HR Talent Behind Stronger Organizations.
Lead Search Group provides human resources recruitment in Toronto and the GTA. We recruit HR leaders and specialists in talent acquisition, people operations and organizational development. Each search focuses on the experience your team needs and what the new hire will help you achieve.
Let's Talk About Your HiringHR Leaders and Specialists for Your Team.
We recruit across the HR functions below, from senior leadership to specialist roles. Each search reflects the size of your workforce, the support employees need and the priorities your HR team will own.
Human ResourcesLeadership
Chief People Officers, HR vice presidents, directors and senior leaders who guide workforce planning, develop culture and advise the business on people decisions.
Talent Acquisition& Recruitment
Recruitment leaders, recruiters and sourcing specialists who find candidates, build talent pipelines and support hiring teams through the recruitment process.
HR Managers& Business Partners
HR managers, generalists and business partners who advise leaders, support employees and handle the daily needs of the workforce.
People Operations& HR Systems
People operations and HR technology specialists who improve employee processes, manage human resources information systems and support teams as they grow.
Workplace Safety& Employee Relations
Health and safety, employee relations and workplace specialists who help maintain safe workplaces, resolve employee concerns and support fair, consistent practices.
Total Rewards& Payroll
Compensation, payroll, benefits and total rewards professionals who manage pay accurately, administer programs and help employees understand their benefits.
The Best HR Talent May Never Apply.
Experienced HR professionals may be settled in roles where they are valued. We identify people who have addressed challenges like yours and approach them directly, including those who are not applying for jobs.
Find Experience That Fits Your Challenge.
Building an HR function requires different experience from managing employee relations across several locations. We clarify the work your new hire will take on before deciding where to look.
We research organizations where people have faced similar workforce needs. Company size, industry, growth stage and team structure help us identify relevant experience.
An HR professional in another industry may have handled the same challenges, from opening locations to introducing systems or supporting organizational change.
Start Conversations About the Right Opportunity.
A trusted HR leader or specialist may need a clear reason to consider leaving their current team. Responsibilities, leadership support and the opportunity to make a difference can all matter.
We combine direct outreach, professional relationships and referrals to introduce your role. Conversations help us understand candidates' goals and whether the opportunity is worth exploring together.
We explain the reporting relationship, workforce priorities and scope of the role so candidates can consider what the move would involve.
Relevant Experience. A Reason to Make the Move.
Our aim is to connect your organization with HR professionals who understand the work ahead and are interested in what your role offers.
What Does Your Organization Need From HR Next?
Before the search begins, we help define the work behind the title. The aim is a clear brief: who this person will support, which problems they will address and what they need to achieve.
What should this hire change for your workforce and your business?
Understand YourWorkforce
Who will this person support?
We clarify workforce size, locations, employee groups and business plans. Experience supporting a similar mix of people can matter more than a matching title.
Support People& Culture
Which employee needs come first?
We identify priorities such as employee relations, retention, engagement or manager support, then look for experience addressing those needs in practice.
Build BetterHR Systems
What needs to work better?
The role may involve improving recruitment, HR processes, technology, pay programs or leadership development. We define what the person will need to build or improve.
Guide Leaders& Change
What will they need to influence?
We explore how the person will advise managers, earn employee trust and guide change. Those expectations shape the judgment and communication skills we look for.
Clear Priorities Make Candidates Easier to Compare.
An agreed brief helps your hiring team assess candidates against the same needs. We distinguish essential experience from skills that can be developed, keeping the search focused on the work that matters most.
Discuss YourHR Search.
Tell us where your workforce or leadership team needs support. We can help define the role and plan how to reach suitable candidates.
Discuss an HR & Talent SearchPlan YourNext Hire.
Use the playbook's research and practical questions to review your hiring priorities and the skills your team will need as work changes.
Explore the 2026 Hiring PlaybookA free resource for employers hiring across Canada and the United States.
Focused Attention for Your HR Search.
You need a recruitment partner who understands the people behind your business and has time to focus on your hire. We combine experienced guidance with personal involvement throughout the search.
PeopleJudgment
We explore how candidates have advised managers, handled employee concerns and earned trust, so your hiring decision considers how they work with people.
