At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and partner with international teams to drive performance culture.
- Company: Join Canva, a dynamic design platform redefining creativity worldwide.
- Benefits: Equity packages, flexible leave, and wellness allowances for a balanced life.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid work model and a vibrant company culture focused on growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment while shaping global culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR partnering within hypergrowth environments and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Join the team redefining how the world experiences design. This role is based at our London campus and follows a hybrid way of working. You have choice in where and how you work. We trust our Canvanauts to choose the balance that empowers them and their team to achieve their goals.
The Opportunity
We’re looking for a Senior Strategic HR Business Partner who will help build Canva's international organisation. You’ll partner directly with the Head of International and their leadership team, working across the full breadth of International People challenges, from performance culture and org design to talent outcomes and leadership capability. You’ll be accountable for the people strategy that drives our market growth, from establishing a strong performance culture across markets, to ensuring consistency in how we develop leaders, manage talent, and execute People programs at scale.
You’ll bring calm, clarity, resilience and systems thinking to a fast-moving, hypergrowth environment, and you’ll know when to go deep and when to go wide. You’ll be an experienced HR enabler who thinks strategically, but is also prepared to roll up your sleeves and get things done. We want someone who has partnered with international businesses before, not just implemented global HR programs. Someone who understands that great People Partnering in complex, multi-market environments means setting direction, enabling others, and driving outcomes.
You know that meeting the business where it’s at, building exceptional foundations and positive relationships is the key to ensuring those high impact, highly strategic pieces of work land with positive impact at scale.
What You’ll Do
- International Business Partnering
- Serve as the senior People Partner to the Head of International and the International leadership team.
- Build deep business understanding, earn trust quickly, and partner on the full range of People challenges, from org design and workforce planning to talent management and culture.
- Provide strategic, hands-on input across all key People priorities, including team effectiveness, leadership development, growth and impact frameworks, and cultivating a high-performance culture that scales across markets and time zones.
- Partner with TA and the Head of International to drive talent density.
- Partner with the broader People team to ensure global programs land with real impact across International markets, particularly in our newer pioneer markets.
- Act as the connective tissue between the global International People strategy and local execution.
- Performance Culture & People Strategy
- Own the International People strategy end-to-end.
- Lead the embedding of a strong, consistent performance culture across all International markets.
- Drive consistency in how talent is identified, developed, and retained across regions.
- Change & Transformation
- Partner with leaders & broader people teams to make sure new Canvanauts are set up to thrive in our culture.
- Guide the International organisation through ambiguity with confidence.
- Lead or support change management for structural changes.
You’re probably a match if you:
- Have HR Business Partnering experience within hypergrowth and fast pace environments.
- Deep expertise across core HR disciplines: performance management, org design, leadership development, talent management, and change.
- Experience supporting international or geographically distributed businesses.
- Proven ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders.
- Track record of building and embedding performance culture.
- Have strong commercial acumen.
- Are proactive by nature and thrive in ambiguity.
- Have exceptional judgement.
- High emotional intelligence and cultural adaptability.
- Champion innovation in people practices.
What’s in it for you?
Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard - and we do - but you’ll experience lots of moments of magic, connectivity and fun woven throughout life at Canva, too. We also offer a range of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work.
Other stuff to know
We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills and passion, as well as how you can enhance Canva and our culture. When you apply, please tell us the pronouns you use and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process. Please note that interviews are conducted virtually.
HR Business Partner Director - International employer: black.ai
At Canva, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. Based in London, our hybrid working model empowers you to choose how and where you work, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while driving impactful people strategies across international markets. With a strong focus on employee growth, innovative benefits like equity packages and a comprehensive learning library, we are dedicated to supporting your personal and professional development in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner Director - International
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, especially those in HR roles. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the job at Canva.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Canva's culture and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven people strategies in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to discuss your past achievements in a way that highlights your strategic thinking and ability to partner with leadership. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role and keeping you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner Director - International
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and perspectives.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the HR Business Partner Director role. Highlight your relevant experience in international business partnering and how it aligns with our goals at Canva.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've driven outcomes in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at black.ai
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Canva's mission and values. Understand their approach to international HR challenges and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also in the company’s vision.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic HR initiatives in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments. Be ready to discuss how you've built performance cultures or managed change in international settings. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and act decisively.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
During the interview, focus on building a connection with the interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their experiences at Canva and share relevant anecdotes from your own career. This not only makes you memorable but also shows your interpersonal skills, which are crucial for an HR role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in complex situations. Think of specific instances where you navigated ambiguity or drove change successfully. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
