Leah Pollock
Toronto,ON
Summary
High-achieving HR Director adept at driving company growth and productivity by coaching executive leaders and establishing effective, modern policies for the workforce.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Human Resources
Northland Power Inc.
03.2023 - Current
- Strategic HR leader overseeing 250 employees across Canada, USA, Europe, and Asia, providing tailored support to CFO, CLO, CHRO, and SVP of Onshore Renewables
- Spearhead organizational design and workforce planning, directly contributing to a streamlined global payroll budget process and quarterly strategic initiatives
- Cultivate trust with senior business leaders, enabling joint development of performance management frameworks, leadership development programs, and succession plans
- Partner with HR Centers of Excellence (COEs) to deliver talent strategies, employee engagement initiatives, and global compensation reviews
- Manage a team of 2 HR Business Partners, driving leadership development and operational efficiency
Manager, HR Business Partners
Shopify
07.2022 - 03.2023
- Partnered with the Chief Revenue Officer, VP of Marketing, and VP of Operations to strategically align HR initiatives with business goals, supporting a diverse, global team of 250 employees
- Led HR strategy for Shopify’s largest reorganization, impacting 6,000 employees under the new COO, ensuring seamless execution with minimal operational disruption
- Directed the planning and execution of a large-scale workforce reduction, balancing business objectives with empathy, compliance, and employee engagement
- Designed and implemented global talent strategies, driving performance management, compensation planning, retention initiatives, and leadership coaching
- Guided leaders through complex conversations on performance, talent reviews, and global employment law, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing streamlined processes and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Senior HR Business Partner and Operations Discipline Lead
Shopify
07.2020 - 07.2022
- Acted as a strategic HR partner to 2 Vice Presidents, 10 Directors, and250 employees across Product, UX, Operations, and Marketing
- Led a data integrity overhaul of the HRIS system, improving resource planning, compensation decision-making, and internal reporting accuracy, driving strategic workforce management
- Developed and launched a multimedia onboarding program for HR Business Partners, supporting team growth and enhancing cross-functional collaboration with COE teams
- Spearheaded talent reviews, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives, enabling business continuity during rapid organizational scaling
Recruitment Manager (RnD)
Shopify
06.2016 - 08.2020
- Managed R&D recruitment during Shopify’s hyper-growth phase, doubling company size while maintaining a 92% candidate acceptance rate through competitive salary, equity, and wellness packages
- Led a 1-year assignment in Amsterdam, successfully implementing scalable hiring models to support European operations during a period of rapid expansion
- Collaborated with R&D senior leadership to understand hiring needs, address diversity and inclusion gaps, and align recruitment strategies with long-term business goals
- Partnered with global teams to create innovative recruitment processes, ensuring consistency and scalability across geographies
Education
Human Resources Certification - Human Resources Management
George Brown
Toronto, ON01.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Social Anthropology
Dalhousie University
Halifax, NS01.2006
Skills
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Communication
- Global employee relations
- Talent management
- Legal compliance
- Problem-solving
- Flexibility
Timeline
Director of Human Resources
Northland Power Inc.
03.2023 - Current
Manager, HR Business Partners
Shopify
07.2022 - 03.2023
Senior HR Business Partner and Operations Discipline Lead
Shopify
07.2020 - 07.2022
Recruitment Manager (RnD)
Shopify
06.2016 - 08.2020
Human Resources Certification - Human Resources Management
George Brown
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology and Social Anthropology
Dalhousie University
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