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. 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. 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. Work Format Details 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. Benefits 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 Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page . 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. Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy . Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Requirements

Must-haves

As a Senior HR Business Partner, you will:
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.
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.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
Minimum of 8 years’ relevant HR experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills
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;
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.
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
All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.
Work Format Details

Nice-to-haves

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Benefits

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Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Professional Development