Associate Director, Americas HRBP Lead (Chicago)

Cognizant; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid holidays

Paid Time Off

401(k) plan

Disability Insurance

Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant in Chicago, IL is seeking an Associate Director, Americas HRBP Lead to guide HR for the MLEU, Physical AI, and RCGTH units across the Americas, shaping people and talent strategy at the senior leadership level.

You will partner with BU leaders, HR COEs, and the EX-Hub to translate business goals into organization design, learning, policy, and compensation actions, leading change and driving HR KPIs.

This onsite role requires four days per week in a Cognizant office.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6–8 years of HR experience, including leadership.
• Strong data analysis skills with ability to simplify complex data.
• Working knowledge of AI tools used by HRBP teams.
• Strategic thinker with diplomacy and leadership presence.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate business strategies into people and organizational priorities, leading discussions with business leadership to align priorities with vision and execution.
• Own people and talent management plans and drive HR KPIs across BU operations.
• Drive partnership between BU HR leads, COEs, EX-Hub, and other resources to execute people processes.
• Lead change management with SMEs and business leaders, acting as chief change agent on people matters for assigned business units.
• Leverage data analytics to understand people challenges and translate priorities into talent outcomes through talent reviews and succession planning.

Skills

HR Leadership

Data Analysis

Strategic Partnership

AI Tools Knowledge

Change Management

Job description

About The Role

As an Associate Director, Americas HRBP Lead, you will make an impact by leading the Human Resources function for the MLEU, Physical AI, and RCGTH business units across the Americas, serving as a member of the senior leadership team and providing strategic direction across all aspects of the business units' people and talent management, organization design, learning and development, people and organization policy, and compensation and benefits. You will be a valued member of the HR Leadership team and work collaboratively with BU and CF executive leaders, HR Centres of Excellence (COEs), the EX-Hub team, and BU HR leadership teams and associates at all levels.

In this role, you will

• Translate business strategies into people and organizational priorities, leading discussions with business leadership teams to align people and organizational priorities with the organization's vision and execution to achieve business goals.
• Own people and talent management plans and recommendations as part of the business units' strategic plans, and drive HR KPIs across BU operations including interpretation, analysis, communication, and the change management associated with them.
• Drive effective partnership between BU HR leads, CTS HR COEs, the EX-Hub, and other resources to execute people processes, leveraging COEs and SMEs to guide BU and CF decisions.
• Lead the identification and implementation of change, partnering with SMEs and business leaders on change management and communication plans, and acting as chief change agent on all people matters for the assigned business units.
• Leverage data analytics to understand underlying people challenges and partner with Talent Management to translate business priorities into talent outcomes through talent reviews, succession planning, and build/develop/buy/borrow talent decisions with BU leaders.

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role's business requirements, this is an onsite position requiring 4 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Chicago, IL.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What You Need To Have To Be Considered

• A minimum of 6-8 years of HR experience, including a few years in proven leadership roles.
• Demonstrated fact-based data analysis, with the ability to break down complexity to what is most relevant.
• Working knowledge of AI tools and agents leveraged by HRBP’s to deliver higher value work.
• The ability to read the room, operate with agility, act with urgency and purpose, and function effectively at a strategic level, with the courage to act and a keen sense of diplomacy and leadership presence.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, excellent people skills, unshakable integrity, and the emotional intelligence to navigate difficult situations and model authentic partnering capabilities.

These will help you stand out

• Prior IT, engineering, or other equivalent professional services industry experience.
• Inspirational leadership characteristics and behaviors, with the confidence to lead without arrogance.
• A proven ability to serve as a trusted talent advisor and coach, mentoring leaders and associates and influencing organizational structures, culture, and the adoption of HR strategic plans.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary And Other Compensation

Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2026.

• The annual salary for this position is between $104,850 - $166,500 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
• This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan