Application Guide
How to Apply for Team Leader, Talent Acquisition
at GFL Environmental
🏢 About GFL Environmental
GFL Environmental is a leading North American environmental services company focused on sustainable waste management and soil remediation, operating with a mission to create a greener future. Unlike generic waste companies, GFL emphasizes innovation in recycling, organics processing, and landfill diversion, making it appealing for professionals who want to contribute to tangible environmental impact. Their rapid growth through acquisitions creates dynamic opportunities in talent acquisition to support expansion across diverse operational sites.
About This Role
As Team Leader, Talent Acquisition at GFL Environmental, you'll lead national and regional recruitment strategies to support the company's operational expansion in waste management and environmental services. This role directly impacts business priorities by building cost-conscious hiring models through direct sourcing and early-career programs, while coaching a team of recruiters to meet high-volume, multi-site hiring needs across the U.S. and Canada.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves morning check-ins with your recruitment team to review metrics for high-volume roles like drivers or technicians, followed by strategy meetings with regional hiring managers to align on multi-site staffing needs. You might spend afternoons coaching recruiters on direct sourcing techniques, analyzing cost data to refine recruitment models, and collaborating with senior leaders on national hiring plans tied to GFL's expansion goals.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who GFL Environmental Is Looking For
- Has 6+ years of full-cycle recruitment experience with a track record in operational or industrial sectors (e.g., waste management, logistics, manufacturing), not just corporate roles
- Demonstrates experience leading recruitment teams in multi-site or high-volume hiring environments, ideally supporting field operations, drivers, or technicians
- Possesses strong consultative skills to align with hiring managers in an acquisition-driven company where business needs evolve rapidly
- Shows expertise in cost-conscious recruitment models, such as building referral programs or partnering with trade schools for early-career talent in environmental services
📝 Tips for Applying to GFL Environmental
Highlight specific experience recruiting for operational roles (e.g., drivers, technicians, plant operators) in your resume, as GFL's hiring is heavily field-focused
Quantify achievements in cost-saving recruitment models, such as percentage reduction in agency spend or increase in direct hires, to align with their cost-conscious approach
Mention any experience with acquisition integration or supporting rapid growth, as GFL expands through mergers and needs TA leaders who can scale processes
Tailor your application to mention GFL's sustainability mission—show how you've supported hiring for 'green' roles or companies with environmental focuses
If you lack a bachelor's degree, emphasize your 6+ years of progressive recruitment experience and leadership achievements, as the degree is listed as 'preferred' not required
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Explain how your recruitment experience aligns with operational, multi-site hiring—cite examples like supporting manufacturing, logistics, or waste management sectors', 'Describe your leadership philosophy in coaching recruiters, emphasizing accountability and continuous improvement in high-volume environments', 'Highlight your ability to build consultative relationships with senior leaders and hiring managers to drive strategy in a fast-paced, acquisition-driven company', "Connect your passion for sustainability to GFL's mission, showing how you can attract talent to support waste management and soil remediation initiatives"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study GFL's recent acquisitions and service expansions (e.g., in soil remediation or recycling) to understand their growth trajectory and potential hiring needs
- → Review their sustainability reports or news on environmental initiatives, such as landfill diversion goals, to discuss how TA can support these missions
- → Explore their operational structure—note key roles like drivers, technicians, and plant operators—to tailor your recruitment examples accordingly
- → Look into industry challenges in waste management hiring, such as driver shortages or skilled technician demand, to propose solutions during interviews
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on corporate or tech recruitment experience without highlighting operational, high-volume, or multi-site hiring examples
- Overemphasizing agency-dependent strategies instead of cost-conscious models like direct sourcing or early-career programs
- Applying with a generic leadership approach—failing to show how you'd mentor recruiters in a fast-paced, acquisition-driven environment like GFL's
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to GFL Environmental!