HR Partner

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Campus perks

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking an HR Partner within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences in Cambridge. The role provides comprehensive HR consulting, partners with division leaders, and drives workforce planning, organizational design, and talent development across the College.

You will advise on performance management, employee relations, policy interpretation, and risk mitigation while collaborating with central HR teams to deliver integrated HR solutions in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant HR experience.
• Advanced knowledge of employment law and HR policies; financial acumen.
• Experience advising and coaching managers on performance management and employee relations; investigations experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR partner to the Division of Arts and Humanities, building consultative relationships with leadership and faculty.
• Advise on workforce planning, organizational design, staffing models, and role structures.
• Translate FAS and departmental strategies into HR priorities and action plans.
• Partner with leaders on succession planning and retention strategies for key staff roles; collaborate with Talent Acquisition on hiring matters.
• Consult on performance management, career progression, and development planning; support change management during reorganizations or new initiatives.
• Advising managers on performance, conduct, and workplace climate; engaging employee relations and conduct specialists as needed.
• Interpret HR policies and CBAs; mitigate HR-related risks in collaboration with central HR.
• Collaborate with central HR centers of expertise to deliver coordinated HR solutions; represent FAS perspectives in institution-wide HR initiatives.
• Use HR data to inform recommendations; streamline processes and improve manager capability and employee experience.

Skills

HR strategy

Coaching managers

Relationship building

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job‑Specific Responsibilities:

The HR Partner is responsible for comprehensive human resources consulting services for a unit(s) or department(s). Provide leadership in change processes to create a culture of productivity and engagement. This role works closely with managers, and leaders to align people strategies with institutional goals and priorities. This role provides advanced guidance on workforce planning, organizational design, performance coaching, talent planning, and complex employee relations issues.

Strategic Partnership & Workforce Planning

• Serve as the primary HR partner to the Division of Arts and Humanities, building strong, consultative relationships with leadership and faculty.
• Advises on workforce planning, organizational design, staffing models, and role structures
• Translate FAS and departmental strategies into HR priorities and action plans.

Talent Management & Organizational Development

• Partner with leaders on succession planning and retention strategies for key staff roles.
• Partner with FAS Talent Acquisition on relevant hiring matters within client groups
• Consult on performance management, career progression, and development planning for staff.
• Support change management efforts associated with reorganizations, new initiatives, or process changes within the College

Employee Relations & Culture

• Serve as a first‑line advisor to managers on performance, conduct, and workplace climate matters, engaging employee relations and conduct specialists as needed.
• Help identify and address patterns related to morale, engagement, and climate; recommend and help implement interventions.

HR Policy, Compliance & Risk Management

• Interpret and apply HR policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements in the FAS context, ensuring consistent and equitable practices.
• Consult with central HR on policy questions, complex leaves, accommodations, and classification/compensation issues as needed
• Monitor HR-related risks and propose mitigation strategies.

Collaboration & HR Service Integration

• Partner with central HR centers of expertise (e.g., Compensation, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Employee/Labor Relations) to deliver coordinated HR solutions
• Serve as a connector between FAS leadership and FAS HR leadership, ensuring FAS perspectives are represented in institution‑wide HR initiatives.

Data, Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Use HR data and metrics (e.g., turnover, vacancy, time‑to‑fill, engagement survey results) to inform recommendations and track progress.
• Identify opportunities to streamline HR processes, improve manager capability, and enhance employee experience
• Partner with internal Compensation team to manage compensation administration including salary setting, internal equity, classifications, annual merit increase, and bonus processes

Working Conditions:

• Hybrid position based in Cambridge, MA

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant HR experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of employment law and HR policies and practices; financial/business acumen
• Demonstrated experience with the administration of bargaining unit policies and procedures
• Experience advising and coaching managers on performance management and employee relations
• Experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain, report on, and navigate complex matters with constituents
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of strategic engagements in a complex, decentralized environment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to work with a broad range of constituents
• Experience working in a unionized environment highly desirable
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS applications and analytics
• Demonstrated commitment to building and sustaining productive relationships and the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Strong track record of providing timely and responsive consultation, aligning HR services and programs with organizational initiatives and goals.
• Exceptional communication skills (writing, oral, and listening) and customer service skills.
• Practices evidence-based decision making supported by data and analytics to provide strategic and effective HR services and programs.
• Builds trust and credibility at all levels internally and externally.
• Holds sensitive information in confidence, makes sound recommendations, and exercises professional judgment and discretion.
• Works independently with initiative and also effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non‑Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard‑designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work‑life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

EEO/Non‑Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non‑discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non‑discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.