Director, Talent Acquisition (12-14 month contract) at eqbank

Join a Challenger Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing, so we challenge ourselves to get creative in providing innovative banking solutions for Canadians. How do we get there? With a talented team of inquisitive and agile challengers that break through the status quo. So, if you’re passionate about redefining the future of banking—while having fun—this could be your next big opportunity. Our company continues to grow, and today we serve more than 800,000 customers across Canada through Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank™, and have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, Concentra Bank, supports credit unions across Canada that serve more than six million members. Together we have over $142 billion in combined assets under management and administration, with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Our customers have named our EQ Bank digital platform (eqbank.ca) one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021.  Purpose of the Job  The Director, Talent Acquisition is a senior leadership role responsible for building a modern, integrated talent acquisition ecosystem that supports EQB’s growth strategy, acquisitions integration, and long‑term workforce sustainability.  This role goes beyond external hiring. It is accountable for end‑to‑end talent movement, external recruitment, internal mobility, career pathing, and succession‑ready pipelines, ensuring the right talent is in the right roles at the right time.  As EQB continues to scale through acquisitions and transformation, this leader will design and execute enterprise TA strategies that enable seamless integration, transparent career pathways, and equitable access to opportunity across the organization.  Main Activities: Enterprise Talent Acquisition Strategy • Own and execute the enterprise‑wide Talent Acquisition strategy, aligned to business growth, acquisitions integration, and workforce planning. • Evolve TA from a delivery function to a strategic advisory partner to business and HR leadership. • Translate business and integration roadmaps into forward‑looking talent plans and hiring strategies. TA Capability & Competency Alignment • Define and operationalize TA competencies aligned to: • • Workforce planning • Strategic sourcing • Assessment & selection • Inclusive hiring practices • Talent advisory and influence • Build TA capability to support future‑state hiring, not just current demand. • Ensure TA practices are aligned with broader HR competencies and leadership expectations. Team Leadership & Operating Model • Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing TA team with clear accountability and career progression. • Evolve the TA operating model to balance: • • Centralized strategy and standards • Flexible, business‑aligned delivery • Foster a culture of curiosity, continuous improvement, and data‑driven decision‑making. Employer Brand & Talent Market Positioning • Strengthen EQB’s employer value proposition in a competitive financial services and fintech market. • Partner with Marketing and Communications to ensure a compelling, authentic, and inclusive talent brand. • Position EQB’s as an employer of choice for both external candidates and internal talent. Governance, Data & Insight • Establish clear governance for hiring, mobility, and vendor usage. • Use data and insights to: • • Monitor hiring and mobility outcomes • Identify risks and opportunities • Inform leadership decision‑making Ensure compliance with employment legislation and internal risk standards. Acquisitions Integration Enablement • Lead TA integration efforts for acquired businesses, including: • Harmonizing hiring practices, assessment standards, and employer brand • Supporting role clarity, career mapping, and talent stabilization • Ensuring a consistent and equitable candidate and employee experience • Act as a key people partner during post‑acquisition transitions. What Success Looks Like: • Internal mobility is visible, trusted, and actively used across the organization • Acquisitions are supported by clear talent integration and career pathways • Leaders view TA as a strategic partner, not a transactional service • TA capabilities and competencies are aligned to future workforce needs • Time‑to‑fill, quality‑of‑hire, and engagement outcomes improve sustainably Knowledge/Skill Requirements: • 10+ years of recruiting experience; a mix of corporate and agency with a focus on talent, workforce planning and recruiting • Must have previous high volume and corporate recruitment experience • 5+ years in a team leadership role • Banking and Technology recruitment experience • Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or a related field • Must demonstrate education around unconscious bias, reconciliation work, intercultural competence, accessibility and accommodation awareness • Ability to understand a wide range of technical roles • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately • Ability to lead and manage special projects • Exemplary interviewing and investigative skills • Clear understanding of the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle processes • Adept in Boolean Search • Experienced in using applicant-tracking systems (ATS). Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) • In-depth experience conducting research, and sourcing candidates through social media (LinkedIn) • Ability to clearly communicate technical, analytical/quantitative or conceptual information and ideas • Experience in building and maintaining relationships with business units, partners, third party vendors • Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills • Strong interpersonal skills, high energy, proactive and self-motivated • Experience working in high-volume, fast-paced environments • Experience coaching recruiters and managers re unbiased interview processes • Abreast with the Canada Labour Code and all Canadian employment regulations in relation to recruitment • Able to quickly respond to changes in priorities What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]   💰 Competitive discretionary bonus  ✨ Market leading RRSP match program 🩺  Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits 📝  Employee Share Purchase Plan 👶🏽 Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one 🏝 Generous vacation policy and personal days  🖥  Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues 🎓  Professional development and comprehensive Career Development program 💛  A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from Equitable Bank’s additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street, Toronto, ON.    Equitable Bank is deeply committed to inclusion. Our organization is stronger and our employees thrive when we honour and celebrate everyone’s diverse experiences and perspectives. In tandem with that commitment, we support and encourage our staff to grow not just in their career path, but personally as well.  We commit to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment for all applicants. Please let us know of any accommodations needed so that you can bring your best self to the application process and beyond. All candidates considered for hire must successfully pass a criminal background check and credit check to qualify for hire. While we appreciate your interest in applying, an Equitable recruiter will only contact leading candidates whose skills and qualifications closely match the requirements of the position.   We can’t wait to get to know you!