VP Human Resources, Robotics & Automation

Build a career powered by innovations that matter! At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing-improving productivity, enhancing people's lives and redefining what's possible. We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications-from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing.

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Business Unit Overview

The technological demands of precision motion and robotic utility have never been greater. Surgical robotic technologies require ultimate precision and high force torque sensitivity, while automated logistics robots and emerging humanoid technologies require an equal balance of freedom of movement with accuracy and extreme safety. In next-generation factories, industrial robots are used to perform an ever-increasing array of advanced production and assembly tasks with increasing precision, and multi-functional utility. This is where Novanta's Robotics & Automation business plays.

Job Summary

The Vice President of Human Resources is a senior executive responsible for leading the Robotics and Automation Business Unit's people strategy by driving business outcomes through talent management, workforce planning, and business partnering. This role is a key member of both the HR and Robotics and Automation Leaderships teams working closely with executive leadership to align HR initiatives with business objectives, ensuring the organization is future-ready and able to adapt to rapid change.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Workforce Planning

• Develop and execute strategic workforce plans that anticipate future skills demand.

• Partner with business leaders to align talent pipelines, leadership development, and succession planning with evolving business needs.

• Use workforce analytics and industry benchmarks to inform organizational decisions and talent mobility strategies.

Talent Management & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead talent acquisition, engagement, and retention strategies, with a focus on building a diverse and high-performing workforce.

• Drive organizational design and change management initiatives to enhance performance and align the workforce with strategic business shifts.

• Provide coaching and consulting to business leaders on effective performance management and talent development interventions.

• Leverage people analytics, dashboards, and predictive insights to inform decisions on structure, compensation, performance, and retention.

Business Partnership & Advisory

• Act as a strategic advisor to senior executives, translating business strategy into scalable HR solutions.

• Support business unit leaders with workforce intelligence and operational insights that inform planning, budgeting, and transformation initiatives.

HR Transformation & Technology

• Play an active role working with the HR Leadership Team to transform how the function adds value to people, culture and business results.

• Leverage HR technology and systems to improve efficiency and data analytics capabilities

• Ensure HR solutions are scalable, compliant, and aligned with business priorities.

• Foster a culture of innovation with AI and data-driven decision-making across the HR function.

Required Experience, Education, Skills and Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; master's degree preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience supporting a manufacturing commercial division.

• Experience with strategic workforce planning and HR technology implementation.

• Proven experience in leveraging AI, automation, and data analytics to drive HR transformation.

• Strong business acumen and ability to influence at all levels in a matrixed environment.

• Demonstrated success in leading organizational change, talent management, and succession planning initiatives.

Travel Requirements:

• Less than 50%

Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy.

Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.