Senior Human Resources Business Partner

The University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks a Senior HR Business Partner to lead and mentor a team of HR professionals within assigned units, delivering high-quality service and continuous improvement. You will partner with senior leaders to shape HR strategy, enhance employee engagement, and align programs with university goals, while ensuring compliance and workforce planning.

This on-site role requires strong expertise in employee relations, staffing, benefits, and change management,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field.
• Experience managing employee relations matters with equitable outcomes.
• Experience coaching managers on employee relations and resolution strategies.

Responsibilities

• Supports HR transformation initiatives and strategic planning, aligning with university goals.
• Leads HR strategy for assigned units and collaborates with senior leadership.
• Provides guidance on recruitment, onboarding, compensation, and employee engagement.
• Drives succession planning and workforce retention with measurable impact.
• Assists in regulatory compliance and resolution of HR issues escalated from staff.

Skills

Strategic HR

Employee relations

Leadership coaching

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

PHR/SHRM-CP certification

Job description

Title:

Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Executive Area:

Human Resources

College/School/MBU:

Human Resources

Department:

Office of Human Resources

Work Location:

Amherst

Schedule:

Full Time

Work Arrangement:

Onsite

Job Summary

The Senior Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) supervises and mentors a team of HR professionals in assigned business unit(s), ensuring high-quality service delivery and continuous improvement. The Senior HRBP develops and implements HR strategies that foster a positive organizational culture, improve employee engagement, and support the goals of the business unit(s).

Essential Functions

• Supports HR transformation initiatives and the strategic planning process, driving change and ensuring alignment with the University's strategic plan. Influences senior leadership and key stakeholders within a centralized embedded services model to achieve organizational goals.
• Develops a thorough knowledge and understanding of assigned business unit(s) including their leadership structure, culture, and organizational objectives. Takes the lead role in driving HR strategy, setting priorities, and ensuring the efficient execution of HR programs and processes. Partners with senior leadership within the unit(s) to create short- and long-term strategic plans.
• Provides expert guidance to managers and employees on a comprehensive range of HR matters, including but not limited to recruitment, benefits, onboarding, compensation, employee engagement, training and development, HR administration, labor and employee relations, and talent management. Assumes a leadership role in addressing and resolving highly complex HR issues escalated from direct reports, ensuring effective and efficient resolution.
• Creates long-term staffing plans to optimize the organizational structure of the department. Develops and supports succession planning efforts. Establishes and maintains effective programs for workforce retention and promotions, with clear metrics to measure program success and impact on employee satisfaction and engagement.
• Manages the employee exit process including the strategic analysis of exit interview data for faculty and staff. Assesses trends, creates retention strategies, and provides recommendations to leadership with the goal of improving the employment life cycle.
• Remains current on employment law and compliance and participates as required in MCAD and EEO issue resolution including the conduct of investigations. Assures HR functions are performed effectively and efficiently and comply with regulatory standards and university policies.
• Leads collaborative initiatives with HR business centers and campus leadership to develop and integrate strategic HR solutions that address complex organizational needs and advance institutional priorities.
• Maintains on-site presence to remain closely aligned with division-specific priorities and workflows.

Other Functions

• May supervise employees as HR shared services model evolves.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and eight (8) years of progressive human resources experience.
• Senior-level experience with managing employee relations matters, ensuring equitable, consistent, and defensible outcomes.
• Experience coaching and developing managers on employee relations best practices, conflict management approaches, and resolution strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field.
• Higher education campus operations, facilities, auxiliary, or public-sector experience.
• Strong background in employee relations, investigations, and/or unionized environments.
• Active HR certification (i.e. PHR, SHRM-CP).

Additional Details

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm.

Salary Information

Pay Grade:PSSAP Grade 31

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Special Instructions for Applicants

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.