Senior HR Business Partner

Harvard University; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Health insurance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Harvard Law School seeks a Senior HR Business Partner to provide strategic HR consulting to the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, the Institutional Data Initiative, and the Library Innovation Lab. You will collaborate with leadership to align HR policies with school objectives, design organization structures, and guide workforce planning.

Responsibilities include talent acquisition leadership, complex employee relations, and coaching managers to foster inclusion and performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 8 years HR experience.
• Demonstrated experience as an HR Business Partner in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Sr. HR business partner to BKC, IDI, LIL and other clients, providing strategic guidance.
• Partner with leadership to align HR policies with school and university priorities.
• Lead talent acquisition strategy and execution for diverse, high-quality pipelines.
• Advise leaders on employee relations, performance, and organizational development.

Skills

HR strategy

Organizational design

Talent management

Employee relations

Leadership coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Master’s degree and/or HR certification desirable

Job description

• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 059
• Department: Human Resources
• FLSA Status: Exempt

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 Harvard Law School?

Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.

Job Description

As part of the Human Resources team at Harvard Law School (HLS), the Senior HR Business Partner (Sr. HRBP) provides responsive, strategic, and transparent human resources consulting services to leaders and employees across the School’s organizations. This position will serve as the primary HR partner to the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society (BKC), the Institutional Data Initiative (IDI), and the Library Innovation Lab (LIL).

BKC, IDI, and LIL are innovative research centers operating at the intersection of law, technology, information, and knowledge. Their work involves highly interdisciplinary teams, including faculty, researchers, engineers, technologists, librarians, staff, students, fellows, affiliates, and other specialized professionals. The Sr. HRBP will help ensure that HR strategies, practices, and support are appropriately tailored to these varied populations and aligned with the groups’ academic, research, operational, and strategic objectives.

As a Senior HR Business Partner, you will:

• Serve as the Sr. HR business partner to BKC, IDI, LIL, and other clients, providing tailored strategic guidance and operational support based on each group’s mission, organizational structure, workforce composition, and evolving priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the leadership while ensuring alignment with HLS and University-wide HR policies, practices, and priorities.
• Partner with leadership teams to navigate ambiguity and rapid scaling through organizational design, talent acquisition, professional development, change management, and employee engagement.
• Establish and cultivate partnerships with client groups to enable proactive planning and collaboration on operational and strategic initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen HR practices and promote consistency, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing across BKC, IDI, LIL, and other research and technology focused groups while respecting the distinct missions and operating models of each organization.
• Lead talent acquisition strategy and execution including sourcing, selection, onboarding, and building diverse, high-quality talent pipelines aligned with business needs.
• Guide and support leaders in resolution of complex employee relations concerns, performance management, team development, retention, and compensation.
• Advise and counsel on best practices and approaches, presenting options for achieving desired results.
• Actively partner with managers, staff, and bargaining unit representatives to strategically address workplace challenges, deliver tangible value, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Share responsibility for our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant HR experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have:

• Master’s degree in relevant field and/or professional HR certification is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience as an HR Business Partner in a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment, research institute, or startup-like organization;
• Demonstrated consultative agility in supporting leaders through changing priorities and organizational evolution, moving between organizational design, workforce planning, team effectiveness, role clarity, change management, and practical coaching on individual and team matters;
• Solid financial/business acumen with advanced knowledge of employment law and HR policies and practices;
• Ability to operationalize business strategy through effective management of people, programs, and activities;
• The ability to build and cultivate relationships and work collaboratively in a multi discipline and multi stakeholder environment;
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills with a focus on productive outcomes, and client service excellence.

Additional Information

Appointment End Date:This is a two-year term appointment, with the potential for renewal, subject to departmental funding and need.

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time.

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal

Other Information:

All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.

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 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

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.