Human Resources Business Partner I/II - Office of Human Resources

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bus pass

Family concierge

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Health/dental/vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s Office of Human Resources seeks an HR Business Partner I or II to deliver strategic guidance and hands-on HR support to designated academic and administrative units. You will partner with senior leaders, collaborating across HR disciplines to drive workforce planning, performance management, recruitment, onboarding, and continuous improvement.

This role emphasizes employee relations, coaching managers, and fostering an open, inclusive workplace while delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, or related field required.
• Five years of related HR experience with at least one year in employee relations for HRBP I; five years with at least three years in employee relations for HRBP II.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations: Assess and resolve employee relations matters; guide leaders on action plans and engagement strategies.
• Performance Management: Coach managers on supervision, feedback, development, and performance cycles; advise on improvement and disciplinary actions.
• Community and Culture: Foster a positive workplace culture and sense of belonging for faculty, staff, and students.
• Workforce Planning: Lead workforce planning across client groups; design organizational models aligned with long-term goals.
• Recruitment, Onboarding, and Offboarding: Collaborate on staffing, onboarding, and exit discussions.
• Training: Build manager and employee capabilities through coaching and learning initiatives.
• Operational and Continuous Improvement: Use workforce analytics to provide insights and drive process improvements; mentor HR Generalists.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Talent acquisition

Organizational design

Change management

Total rewards

Learning and development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration / HR

Tools

Workday

Job description

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) at Carnegie Mellon University is committed to supporting faculty and staff success through every stage of their careers. In alignment with CMU’s Strategic Plan, we drive efficient, effective, and adaptable business practices for an evolving university community. We recruit and retain top-tier talent while fostering a supportive workplace culture focused on employee engagement, continuous growth, and professional development.

We are searching for an HR Business Partner I or HR Business Partner II to join our team.

In this role, you will deliver both strategic guidance and tactical execution for designated academic and/or administrative units, assisting with key HR processes to provide a seamless employee experience. Serving as a trusted HR advisor, you will build strong collaborative relationships with senior executives, college/division leaders, and employees at all levels to drive organizational success.

Core Responsibilities Will Include

• Employee Relations - Assess and resolve employee relations matters. Guide leaders on appropriate courses of action, identify trends, design strategies to improve engagement, and advocate for employees’ concerns.
• Performance Management - Coach managers on effective supervision, continuous feedback and professional development, and navigating a broad range of performance conversations. Lead organizational performance review cycles and provide expert guidance on performance improvement strategies and disciplinary processes.
• Community and Culture– Champion HR solutions that foster an open, positive, and dynamic workplace. Foster a sense of belonging across the university by creating an environment where all faculty, staff, and students feel respected, supported, and positioned to do their best work.
• Workforce Planning - Drive workforce planning initiatives across client groups by evaluating current team structures, skills, and capacity. Partner with leaders to design optimal organizational models that support long-term goals.
• Recruitment, Onboarding, and Offboarding - Partner with Talent Acquisition on staffing strategies, equip managers with onboarding resources and conduct exit discussions.
• Training - Build manager and employee capabilities through training and individual coaching; partner with internal HR groups to deliver customized learning programs.
• Operational and Continuous Improvement - Leverage workforce analytics (engagement, retention, attrition) to deliver actionable insights to leadership; collaborate with HR functional partners (Talent Acquisition, Compensation and Benefits, Learning and Development, Equal Opportunity Services) to provide integrated client support; lead continuous process improvements; and mentor HR Generalists to elevate team performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies And Qualifications

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong working knowledge across core HR disciplines, including employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition, organizational design, change management, total rewards, and learning and development.
• Collaborative and service-oriented leadership skills with a track record of building strong partnerships across all organizational levels.
• Executive presence, with the ability to communicate effectively with leadership, navigate complex situations, and positively influence organizational change.
• Strong sense of urgency with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills to explore alternatives, solve complex problems, and make sound decisions.
• Uncompromising commitment to confidentiality, high attention to detail, and sound judgment.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, or related field required (advanced degree preferred).
• HR Business Partner I: Minimum of five years of related HR experience, including at least one year of dedicated employee relations experience.
• HR Business Partner II: Minimum of five years of related HR experience, including at least three years of dedicated employee relations experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred Experience

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP certification.
• Experience in a complex, matrixed organization with decentralized processes.
• Experience using Workday or related HRIS platforms.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a background check.
• Sponsorship: Applicants must be currently authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or transfer employment visas for this position.

Additional Information

• Work Posture:
  • Through December 31, 2026: 3 days on-site / 2 days remote.
  • Effective January 4, 2027: 4 days on-site / 1 day remote.
  • Note: Remote work must be done within the Greater Pittsburgh region.

Compensation & Benefits

Joining CMU opens the door to a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement programs; tuition benefits; generous paid time off and holidays; and life and disability insurance. Learn more at: https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/benefits-at-a-glance.

When extending offers, CMU considers the full package: role responsibilities, relevant work experience, education, key skills, and geographic differentials.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

HR Services and Operations

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
• Statement of Assurance