dismissal of 15 employees, compliant with the Quebec Labour Laws which resulted in no reported grievances.
Human Resources Planning Officer (AS-04)
Industry Canada – Government of Canada
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Reporting to the Director General, overall responsibility for overseeing all HR functions, 3 divisions, 100 employees in the Federal Government. Accountable for strategic planning and roll out of recruitment, classification, organizational design, labor relations and training and development.
Human Resources Generalist (AS-03)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Government of Canada
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Responsible for creation and development of new consular brand of 150 employees. Effectively designed the organizational structure, prepared job descriptions and staffed positions. Project was successfully initiated, rolled out and completed.
Human Resources Coordinator (AS-01)
Canada. Government of Canada
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Responsible for all staffing actions for 5 departments and ensured compliance with legislation policies and procedures.
Recruitment Specialist
Kelly Services
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Responsible for all staffing actions for 5 departments and ensured compliance with legislation policies and procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Human Resource Management
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON01.2006
Skills
- Organizational Development
- Performance Management
- Employee Relations
- Health & Safety
- Policies & Programs
- Succession Planning
- Compensation & Benefits
- Legislative Compliance
- Recruitment & Selection
- Training & Development
- Labor Relations
- Downsizing & Restructuring
- Succession planning
- Building morale
- HR policies and procedures
- HR analytics
Personal Information
Title: Human Resources Professional
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Professional Working
Timeline
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Lee Valley Tools
11.2024 - Current
French Immersion
Career Break
01.2021 - 01.2024
Small Business Owner
Blue Peaches Furniture
01.2017 - 01.2021
Senior Human Resources Manager
Macadamian Technologies
01.2016
Human Resources Manager
Solacom Technologies
01.2013 - 01.2015
Human Resources Planning Officer (AS-04)
Industry Canada – Government of Canada
01.2009 - 01.2013
Human Resources Generalist (AS-03)
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Government of Canada
01.2008 - 01.2009
Human Resources Coordinator (AS-01)
Canada. Government of Canada
01.2008 - 01.2009
Recruitment Specialist
Kelly Services
01.2006 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Commerce - Human Resource Management
University of Guelph