HR Manager, US & Canada

Wärtsilä is an innovative technology company known for being a forerunner in the Marine and Energy markets. Every day, we – Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into turning Wärtsilä's purpose of enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality. Our ultimate aim is to provide increased value to both our customers and society. New, game-changing ideas and continuous improvement have been part of our DNA since 1834. Together, we can create new business opportunities and more sustainable future that we can all be proud of. 

We want to transition the world towards a decarbonised and sustainable future. By pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology, we can make it work. We are always on the lookout for future-oriented talent – want to join the ride?

HR Manager, US & Canada

People Services is the face of HR at Wärtsilä, supporting our employees and delivering services and expertise across HR processes to bring a world-class employee experience to life. We support organizations globally and work together to ensure our employees receive the support they need wherever they are.

We are now looking for an experienced HR Manager, US & Canada to join our team. In this role, you will support employees and leaders across the United States and Canada, partnering closely with line managers to deliver HR strategies that support business priorities and the full employee lifecycle, while ensuring compliance with Wärtsilä policies and local labor legislation.

You will work in a complex global matrix environment and collaborate across People Services, the People Support Hub, Talent Acquisition, and HR Centers of Excellence to deliver consistent, compliant, and people-centric HR solutions.

Responsibilities

As HR Manager, US & Canada, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Act as a key point of contact for employee relations, providing guidance and support on workplace matters and helping foster a positive and inclusive work environment.

• Partner with line managers on employee relations matters, including investigations, engagement actions, discipline, and terminations, ensuring compliance with all related processes.

• Facilitate performance and rewards processes in country and guide managers and employees through annual cycles.

• Facilitate compensation and benefits processes in country and support managers and employees throughout these activities.

• Support HR governance and compliance activities, including audits, internal controls, and employment-related risk management across the USA and Canada.

• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and local handbooks remain updated and effectively communicated.

• Support organizational change initiatives, including restructures, role changes, workforce transitions, and organizational redesign.

• Coach and support managers in effective change management and communication practices.

• Work closely with the People Support Hub and other HR colleagues to ensure efficient HR delivery, clear ownership, and strong data quality across HR processes.

• Drive continuous improvement in local HR delivery and contribute to local, regional, and global HR projects and initiatives.

• Stay up to date with the legal environment and labor law developments in the USA and Canada, and advise management on required actions.

• Contribute to the development of regional and global ways of working, identifying opportunities for process improvement, automation, and digitalization.

• Collaborate regularly with HR teams such as Talent Acquisition Services, Rewarding, HR Information Systems, and Global CoEs, while actively contributing as a member of the Americas People Services HR team.

Requirements

To be successful in this role, we expect you to have:

• Strong knowledge of U.S. and Canadian employment laws and HR practices

• Experience in employee relations, labor relations, compliance, and HR governance

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills

• Ability to work effectively in a global matrix environment

• A proactive, solution-oriented, and collaborative mindset

• Strong judgment and the ability to balance business needs, compliance, and employee experience

• Cultural awareness and the ability to work across diverse teams and stakeholders

• Relevant higher education in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience

• Minimum 8 years of HR experience, ideally including support for non-exempt employee populations

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken

Desired Skills

The following would be considered an advantage:

• Experience with SuccessFactors (SF) or similar HR systems

• Experience supporting employees and managers across multiple countries

• Exposure to process improvement, automation, or HR digitalization initiatives

• Ability to manage a dynamic office and operational workload in a fast-paced environment

Why you and us

You will be part of a global organization with local presence and work in a dynamic environment with highly motivated and skilled colleagues. At Wärtsilä, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting employees and leaders across the USA and Canada while contributing to high-quality, people-centric HR delivery.

We offer challenging work, strong collaboration, and opportunities for personal and professional development. At Wärtsilä, we value, respect, and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities. Everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities.

Last application date: 04/05/2026 

At Wärtsilä we value, respect and embrace all our differences, and are committed to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities; everyone can be their true self and succeed based on their job-relevant merits and abilities. 

Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

This is Wärtsilä 

Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. Our team of 18,300 professionals, in more than 230 locations in 77 countries, shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. Read more on www.wartsila.com.