Human Resources Business Partner

Gensler; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k)

Profit sharing

Employee stock ownership

Job summary

Gensler is seeking an innovative HR Business Partner for the Southeast Region, based in Washington, DC. You will partner with leadership to deliver comprehensive HR services, talent development, and strategic workforce initiatives in a client‑facing, collaborative environment.

You will drive full employee lifecycle activities, advise on talent strategy, manage mobility programs, and leverage analytics to inform decisions, while fostering an engaging, inclusive culture across the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related area required.
• 10+ years of HR experience; 3+ years at manager level.
• Experience in a professional services firm preferred (e.g. architecture, design, engineering, accounting, law).
• Working knowledge of employment law and compliance at federal, state and local levels.
• Excellent organizational skills; attention to detail.
• Advanced MS Office proficiency, especially Excel/PowerPoint; InDesign a plus.
• Experience with Workday preferred.
• Ability to deliver timely results in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; ability to speak to groups.
• PHR/SPHR certification or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic partner to studio and office leadership, aligning HR strategies with goals.
• Drive full employee lifecycle including onboarding, engagement, development, and retirement.
• Advise leadership on talent management, role alignment, compensation, rewards and policies.
• Oversee talent needs and succession planning with internal/external candidates as needed.
• Facilitate global mobility, visas, relocations with compliance in mind.
• Leverage HR analytics to inform data-driven talent decisions.
• Develop and implement performance management and staff development initiatives.
• Collaborate with Talent Development to design training programs.
• Partner with HR colleagues to innovate HR practices and programs.
• Support leadership in fostering engagement and belonging.

Skills

Strategic HR

Talent management

Employee relations

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

MS Office

Excel

PowerPoint

InDesign

Job description

Description

At Gensler, we design for people. We leverage our global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. We’re not just designers. We’re tinkerers, craftspeople, visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. Fueled by passion and entrepreneurial spirit, our people bring new ideas to solve the world’s most challenging problems, like designing a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable future for our communities and cities.

Your Role

Gensler’s Southeast Region is seeking an innovative and strategic HR Business Partner to join our regional HR team, reporting to the Regional HR Director. This role partners directly with team members and leadership, delivering comprehensive human resources, talent management, and talent development services. The position offers a unique opportunity to design, lead, and advance forward‑thinking HR initiatives that align with business objectives, foster a culture of engagement and inclusion, and drive success in a cutting‑edge, client‑focused environment.

This role is not remote; we look forward to working with our new HR Business Partner in our Washington, D.C. office.

What You Will Do

• Act as a strategic partner to studio and office leadership to align HR strategies with organizational goals, providing forward‑thinking insights to drive business outcomes;
• Drive the full employee lifecycle from onboarding, engagement, development, exit, and retirement, ensuring a seamless and high‑quality employee experience;
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership to identify and coordinate appropriate and effective strategies related to talent management, role alignment, compensation, rewards and recognition, human resource policies and procedures, and other HR functions;
• Oversee the assessment of talent needs, ensuring roles are filled with top‑tier internal or external candidates through strategic workforce planning;
• Facilitate global mobility initiatives, including employee transfers, relocations, and visa processing, while ensuring compliance with local and global regulations;
• Leverage HR analytics, reports, and metrics to deliver actionable insights and inform data‑driven talent decisions that align with business priorities;
• Analyze talent trends to anticipate challenges and proactively recommend strategies to enhance workforce effectiveness;
• Partner with leadership to develop and implement performance management tools, succession planning frameworks, and proactive staff development initiatives to build a future‑ready workforce;
• Collaborate with the Talent Development team to design and deliver innovative training programs and career development opportunities;
• Partner with HR colleagues to innovate and elevate HR practices and programs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and forward‑thinking solutions;
• Collaborate with shared services teams to deliver best‑in‑class people solutions, ensuring HR processes are efficient, employee‑centric, and aligned with organizational goals;
• Support leadership in fostering a culture of engagement, recognition, and belonging, ensuring all employees feel valued and supported.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related area required;
• 10+ years of Human Resources experience; (3+ years at manager level);
• Experience working for a professional services firm is strongly preferred (e.g. architecture, design, engineering, accounting, law, etc.);
• Working knowledge of employment law and compliance regulations at federal, state and local levels;
• Excellent organizational skills; attention to detail;
• Advanced MS Office proficiency preferred, particularly Excel/Power Point; In‑Design, a plus;
• Experience with Workday preferred;
• Ability to produce timely deliverables and manage multiple and shifting priorities in a dynamic environment;
• Ability to work independently, navigate and maintain productivity in a matrix environment;
• Develops and maintains strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to speak comfortably and professionally to individuals and groups;
• Strong customer service orientation, a team player with the ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships;
• PHR/SPHR certification or equivalent preferred;
• The estimated base salary range is $110 - $150k, plus eligibility for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, with final compensation contingent on relevant experience. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler.

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best‑in‑class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well‑being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state and local law.

Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E‑verify program, as required by law. Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should email [e-mail].