HR Business Partner

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm is seeking a collaborative HR Business Partner in Palo Alto to drive HR initiatives and ensure legal compliance. The role requires a strategic mindset with 7+ years of HR experience, focusing on employee relations, performance management, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Join a top firm recognized for its commitment to diversity and community impact while enjoying a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in human resources as HR generalist or HR business partner.
• Strong influencing and customer service skills required.
• Experience facilitating presentations in group settings.

Responsibilities

• Plan human resource initiatives including talent and employee relations.
• Advise management on legal risks and business strategies.
• Use analytics to drive HR program decisions.

Skills

Employee Relations

Performance Management

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Workday

Job description

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow our staff exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.

We are seeking a collaborative and strategic HR Business Partner to join our team. In this key role, you will leverage your expertise in employee relations, compensation planning, performance management, and employee development. We are looking for a highly skilled individual with a strong understanding of HR best practices and the ability to navigate complex situations with confidence and professionalism.You will play a vital role in ensuring legal compliance, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture, that supports employee well-being and drives organizational success.

As a strategic and tactical liaison, the HR Business Partner serves as a key link between business leaders and the HR department.This involves aligning departmental strategies with HR programs, ensuring effective employee lifecycle management, and driving organizational effectiveness.This position will report into the HR Director and can be located in:Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Century City, San Diego or Seattle.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and direct human resource initiatives to include talent management, employee relations, workforce engagement and workforce development to support the achievement of business outcomes.
• Partner with business leadership to proactively diagnose and identify future people-related business needs and translate into achievable action plans. Advise management on related risk, balancing legal requirements with business requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on employee relations matters, such as performance management, employee engagement, and conflict resolution.
• Partner with HR Centers of Excellence to manage core HR processes and programs in support of business goals. Leverage shared service teams to enable execution of day-to-day human resource functions and maximize the effectiveness of HR delivery. Maintain broad influence through ongoing development of internal relationships across the organization.
• Engage in key business initiatives involving the design of organizational development strategies to enhance business performance through the facilitation of reorganization efforts, change management strategies and/or cultural alignment activities as needed. Oversee communication and change management efforts, ensuring a culture that enables employee development through effective information sharing at all levels of the organization.
• EnsurecompliancewithWilsonSonsinipolicies,processesandpractices.Keepcurrentonfederal,stateandlocalemploymentpracticesandlaborlaws.
• Use analytics to identify trends, make data-driven decisions, and measure the effectiveness of HR programs and initiatives.
• Perform other duties & responsibilities as assigned.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• 7+ years in human resources function: HR generalist or HR business partner.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong influencing, problem solving, analytical, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to anticipate problems or challenges and be flexible in solving them.
• Proactive and positive thinker who is able to exercise good judgment, effective communication, and takes initiative.
• Professional demeanor and ability to use discretion when dealing with confidential matters.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience using Workday.
• Experience facilitating presentations in group settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to partner and collaborate with HR teams.
• Attention to detail with the ability to effectively handle multiple priorities.
  

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow our staff exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth.

We are seeking a collaborative and strategic HR Business Partner to join our team. In this key role, you will leverage your expertise in employee relations, compensation planning, performance management, and employee development. We are looking for a highly skilled individual with a strong understanding of HR best practices and the ability to navigate complex situations with confidence and professionalism.You will play a vital role in ensuring legal compliance, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture, that supports employee well-being and drives organizational success.

As a strategic and tactical liaison, the HR Business Partner serves as a key link between business leaders and the HR department.This involves aligning departmental strategies with HR programs, ensuring effective employee lifecycle management, and driving organizational effectiveness.This position will report into the HR Director and can be located in:Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Century City, San Diego or Seattle.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and direct human resource initiatives to include talent management, employee relations, workforce engagement and workforce development to support the achievement of business outcomes.
• Partner with business leadership to proactively diagnose and identify future people-related business needs and translate into achievable action plans. Advise management on related risk, balancing legal requirements with business requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on employee relations matters, such as performance management, employee engagement, and conflict resolution.
• Partner with HR Centers of Excellence to manage core HR processes and programs in support of business goals. Leverage shared service teams to enable execution of day-to-day human resource functions and maximize the effectiveness of HR delivery. Maintain broad influence through ongoing development of internal relationships across the organization.
• Engage in key business initiatives involving the design of organizational development strategies to enhance business performance through the facilitation of reorganization efforts, change management strategies and/or cultural alignment activities as needed. Oversee communication and change management efforts, ensuring a culture that enables employee development through effective information sharing at all levels of the organization.
• EnsurecompliancewithWilsonSonsinipolicies,processesandpractices.Keepcurrentonfederal,stateandlocalemploymentpracticesandlaborlaws.
• Use analytics to identify trends, make data-driven decisions, and measure the effectiveness of HR programs and initiatives.
• Perform other duties & responsibilities as assigned.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• 7+ years in human resources function: HR generalist or HR business partner.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong influencing, problem solving, analytical, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Must have the ability to anticipate problems or challenges and be flexible in solving them.
• Proactive and positive thinker who is able to exercise good judgment, effective communication, and takes initiative.
• Professional demeanor and ability to use discretion when dealing with confidential matters.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience using Workday.
• Experience facilitating presentations in group settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to partner and collaborate with HR teams.
• Attention to detail with the ability to effectively handle multiple priorities.
  

The primary location for this job posting is in Palo Alto, but other locations may be listed. The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location. The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows:San Francisco and Silicon Valley: $131,750 - $178,250 per yearAustin, Boston, Boulder, District of Columbia, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Seattle, and Wilmington: $119,000 - $161,000 per yearSalt Lake City and all other locations: $105,400 - $142,600 per year

The compensation for this position may include a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits information can be found here . Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

For more information about careers at Wilson Sonsini, visit:

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance them. We represent more than 300 public enterprises and 3,000 private companies in a wide range of today’s cutting-edge industries, from AI and fintech to life sciences and mobility .

For more than 60 years, our attorneys and professional staff have created a unique working environment. With deep roots in the fast-paced and innovative world of Silicon Valley, the firm fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and team-oriented approach for all employees, providing professional and personal development opportunities and encouraging all departments to promote a stable and optimal work/life balance.

Wilson Sonsini is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce globally. We have built a culture in which employees of all backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences are encouraged and empowered to achieve their maximum potential. Our firm is consistently recognized among the top law firms in annual diversity rankings. For example, W ilson Sonsini ranked No. 2 among firms with more than 600 attorneys in Law360’s 2023 Diversity Snapshot. Additionally, in 2024, for the sixth consecutive year, Wilson Sonsini achieved Mansfield Plus Certification, and in 2023, for the fourth consecutive year, the firm achieved a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.

We are also dedicated to enhancing the communities in which we live and work by providing legal services, financial support, and volunteer services to worthy agencies and individuals in need. In 2023, Wilson Sonsini attorneys and staff provided more than 95,000 pro bono hours. and participated in more than 140 community service projects. The Wilson Sonsini Foundation contributed nearly $2 million to almost 120 law-related organizations and nearly 160 community organizations in 2023.

Wilson Sonsini has 17 offices in 17 technology and business hubs worldwide.