Rob Henderson is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of private and public sector management experience. Since joining the company in 2011, BioTalent Canada has grown to become the talent driver behind life-changing science in Canada.
When Rob joined BioTalent Canada, it employed five people. Today, the head count has grown to its current contingent of more than 40. He helped determine the organization’s unique value proposition and market niche which enabled him to build a network of more than 60 partner organizations.
Under Rob’s guidance, BioTalent Canada has engaged with government, employers, industry associations, post-secondary institutions, immigrant serving agencies, and service providers. Together, this dynamic network strengthens skills, connects job-ready talent to industry, and creates opportunities. Its proven performance provides industry with funding, HR resources, and labour market intelligence to help companies successfully build their teams.
Over the past several years, BioTalent Canada has produced comprehensive evidence-based resources—Labour Market Intelligence reports, National Compensation Guides, National Occupational Standards—that the industry relies on to build successful teams.
The company has also developed programs and services that bridge the gap between employers to job seekers, and placed over 10,000 Canadians in new careers across Canada. In 2022, BioTalent Canada itself was designated as one of Canada’s Top 50 workplaces in Canada for less than 50 employees.
Rob is a respected biotech HR thought leader who provides counsel to all levels of government. He’s a member of the National Stakeholders Advisory Panel for the Labour Market Information Council. Previous to that, at the request of the federal Minister, Rob was a member of the Government of Canada’s Blue Ribbon Panel titled Survival to Success Transforming Immigration. In 2013, Rob presented BioTalent Canada’s talent solutions, in Brussels, to an international audience of global biotech firms.
Prior to his role as President and CEO of BioTalent Canada, he served as President, Quebec and Vice-President, Eastern Canada for CNW (Canada Newswire). In that role, he advised C-Suite clients on industry leading best practices in public and investor relations and inspired business growth and customer service innovation which included the creation of the company’s first national sales call centre.
Throughout his career, Rob has held Executive Director and Board leadership roles at various associations. In this capacity, Rob shaped numerous Board functions under several different models of governance. Earlier in his career, Rob led the Canadian Association of Journalists through a complex revenue/partnership exercise guided by ethics principles and Board participation and retains strong friendships with Canada’s top journalists to this day.
Education
Rob Henderson earned a BSc Honours in Biology from the University of Ottawa.
Community Commitment
Rob is active as a volunteer and performer in the Nation’s Capital performing arts community.