Lead HR Business Partner

Natera; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits (medical, dental, etc)

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO & holidays

Wellness & work-life benefits

Job summary

Natera seeks a Lead HR Business Partner with deep Employee Relations expertise to advise leaders, conduct investigations, and support a fast-paced, regulated lab environment. You’ll split time between ER and broader HR partnership, traveling ~15% and working on-site in Austin, TX or San Carlos, CA.

You will shape programs for engagement, onboarding, offboarding, and talent development, while ensuring compliance with CA and federal laws and supporting both exempt and non-exempt staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Education, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years as an HR Business Partner in biotech, life sciences, or high-tech environment.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading workplace investigations from intake through resolution.
• Strong working knowledge of California and federal employment law.
• Experience supporting both exempt and non-exempt populations.

Responsibilities

• ER: advise, coach, and resolve complex workplace issues for managers and employees.
• Lead compliant investigations with legal counsel and manage risk.
• Analyze ER trends and root causes to propose solutions.
• Partner with HR leadership to reinforce a respectful, inclusive culture.

Skills

Employee relations

Leadership coaching

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Location: Austin, TX or San Carlos, CA

Reports to: Sr. Director of Human Resources

About The Role

Natera is looking for a Lead HR Business Partner with deep Employee Relations expertise to serve as both a strategic advisor and a hands‑on partner to our business. You will spend more than half your time on employee relations: advising leaders, conducting investigations, and resolving complex issues, while also shaping people programs that support a high‑performing, inclusive, and accountable culture. You will support a mix of lab‑based and office‑based teams, so you’ll need to be comfortable working on‑site with employees in a fast‑paced, regulated lab environment.

What You’ll Do

Employee Relations (50%+ of role)

• Serve as the primary ER resource for managers and employees, providing advice, coaching, and resolution on complex workplace issues
• Lead thorough, compliant investigations in partnership with internal legal counsel, and manage associated risk
• Analyze ER trends and metrics to identify root causes and recommend solutions
• Partner with HR leadership to reinforce a culture of respect, inclusion, and accountability

HR Business Partnership

• Advise leaders on compensation, benefits, performance management, and team development
• Lead and support HR programs including engagement, onboarding, offboarding, talent development, and training
• Contribute to workforce planning, succession planning, and retention strategies
• Partner with recruiting and hiring managers to attract top talent, and participate in interviews as appropriate
• Assess development needs and coach managers and employees with actionable feedback
• Stay close to the employee experience through regular on‑site presence, monitoring engagement and acting on what you learn
• Identify and drive HR process improvements that raise functional excellence

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Education, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years as an HR Business Partner in a biotech, life sciences, or high‑tech environment
• Demonstrated experience independently leading workplace investigations from intake through resolution
• Strong working knowledge of California and federal employment law
• Experience supporting both exempt and non‑exempt populations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to travel approximately 15%

Preferred

• Experience supporting lab, manufacturing, or shift‑based workforces
• Experience with an HRIS or ATS (Workday, Greenhouse, or similar)
• PHR/SPHR/SHRM‑CP/SHRM‑SCP or investigation‑specific certification

Skills and Attributes

• Proven ability to coach and influence leaders at all levels
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn data into action plans
• Sound judgment and composure in sensitive, high‑stakes situations
• Ability to manage multiple overlapping projects independently in a fast‑paced environment
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
• Business acumen and a creative, solutions‑oriented approach to HR

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good‑faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

• Annual performance incentive bonus
• Long‑term equity awards
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work‑life benefits

Compensation Range

$140,000—$190,000 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell‑free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world‑class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

What We Offer

• Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/