Manager, Talent Advisory (12-Month Opportunity)

Dentons is designed to be different. Our Firm leads the way in a rapidly changing legal marketplace. We challenge the status quo and deliver consistent results as well as uncompromising quality and value to our clients. Our global presence is renowned as a firm with over 21,000 individuals in more than 200 offices serving clients across 80+ countries.

Dentons Canada is committed to its people and communities. We are consistently recognized as an employer of choice having received numerous awards including being selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers (2026), Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025), and Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025).

This role is an opportunity for you to join Canada's Global Law Firm, a firm that offers opportunities to build your career while growing your skills and deepening your expertise.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager, Talent Advisory is a key member of the national Talent team, reporting to the Canada Director, Talent Advisory, with a dotted-line relationship to the Office Managing Partner in Calgary. As an employee relations (ER) subject matter expert, this role provides strategic HR consultation and guidance to Dentons’ Calgary office.

Working closely with the Canada Director, Talent Advisory, the Manager supports and drives national talent initiatives while partnering with Talent colleagues across Canada and the Talent Centers of Excellence to deliver business-focused solutions. A trusted advisor and true business partner, the Manager collaborates closely with the Calgary office management and leadership teams.

Key responsibilities include employee relations, policy interpretation and implementation, talent planning and recruitment, change and performance management, leaves and absences, learning and development, engagement initiatives, and compensation support.

This position is a 12-month contract opportunity; a hybrid working schedule requiring 3 days in our downtown Calgary office per week.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees HR operations and processes for the Calgary office; expected to provide expertise into recruitment activities, accountable for retention initiatives; adheres to and ensures compliance with established policies, practices and relevant legislation;
• Manages one direct report (Talent Coordinator); share knowledge and best practices; provides direct report with coaching and guidance on a broad spectrum of HR matters including employee relations; responsible for the ongoing guidance and development of direct report;
• Provides advice, guidance and/or coaching on employee relations and sensitive HR matters; advises and assists managers on the interpretation and administration of policies, programs and best practices;
• In alignment with the Director of Talent, Alberta and the Office Managing Partner, the Manager, Talent Advisory supports efforts to drive positive engagement; identifies key trends and issues, and makes recommendations for changes, enhancements, and solutions; leads the planning and organization of local office events that promote employee engagement and office culture;
• Cultivates positive working relationships with all Dentons members; builds trust and credibility to create a safe, supportive and open environment;
• Drives the annual performance management and compensation review process for Legal Support, Office Services, Paraprofessionals and Business Services with support from the Talent Centers of Excellence; provides guidance to people managers on compensation recommendations; reviews salary and bonus recommendations to ensure fair and equitable approach;
• Oversee voluntary and involuntary departures including coaching managers with respect to appropriate departure plans and with guidance from in-house counsel as appropriate; ensures standardized processes are followed;
• Remains current in market trends, legislation and best practices; recommends new approaches to HR practices to keep the organization current in its approach to managing talent;
• Adheres to budget guidelines; participate in the annual budgeting process by contributing input on local requirements;
• Actively participates in local industry and HR associations; and
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Business, Human Resources or related field; HR designation is an asset;
• Five plus (5+) years of progressive Human Resources experience in a generalist or advisor role; preferably in a law firm, corporate, or professional services environment;
• Previous experience working with an HRIS, preferably SAP SuccessFactors;
• Knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint);
• Proven track record of leading through change and adversity; must be flexible and capable of providing leadership in a fast-paced, ever changing environment;
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal;
• Must work effectively, independently and to contribute within a highly collaborative, virtual team environment;
• Expected to be a participative leader; sense of urgency and service orientation are essential along with experience in managing change;
• Strong team player, able to build effective relationships with key internal clients, as well as with Talent colleagues; and
• Demonstrated commitment to privacy and ethical conduct; exercises good judgement; seasoned interpersonal skills with a high level of tact and discretion, sound judgment and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This role is a coverage opportunity.

The target salary range for this position is $100,000 – $120,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications. Dentons is committed to equitable and competitive compensation. This target range falls within our internal salary ranges, which are based on comparable roles in the external market.  We strive to hire, promote, and transfer individuals at the entry point of the range, with consideration given to prior experience, relevant skills, and market conditions.

We recognize that rewarding exceptional talent goes beyond salary. Our comprehensive total rewards package includes inclusive and flexible benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. This includes extended health and mental health benefits, paid time off, retirement savings plans, a fitness subsidy, parental leave top-up, and more.

In addition, our learning and development programs—such as mentorship opportunities, employee networks, and leadership development initiatives—are designed to support personal and professional growth.

At Dentons, all candidate screening, assessment, and hiring decisions are made by people. From time to time, we use AI-enabled tools to assist in enhancing our recruitment process and materials; however, these tools do not screen candidates or make hiring decisions.

Note: Availability of benefits and programs may vary depending on your location and employment type and may be subject to eligibility criteria. Dentons reserves the right to modify or discontinue offerings, in whole or in part, at its discretion and without prior notice.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At Dentons Canada, inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) are not just ancillary values, they are foundational to our business. We believe that IDEA is essential to the shared success of our team and our clients. Our forward-thinking and inclusive culture supports the professional development of all our people, enhances the leading services we offer to our clients, and informs our commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. As a testament to our commitment to IDEA, we have been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employer’s for 15 consecutive years (2011-2025), as well as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2025) for the eighth time.

Dentons Canada is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome your application. All employment decisions, including hiring, will be made without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity, marital status, place of origin, race, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable human rights legislation.

We are committed to providing you with an inclusive, barrier-free, and accessible workplace to support your success. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, for example as a result of a disability, please contact us at careers.canada@dentons.com.