Senior HR Business Partner

001 University of Rochester; United States; On-site; USD 87,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rochester’s Human Resources team is seeking experienced Senior HR Business Partners across the Medical Center and River Campus. You will serve as a trusted advisor to department leadership, balancing strategic HR partnership with hands-on employee relations support, guiding complex personnel matters and aligning employee needs with organizational priorities.

You will partner across HR functions, coach leaders and navigate ambiguity while upholding equitable, inclusive practices

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in large, complex organizations.
• Strong employee relations expertise handling sensitive personnel matters.
• Proven ability to advise leaders on strategic and operational HR challenges.
• Bachelor's degree; master's degree preferred.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, or unionized environments may be relevant.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership: advise and influence department leaders on workforce planning, organizational challenges, talent management, and HR initiatives.
• Employee Relations: navigate investigations, conflict resolution, performance management, and risk mitigation.
• Collaboration: partner across HR functions to address business needs.
• Relationship Building: establish trusted partnerships with leaders and employees, providing guidance and coaching.
• Critical Thinking: navigate ambiguity and balance priorities to support employees and the organization.
• Equity & Inclusion: promote fair, consistent HR practices and foster an inclusive workplace culture.

Skills

Strategic HR partnership

Employee relations

Communication

Conflict resolution

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Location (Full Address): 220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening: Work Shift: UR - Day (United States of America) Range: Compensation Range: $86,900.00 - $130,300.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities: The Human Resources team at the University of Rochester leads strategic HR initiatives and workforce solutions that support the University's academic, research, and clinical missions. We serve as trusted partners to leaders and employees across the institution, helping navigate complex challenges, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and support a thriving workplace.

The Role:

Senior Human Resources Business Partner We're seeking experienced Senior HR Business Partners to join our team, with multiple opportunities across the University of Rochester Medical Center and River Campus. In this role, you'll serve as a trusted advisor to department leadership, balancing strategic HR partnership with hands‑on employee relations support. You'll navigate complex personnel matters, coach and influence leaders, and develop practical solutions that align employee needs with organizational priorities. Our HR Business Partners support large, diverse employee populations and work closely with HR Centers of Excellence to deliver integrated solutions across the University.

What You'll Do:

• Strategic Partnership: Advise and influence department leaders on workforce planning, organizational challenges, talent management, and strategic HR initiatives.
• Employee Relations: Navigate complex employee matters, including investigations, conflict resolution, performance management, and risk mitigation.
• Collaboration: Partner across HR functions, including Employee Relations, Labor Relations, Compensation, Leave Administration, and Learning & Development, to address business needs.
• Relationship Building: Establish trusted partnerships with leaders and employees, providing thoughtful guidance and coaching through sensitive situations.
• Critical Thinking: Navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and develop practical solutions that support both employees and the organization.
• Equity & Inclusion: Promote fair, consistent HR practices and contribute to a respectful, inclusive workplace culture.

What We're Looking For:

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably within a large, complex or matrixed organization
• Strong employee relations expertise, including experience independently navigating complex and sensitive personnel matters
• Demonstrated success building trusted relationships and advising leaders on strategic and operational HR challenges
• Sound judgment, resourcefulness, and the ability to navigate situations where the right path forward isn't always clear
• Strong communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; master's degree preferred
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, or unionized environments may be particularly relevant depending on the assignment but is not required across all openings.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better. If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals. At the University of Rochester, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture and are united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.