Senior HR Partner

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Parental leave

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance / professional dev.

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences seeks a Senior HR Partner to act as a strategic partner and consultant, aligning workforce planning, organizational design, and talent development with institutional goals for the undergraduate College. You’ll guide performance coaching, employee relations, and change management across a complex, decentralized environment.

In this hybrid Cambridge-based role, you’ll collaborate with College leadership and central HR to deliver coordinated HR

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant HR experience.
• Experience in strategic HR consulting for leadership and organizational change.
• Experience advising and coaching managers on performance management and employee relations.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage high-volume strategic engagements in a complex, decentralized environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR partner for Harvard College, aligning people strategies with institutional goals.
• Advise on workforce planning, organizational design, staffing models and role structures.
• Collaborate on succession planning, retention strategies, and development planning for staff.
• Advise managers on performance management, coaching, and employee relations issues.
• Interpret and apply HR policies, stay compliant with union agreements, and advise on leaves and classifications.
• Partner with central HR to deliver coordinated HR solutions and manage data-driven improvements.

Skills

Strategic HR consulting

Leadership coaching

Employee relations

Performance management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community thatadvances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways,inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills andexpertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcomingenvironment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart ofHarvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduateprogram (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all ofHarvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GraduateSchool of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athleticsand the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academicdepartments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a communityunparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest rangeof liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeksto foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and sharedcommitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from allmembers of our community and prepares the next generation ofleaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job-Specific Responsibilities

The Senior HR Partner serves as a strategic partner and consultantwithin Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, specificallysupporting the undergraduate College. This role works closely withthe College’s Dean for Administration and Finance, managers, andleaders within the College to align people strategies withinstitutional goals and priorities. This role provides advancedguidance on workforce planning, organizational design, performancecoaching, talent planning, and complex employee relationsissues.

Strategic Partnership & Workforce Planning

• Serve as the primary HR partner for the Harvard College,building strong, consultative relationships with leadership.
• Advises on workforce planning, organizational design, staffingmodels, and role structures
• Translate FAS and departmental strategies into HR prioritiesand action plans.

Talent Management & Organizational Development

• Partner with leaders on succession planning and retentionstrategies for key staff roles.
• Partner with FAS Talent Acquisition on relevant hiring matterswithin client groups
• Consult on performance management, career progression, anddevelopment planning for staff.
• Support change management efforts associated withreorganizations, new initiatives, or process changes within theCollege

Employee Relations & Culture

• Serve as a first-line advisor to managers on performance,conduct, and workplace climate matters
• Help identify and address patterns related to morale,engagement, and climate; recommend and help implementinterventions.

HR Policy, Compliance & Risk Management

• Interpret and apply HR policies, procedures, and collectivebargaining agreements in the FAS context, ensuring consistent andequitable practices.
• Consult with central HR on policy questions, complex leaves,accommodations, and classification/compensation issues asneeded
• Monitor HR-related risks and propose mitigationstrategies.

Collaboration & HR Service Integration

• Partner with central HR centers of expertise (e.g.,Compensation, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Employee/LaborRelations) to deliver coordinated HR solutions
• Serve as a connector between FAS leadership and FAS HRleadership, ensuring FAS perspectives are represented ininstitution-wide HR initiatives.

Data, Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Use HR data and metrics (e.g., turnover, vacancy, time-to-fill,engagement survey results) to inform recommendations and trackprogress.
• Identify opportunities to streamline HR processes, improvemanager capability, and enhance employee experience
• Partner with internal Compensation team to manage compensationadministration including salary setting, internal equity,classifications, annual merit increase, and bonus processes

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office setting
• Hybrid position based in Cambridge, MA

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

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

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible HR experiencewith a significant focus on strategic HR consulting forleadership
• Experience advising and coaching managers on performancemanagement and employee relations
• Experience conducting or supporting workplaceinvestigations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, includingthe ability to clearly explain, report on, and navigate complexmatters with constituents

• Proven ability to manage a high volume of strategic engagementsin a complex, decentralized environment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; abilityto work with a broad range of constituents
• Experience working in a unionized environment highlydesirable

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education,Criminal

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders thatsome of the duties and responsibilities can be effectivelyperformed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and locationwill be set by the department at its discretion and based uponoperational needs. When not working at a Harvard orHarvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions mustwork in a Harvard registered state in compliance with theUniversity’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 priorto employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view thecorresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage startingon day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuitionassistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & WellbeingPage.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talentfrom all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensureeveryone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our communityadvance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on thebasis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in theuniversity's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help allcommunity members participate fully in work and campus life freefrom harassment and discrimination.