Lead HR Generalist - Americas

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Canonical is a leading provider of open‑source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world’s leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company pioneered global distributed collaboration, with 1,200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office‑based roles.

Teams meet two to four times yearly in person at interesting locations around the world to align on strategy and execution.

The company is founder‑led, profitable and growing. We require an HR function that thinks and acts globally. We are looking for a Lead HR Generalist to offer their expertise to our AMER region. It’s an exciting time to join with the opportunity to help shape and create an HR function for the future. The senior role will serve as a driver and practitioner in both regional and global HR initiatives, providing precise, compliant and scalable HR operations to the business, advising and executing on HR issues across the whole employee lifecycle, and partnering with leadership in your region.

Location: This role will be based remotely in the AMER region

• Deliver precise and compliant HR operations in a timely manner with the highest degree of accuracy
• Interact closely with the Americas HR Manager and the Global Head of HR to create impact across all HR regions
• Be accountable for HR processes such as talent development, succession planning, performance assessments, onboarding, culture and engagement initiatives that drive a high‑performing team
• Work with managers across the business on performance management, organizational design, employee engagement, rewards‑ and workforce planning
• Partner with the HRIS team to develop and refine operational processes for day‑to‑day HR administration
• Coach and advise people managers on the full spectrum of employee relations issues across multiple countries
• Partner with people managers to support the delivery of appropriate training and development programs
• Establish a trusted partnership with the business in your region
• Drive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
• Design new policies and deliver on business‑critical HR‑related projects globally

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university
• HR experience leading initiatives across regions within a technology business
• Regional HR experience within Latin America (Brazil and/or Mexico is a plus), with an understanding of local labor laws, competitive awareness and insights
• Experience in business partnering with senior stakeholders
• A good balance between leading and executing; you will be hands‑on in daily HR routines
• Experience mentoring and developing others
• Strong project management skills with the ability to define done and keep deliverables on track
• Experience working in a remote‑first organization
• Able to leverage data to make informed decisions
• Fluent in business English (written and spoken)
• Self‑motivated, organized, accurate, confident, authentic, results‑orientated, open‑minded and enthusiastic
• Willingness to travel up to four times a year for internal events

• Experience with immigration policies and mobility processes
• Payroll and/or benefits oversight experience
• Knowledge of HR systems and databases
• Professional HR certification(s)
• Facilitation skills

• Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards
• Annual holiday leave
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company.

We expect excellence— to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills and raise your game.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer

We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.