Sr Human Resources Business Partner

Sr. HR Business Partner

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: VP, Human Resources

Highlights for Children is universally recognized as the leading producer of entertaining and educational content for children, families, and teachers. Our diverse portfolio of products and experiences extends from direct to consumer as well as classroom solutions and crosses the spectrum of media, including print, broadcast and digital. For over 75 years we have been helping children become the best selves by creating content and experiences that engage, delight, and foster joyful learning.

The HR team is instrumental in the growth and evolution of Highlights. Our mission is to support every member of the Highlights community in becoming their best selves, by creating and fostering a high-performance culture and climate, that people aspire to join, where they desire to grow and choose to stay. The Sr. HRBP partners extensively with business unit leaders to execute a talent strategy that helps achieve business outcomes and organizational objectives. This role is responsible for talent lifecycle support for all employees in their assigned business unit(s). While strategic in nature, this role will also handle all operational tasks in support of these objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• With key stakeholders and other members of the HRBP team, partner to execute the Highlights enterprise talent strategy.
• In partnership with business unit leaders, execute a talent strategy that supports the strategic growth initiatives of that business unit(s).
• Develop authentic, credible and influential relationships with key members of the business unit, in order to develop and maximize the organizational capabilities required to meet business objectives.
• Serve as coach and trusted advisor on all people related issues to business unit leadership team. Mitigate risk and reinforce compliance where appropriate.
• Support key elements of the talent lifecycle within the business unit: performance feedback, talent development and management, workforce and compensation planning, organization design and culture and climate shaping.
• Partner with HR team and business unit leaders to acquire and retain diverse talent that continues to elevate the performance and productivity of the business unit.
• In partnership with HR team and business leaders, support programs that build individual and organization capability, foster employee retention and contribute to a high-performance culture.
• Take an active lead in championing organizational change.
• Develop and grow positive partnerships with the entire HR team, acting as a model for the culture and climate we aspire to create.

What you should show up ready to teach anyone on your first day:

• Expertise as a point of contact and advisor to the assigned departments in the following areas: employee relations, training, performance management, onboarding, policy development and implementation, compensation, affirmative action and employment law compliance.
• Partnership with business leaders to provide appropriate HR resources, organization development solutions, guidance, and support to further successful, productive performance within the departments.
• Ability to collaborate with other colleagues and HR staff to foster a spirit of teamwork, sharing professional knowledge, expertise and best practices.
• Coach and counsel management on employee relations issues to ensure consistent, appropriate interpretation and application of company HR policies and procedures.

Within your first month, you’ll:

• Be responsible for certain aspects of internal employee communication and other talent lifecycle processes.
• Function as an HR advisor and thought leader on hiring and the selection of talent.
• Manage and drive assigned corporate-wide projects as determined in the HR planning process and participate in functional and cross-functional initiatives.
• Facilitate HR procedures and programs, providing proactive guidance and training to managers and staff as needed to ensure appropriate compliance, reporting and/or follow through including: onboarding, performance reviews, position changes, exit interviews.

Within your first year, you’ll:

• Be responsible for workforce planning, including current and future staffing planning, within departments.
• In partnership with management, proactively identify development, promotion and/or training needs and strategize on appropriate solutions to enable high performing individuals and teams.
• Support change management related to the implementation of organizational effectiveness solutions.
• Play a role in creating and executing talent management and leadership development solutions.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent coaching, consulting and influence skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of human resource management experience required.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.