Senior HR Business Partner

Zoo Careers; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

11 paid holidays

4 personal holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Tuition reimbursement

Free zoo membership after 90 days

Staff parking and discounts

Job summary

Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is seeking a Senior Human Resources Business Partner to align people strategy with business goals in a hybrid work environment.

As a trusted advisor to leaders, you will handle labor relations, performance management, organizational design, and workforce planning while ensuring compliance and an inclusive workplace. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least six years of HR experience, with preference for nonprofit or mission-driven settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Minimum six (6) years of progressively responsible HR experience.
• Minimum three (3) years supporting employee relations, manager consultation, and workplace investigations.
• Experience partnering with leaders on strategic workforce and organizational initiatives.
• Experience supporting organizational change, workforce planning, and talent management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, with discretion for sensitive matters.
• Must live and work in Washington State.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic People & Culture partner to managers and department leaders.
• Lead complex employee and labor relations matters, including investigations and policy interpretation.
• Coach and develop employees and managers on performance management and engagement.
• Drive organizational effectiveness and change initiatives through workforce planning and culture programs.
• Ensure compliance and support cross-functional People & Culture projects with analytics and policy development.

Skills

Trusted Advisor

Employee Relations Expert

Collaborative Consultant

Balanced Partner

Data-Informed Strategist

Culture Champion

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / Business or related field

Job description

Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Title: Senior Human Resources Business Partner Salary & FLSA: $92,081.60 - $138,132.80 per year; FLSA Exempt

OPENING DATE: 10/22/26 CLOSING DATE: 11/5/26 - This position may close early if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-Time UNION: Non-Represented OPENINGS: 1 LOCATION: Hybrid (on-site at least 3 days per week and remote 2 days) DEPARTMENT: People & Culture

HOW DO YOU ZOO?

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what's at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, "To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives." Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE

As our new Senior Human Resources Business Partner, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• Trusted Advisor: Builds strong partnerships with leaders and employees, guiding decisions that advance business priorities while supporting a positive and equitable employee experience.
• Employee Relations Expert: Navigates complex workplace issues, investigations, union grievances, performance concerns, and conflict resolution with fairness, empathy, sound judgment, and organizational needs in mind.
• Collaborative Consultant: Partners with leaders and employees on workforce planning, organizational design, and change initiatives that strengthen business outcomes and help people succeed through change.
• Balanced Partner: Weighs organizational goals, operational realities, and employee perspectives to develop practical solutions while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and compliance.
• Data-Informed Strategist: Uses workforce metrics and employee insights to recommend actions that improve engagement, retention, organizational performance, and the overall employee experience.
• Culture Champion: Fosters an inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace where employees can thrive and contribute their best toward the zoo’s mission and business priorities.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a strategic People & Culture partner to managers and department leaders, providing consultation on workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, and talent development.
• Lead complex employee and labor relations matters, including investigations, grievances, corrective actions, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation.
• Coach and develop employees and managers on performance management, accountability, communication, leadership effectiveness, and employee engagement strategies.
• Drive organizational effectiveness and change initiatives, supporting restructures, department transitions, workforce planning, and culture-enhancing programs.
• Ensure compliance and support continuous improvement through employment law guidance, workforce analytics, policy development, and cross-functional People & Culture projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible human resources experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years supporting employee relations, manager consultation, and workplace investigations.
• Demonstrated experience partnering directly with leaders on strategic workforce and organizational initiatives.
• Experience supporting organizational change, workforce planning, and talent management efforts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt communication based on audience and situation.
• Strong consultation, coaching, influencing, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of an organization and maintain discretion with sensitive matters.
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, SPHR, PHR, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience supporting collective bargaining and labor relations activities.
• Professional coaching certification or leadership development experience.
• Experience in a nonprofit, zoological, museum, conservation, educational, or other mission-driven organization.
• Ability to speak a language in addition to English.

BENEFITS

The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for employees and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free zoo membership after 90 days
• Complimentary zoo tickets and employee discounts
• Free staff parking
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

SELECTION PROCESS

Application: The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.

Screening: Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be invited to participate in interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check.

Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.