HR Business Partner

PeopleAdmin, Inc.; Orange (CA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapman University in Orange, CA is seeking a strategic HR Business Partner to collaborate with campus leaders. This on‑campus role focuses on employee relations, coaching, and workforce effectiveness while ensuring policy compliance.

The HRBP will support performance management, documentation, investigations, and organizational change, driving engagement and retention in a dynamic university environment. Qualifications include a bachelor’s in HR or related field and 10–15 years of progressive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, organizational development or related field.
• 10–15 years of progressive HR experience with employee relations, performance management, and engagement.
• Ability to influence leaders and work across the organization.
• Strong written and verbal communication and confidentiality in sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

• Partner with managers to provide guidance on employee relations, performance concerns and workforce strategies.
• Coach leaders on leadership effectiveness, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Support performance management processes, including annual reviews and development planning.
• Assist with investigations, documentation, and compliance with policies and laws.
• Facilitate onboarding and manage leave, workers’ compensation, benefits and retirement administration.
• Collaborate on workforce planning, succession planning and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and internal policies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Relationship building

Influence business leaders

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business/Organizational Development

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in‑person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Position Information

Position Title

HR Business Partner

Position Type

Regular

Job Number

SA82224

Full or Part Time

full‑time 40 hours weekly

Fair Labor Standard Act Classification

Exempt

Anticipated Pay Range

$115,000 - $135,000

Pay Range Information

Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary

The Human Resources Business Partner ( HRBP ) serves as a strategic and operational partner to leaders and employees across the organization. This role focuses on people management, employee relations, leadership coaching, and workforce effectiveness while ensuring compliance with company policies and employment laws.
The HRBP plays a critical role in supporting managers with performance management, documentation, employee concerns, and organizational changes, while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with managers and leaders to provide guidance on employee relations, performance concerns, workplace issues, and people strategies.
• Coach managers on leadership effectiveness, communication, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Support and advise on performance management processes, including annual performance reviews, goal setting, and development planning.
• Assist managers with performance documentation, including Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), corrective actions, warning notices, and related employee communications.
• Provide guidance and support in employee separations, including voluntary and involuntary terminations, ensuring legal compliance and proper documentation.
• Conduct workplace investigations and resolve employee concerns in a fair, timely, and confidential manner.
• Facilitate onboarding of new hires, ensuring a smooth transition and positive employee experience.
• Assist with leave of absence, workers’ compensation, benefits and retirement administration by conducting initial intake, communication with all relevant parties, answering questions and/or providing additional team or resources to the individual.
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, internal policies, and HR best practices.
• Analyze workforce trends and recommend proactive solutions to improve employee retention and engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, preferred.
• 10-15 years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including employee relations, performance management, and employee engagement.
• Ability to work collaboratively and influence business leaders with information on suggested action for solving business and people issues.
• Superior inter-personal, communication and relationship building skills and the ability to work across the organization with employees and leaders at all levels.
• A strategic thinker that seeks information and perspectives, conducts analysis, and uses sound judgment to drive complex issues to resolution, yet has the ability to focus on tactical and operational issues in a fluid environment
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee matters with discretion and confidentiality.
• Exceptional written communication and business writing skills, including experience drafting investigation reports, performance improvement plans, performance evaluations, employee relations documentation, and leadership communications. Ability to document facts objectively, articulate recommendations, and prepare clear, concise, and legally defensible written materials.
• Highly organized with exceptional time management skills, able to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment.
• Self‑starter, highly motivated and achievement oriented.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour laws, leave administration, and workplace investigations.
• Proficiency with Human Resources Information Systems ( HRIS ) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Desired Qualifications

Special Instructions to Applicants

At Chapman University, we believe collaboration thrives through in‑person engagement. This position is fully on campus, and employees work alongside colleagues, faculty, students, and staff each day to support our vibrant university community.

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Applicants for Staff and Administrator positions must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.

Minimum Number of References

2

Maximum Number of References

3

Pre-screening Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 3 References Listed on One Page

Optional Documents

MAIN CAMPUS

One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866
[phone]

RINKER HEALTH SCIENCE CAMPUS

9401 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, CA 92618

© 2019 CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY

The offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion and outcomes of a criminal background screening, and returning to the Office of Human Resources a signed original acceptance of the Chapman University Agreement to Arbitrate.