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Culture & Performance Advisor

About HOPA Ports

HOPA Ports is Ontario’s largest port network, connecting communities, industries, and global trade across Hamilton, Oshawa, and the Great Lakes region. As a federal port authority, we play a vital role in Canada’s supply chain, and our people are central to that mission.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice President, Corporate Affairs, the Culture & Performance Advisor is a strategic and hands-on HR partner who helps shape the people practices that make HOPA Ports a great place to work. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to leaders across the organization, bringing together expertise in talent management, employee relations, workforce planning, and culture to support a high-performing, engaged team. This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable building strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute it.

What You'll Do

Strategic Partnership

  • Collaborate with HOPA leadership on HR strategy aligned to corporate goals
  • Develop and maintain compensation and recruitment philosophies and frameworks
  • Support workforce planning and organizational design

Culture & Engagement

  • Lead initiatives that connect employees to HOPA’s mission, vision, and values
  • Plan and execute employee engagement events and recognition programs
  • Sustain and advance HOPA’s Top Employer designation

Talent Acquisition & Development

  • Lead full-cycle recruitment from job design through to onboarding and 30-60-90 day performance administration
  • Manage the Port Trainee Program and build post-secondary institution partnerships for co-op and internship pipelines
  • Support managers on performance management, and lead 360 performance reviews at the request of the Executive Team
  • Support succession planning and talent needs analysis

Compensation & Payroll

  • Conduct market analyses and collaborate on pay equity reviews
  • Provide payroll administration back-up

Employee Relations & Compliance

  • Maintain HR policies in line with legal best practices
  • Co-lead workplace mediations and investigations
  • Prepare compliance reports and HR analytics

What You Bring

  • Post-secondary education in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field
  • CHRP or CHRL designation (or eligibility); other HR certifications considered
  • 5–7 years of progressive HR experience spanning strategic planning, talent management, and employee relations
  • Working knowledge of federal employment legislation, including the Canada Labour Code, Pay Equity Act, and Canadian Human Rights Act
  • Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office, including Excel
  • Payroll knowledge and familiarity with taxable benefits are assets
  • Knowledge of Hamilton, Oshawa, and/or Niagara civic landscapes is an asset
  • French language skills are an asset

Why HOPA Ports

We offer a dynamic environment where no two days look the same, a leadership team that values HR as a strategic function, and the opportunity to help shape culture at a leading regional organization. Our competitive compensation package is designed to support our employees’ success:

  • Competitive base salary
  • Annual bonus program
  • Comprehensive health and dental benefits plus a health care spending account
  • Defined contribution pension plan
  • Education and professional development support
  • Strong commitment to work-life balance and a collaborative, innovative team environment

Recognized as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers, HOPA Ports manages Ontario’s largest and most successful port network. We’re committed to protecting the environment, enhancing our community, and building a workplace where your contributions truly make an impact.

Learn more about us: https://www.hopaports.ca/about-hopa/people-and-careers/

Everyone is welcome.

We believe diverse perspectives drive better decisions and stronger communities.  As part of our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility, our goal is a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome all qualified applicants to apply including individuals with disabilities, those who identify as Black, Indigenous or persons of colour, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and others. We are happy to honour accommodations at any part of the recruitment process and invite you to let us know how we can help.

Please forward your resume & cover letter to::  [email protected]

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Culture & Performance Advisor

About HOPA Ports HOPA Ports is Ontario’s largest port network, connecting communities, industries, and global trade across Hamilton, Oshawa, and the Great Lakes region. As

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June 22, 2026

Renee Bulger, CPA, CGA

Vice President, Finance

Renee assumed the role of Vice President, Finance after having served as Director of Finance since 2023.

Renee joined the Hamilton Port Authority in 2006 as a General Accountant and was promoted to Controller in 2018. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Conservation Foundation from 2017 to 2020.

Renee received her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Larissa Fenn

Larissa Fenn

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for strategic initiatives, public affairs, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and culture.

In progressive roles over 14 years, Larissa has helped to define and execute the strategy that has grown HOPA Ports into Ontario’s largest and most dynamic port authority. Her previous experience includes policy and communications management roles in financial services and municipal government.

Larissa holds a B.A. in Political Science from Queen’s University, and an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. A champion for the Great Lakes and vibrant waterfront cities, Larissa serves as a Board Member of the Ontario Marine Council and is former Vice Chair of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton/Burlington, Ontario.

Bill Fitzgerald

Vice President, Strategic Development

Bill assumed the role of Vice President, Strategic Development in 2024, after having served as HOPA’s Vice President, Operations since 2008.

Bill joined the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority in July 1995 as Project Engineer. He previously worked with the Regional Municipality of Ottawa’s Transportation Department, as well as for the Toronto Transit Commission and the City of Waterloo.

Bill received a Bachelor of Applied Science, civil engineering / water resources, in 1995 from the University of Waterloo and registered with the Professional Engineers of Ontario in 1997.

Jeremy Dunn

Vice President, Operations

Jeremy assumed the role of Vice President, Operations in 2024 after having served as HOPA’s Commercial Vice President since 2019. Prior to joining HOPA, Jeremy served in successive leadership roles at The Miller Group, one of Canada’s leading transportation construction and infrastructure maintenance companies. Jeremy has managed multiple business groups in the heavy construction, asphalt paving and aggregates sectors driving results through business restructuring, service improvement and strategic growth. In his most recent role, Jeremy served as General Manager of Miller Maintenance, responsible for managing and growing Miller’s highway maintenance business in Ontario.

Previous to The Miller Group, Jeremy held the position of Director of Operations for the Dunn Group of Companies.

Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) through Queen’s University. He also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management.

Ian Hamilton

President & CEO

Ian Hamilton is President & CEO of HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority). He assumed this role in 2017, after serving as the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate since 2008. Ian has been instrumental in developing working waterfronts in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara by attracting new business and private investment, and creating an integrated marine network across Southern Ontario.

Ian possesses more than 25 years of experience in international transportation and logistics in Europe and North America, and has held progressively senior positions in the liner shipping industry, including Transatlantic Trade Director (Europe) for CP Ships and Business Development Manager for Hapag-Lloyd. Ian is Chairperson of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and holds positions on various other boards, including: the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Hamilton Club, and Brigs Youth Sail Training.

Ian holds an MBA from Aston University (UK) and a BSc in business administration and economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina.