At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead talent and performance excellence across the organisation, driving impactful outcomes.
- Company: Join Canada Life, a trusted company improving Canadians' well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, career development, and community involvement.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for growth and community connection.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in talent management and elevate leadership pipelines.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in talent programs with strong data insight skills.
The predicted salary is between 125000 - 125000 £ per year.
The Manager, Talent & Performance enables enterprise-wide talent and performance excellence by leading the end-to-end execution of talent review, succession, and performance management cycles. This role ensures programs are operationally effective, insight-driven, and aligned to business priorities. You will translate strategy into consistent, high-quality outcomes across the organization.
Key Accountabilities:
- Talent Review & Succession Delivery
- Manage end-to-end execution of annual talent review and succession cycles (timelines, tools, governance, outputs).
- Ensure consistent, high-quality assessments of performance, potential, and readiness across leadership populations, with a dedicated focus on AVP and Director talent assessments in partnership with Director HRBPs and HR Business Partners.
- Partner with HRBPs and leaders to strengthen succession depth and mitigate talent risk.
- Translate outcomes into actionable talent plans that improve bench strength and readiness.
- Performance Management Excellence
- Manage the broad-based all employee Canada Life performance cycles (goal setting, mid-year, year-end) with a focus on quality, consistency, and completion.
- Embed differentiated performance practices, including executive-level processes and calibration rigour.
- Strengthen performance culture through clear standards, leader enablement, and continuous feedback loops.
- Identify gaps in performance execution and implement improvements to elevate organizational capability.
- Talent Insights & Data-Driven Decision Making
- Deliver actionable insights on bench strength, succession coverage, readiness, and diversity metrics.
- Ensure the integrity, quality and usability of performance and talent data to support informed executive decision-making; partners with key stakeholders to strengthen data governance and continuously improve data quality.
- Synthesize insights into clear, compelling narratives and recommendations for senior leaders.
- Stakeholder Enablement & Advisory
- Equip HR Business Partners and leaders with tools, training, and guidance to deliver talent and performance processes effectively.
- Act as a trusted advisor on talent practices, enabling consistent application across the business.
- Support executive materials and governance forums with clear, insight-driven outputs.
- Talent Programs & Continuous Improvement
- Leverage and optimize SuccessFactors (People Zone) to enable the seamless execution of talent and performance processes, data integrity, reporting, and user adoption across Canada Life.
- Lead continuous improvement of talent and performance processes based on stakeholder feedback and outcomes.
- Identify friction points and implement scalable solutions to improve efficiency and experience.
- Partner on enterprise talent initiatives (e.g., executive assessments, coaching, development programs).
What You Bring:
- 5–7 years of experience leading end-to-end talent and performance programs in a complex organization.
- Strong expertise in talent review, succession planning, and performance management practices.
- Proven ability to generate insights and translate data into actionable business outcomes.
- Credibility and influence with HR leaders and senior stakeholders.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and continuous improvement mindset.
As this position is posted in several locations, we specify that bilingualism is an asset (fluent in French and English) but is required for Quebec only as the position regularly serves our clients with French and English-speaking needs.
The Impact You Will Have:
- Strengthens leadership pipeline and succession coverage.
- Elevates quality and consistency of performance management.
- Enables data-driven talent decisions at senior levels.
- Improves execution, efficiency, and adoption of talent programs across Canada Life.
The base salary for this position is between $86,600 - $125,000 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation (i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.
What we offer:
- Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
- Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
- Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
- Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options.
- Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
- Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.
We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.
Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
Manager, Talent and Performance in London employer: Canada Life
Canada Life UK is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its employees, offering a modern and agile work environment in vibrant locations like Bristol, London, and Watford. With a strong focus on building better futures, the company fosters a welcoming culture and provides ample opportunities for professional development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, Talent and Performance in London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Canada Life!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Canada Life.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager, Talent and Performance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Canada Life. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Canada Life and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Canada Life. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Canada Life's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canada Life
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Canada Life.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Canada Life will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Canada Life and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