PrincipalLed
Magdalena stays involved throughout your HR search, helping your team clarify priorities, consider candidates and make informed hiring decisions.
Focused SearchCapacity
We cap the searches our team takes on, allowing time for careful research, candidate conversations and follow-up when your priorities change.
TrustedRelationships
Professional relationships and referrals help us connect with experienced HR people who may be open to the right role without actively applying.
Relationships That Speak for Themselves.
Our reputation has been built one relationship at a time. Clients and candidates trust Lead Search Group with important hiring and career decisions, and their experiences say more about our approach than we ever could.
Jackie Sparking
Human Resources Manager
Five years ago, I was very fortunate to meet Magdalena during a period when I was exploring my own career opportunities. We established instant rapport, and she instilled confidence in me to pursue my goals.
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From the time of our initial meeting, we have developed a strong relationship (both personal and professional) and today we have a solid business partnership. Magdalena is a talented search professional who takes the time to listen and understand her client’s needs. She is methodical in her approach, and handles each situation with integrity and respect. Through dedication and hard work, Magdalena strives to deliver results with each assignment she accepts. Her commitment to her customers is commendable, and is second to none.
Leslie Proulx
Human Resources Advisor
Magdalena is more than a recruiter – she takes the time to develop a close relationship with her clients. I had the pleasure of working with Magdalena when I was looking for a new HR role.
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Living in Calgary at the time, I was eager to move back to Ontario. The idea of finding a new job across the country was daunting. Magdalena and I connected and I immediately knew that I had her full support in my job search. She took the time to understand my interests and my career goals, ultimately leading to securing a position in a few weeks. Since that first initial contact with Magdalena more than two years ago, we have maintained a close relationship, both professionally and personally.
Victoria Almeida
Human Resources Generalist
It has been an absolute pleasure working with Magdalena. It’s very clear that she has a sincere interest in her clients’ success and she works so hard to ensure that they find the perfect role.
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She is always in touch every step of the way and makes sure you are confident and comfortable before going into an interview or putting you forth for a position. I love working with her and recommend any contact who is searching for a new role to her as a recruiter but more so as an advisor and confidant. She placed me in my current role (before providing me with quite a few amazing opportunities) and its been a great opportunity for me. I look forward to working with Magdalena in the future.
Your HR Recruitment Questions, Answered.
Find answers about the roles we recruit, how we assess experience and how we help define your search.
We research relevant organizations and use direct outreach, referrals and professional relationships to connect with experienced HR people. Conversations help them understand your role and consider whether it fits their goals.
We explore the workforce they have supported and the problems they have solved. Examples of employee relations, manager support, growth or systems improvement help us assess experience relevant to your priorities.
Yes. We recruit Chief People Officers, HR vice presidents and directors, as well as managers, generalists, business partners and specialists across the HR function.
Not always. Industry knowledge may be essential for some roles. For others, experience with a similar workforce, company size or business challenge may be more relevant. We clarify this before narrowing the search.
Yes. We recruit specialists in compensation, payroll, benefits, total rewards, workplace safety, employee relations, recruitment and HR information systems. The search focuses on the expertise the role requires.
Yes. We help clarify responsibilities, reporting relationships and priorities. We also distinguish essential experience from skills that can be developed, giving your hiring team a clear brief to assess candidates against.
Yes. Searches can extend across Canada and the United States when the role calls for a wider market. Senior, specialist and remote roles may offer scope to look beyond one city.
Let's Define Your Next HR Hire.
Tell us about your workforce, the support it needs and what the new hire should achieve. We can help turn those priorities into a search plan.
Discuss an HR & Talent Search
More Confidence in Every Hire.
Hiring is a significant investment. Lead Search Group provides a six month replacement guarantee on qualifying permanent placements. It gives you added protection, with a commitment that continues after the hire.
Recruitment Perspective Worth Sharing.
Hear Magdalena Duleba-Lapensee discuss personalized recruitment on Leadership Human-Style. The conversation explores the human side of hiring and the people behind each search.
Personalized Recruitment with Magdalena Duleba-Lapensee
Leadership Human-Style