About Canonical

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, the world's leading open source operating system powering enterprise innovation in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering, and IoT. As a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, Canonical serves top public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry leaders worldwide. With over 1200 colleagues across 75+ countries, the founder-led, profitable, and growing organization thrives on a remote-first culture. Teams connect through strategic in-person sprints two to four times a year in exciting global locations, fostering alignment and execution without traditional office constraints.

Role Overview

The Lead HR Generalist - Americas is a senior role shaping Canonical's future HR function. Based remotely in the Americas region, you'll drive regional and global HR initiatives, ensuring precise, compliant, and scalable operations. Partnering with the Americas HR Manager and Global Head of HR, you'll advise leadership across the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to succession planning. This hands-on position demands analytical prowess, data-driven insights, and expertise in Latin American labor laws, making it ideal for HR professionals passionate about technology and open source ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

In this pivotal role, you'll deliver high-impact HR support tailored to Canonical's distributed workforce:

• Execute precise, compliant HR operations with exceptional accuracy and timeliness.
• Collaborate with Americas HR Manager and Global Head of HR to amplify impact across regions.
• Own processes like talent development, succession planning, performance assessments, onboarding, and culture initiatives.
• Guide managers on performance management, organizational design, employee engagement, rewards, and workforce planning.
• Partner with HRIS team to optimize day-to-day HR administration processes.
• Coach people managers on employee relations issues spanning multiple countries.
• Support delivery of training and development programs.
• Build trusted business partnerships in the Americas region.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
• Design innovative policies and lead business-critical global HR projects.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks proven HR leaders with a global mindset and regional expertise:

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• HR experience leading multi-region initiatives in technology businesses.
• Deep knowledge of Latin America HR practices, especially Brazil and Mexico, including local labor laws.
• Proven business partnering with senior stakeholders.
• Balance of strategic leadership and hands-on execution in daily HR routines.
• Experience mentoring and developing teams.
• Robust project management skills to define and track deliverables.
• Thrives in remote-first organizations.
• Leverages data for informed decision-making.
• Fluent in business English (written and spoken).
• Self-motivated, organized, accurate, confident, results-oriented, open-minded, and enthusiastic.
• Willing to travel up to 4 times yearly for internal events.

Nice-to-have skills include immigration/mobility experience, payroll/benefits oversight, HR systems knowledge, professional certifications, and facilitation expertise.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, performance-based compensation reviewed annually, plus a bonus structure. Tailored to local needs with global fairness, benefits include:

• Fully distributed remote work environment with twice-yearly in-person team sprints.
• USD 2,000 personal learning and development budget annually.
• Recognition rewards for outstanding contributions.
• Generous annual holiday leave, maternity, and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support.
• Exciting travel opportunities to new locations for colleague meetups.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by impact and performance. As a Lead HR Generalist, you'll shape global HR strategy, mentor peers, and influence organizational culture in a high-growth open source leader. With Ubuntu at the forefront of cloud, AI, and IoT, you'll gain exposure to cutting-edge tech sectors. Professional development is prioritized through budgets, training, and cross-functional projects, positioning you for advancement in a collaborative, innovative environment.

Why Join Canonical

Join a profitable, founder-led company revolutionizing open source software. Work remotely with a diverse, global team united by Ubuntu's mission. Contribute to breakthrough initiatives for Fortune 500 clients while enjoying work-life balance, travel adventures, and meaningful DEI impact. Canonical's remote-first model eliminates commutes, emphasizing results over location. In the Americas, lead HR transformation supporting Ubuntu's expansion in enterprise tech.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role fully remote? Yes, home-based anywhere in the Americas region.

Q: What travel is required? Up to 4 times per year for team sprints in global locations.

Q: Do I need Latin America experience? Yes, regional HR expertise, especially Brazil/Mexico, is essential.

Q: What's the company culture like? Remote-first, collaborative, with in-person strategy alignments and a focus on high performance and open source values.

Q: How is compensation determined? Based on location, experience, and performance, with annual reviews and bonuses.