Executive Director, HR Business Partnership & Client Services

University of Pennsylvania

2d•$170,000 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Pennsylvania is seeking an inaugural Executive Director, HR Business Partnership & Client Services to help shape the next chapter of Human Resources at Penn. Recognizing that the effectiveness of Human Resources depends on the quality, consistency, and strength of its partnerships across the institution, Penn has created this leadership role to strengthen how Human Resources partners with the University. Reporting directly to the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), the Executive Director will partner closely with the CHRO to advance the Division's strategic priorities by leading the evolution of Penn's HR Business Partnership model and client services organization. As a member of the Human Resources Senior Leadership Team, the Executive Director will build enterprise capability across Penn's HR community and foster a consistent, consultative approach to HR service delivery. This role will help ensure that Human Resources is recognized not only for operational excellence, but also for the strategic value it creates across the University. The Executive Director provides leadership for Penn's HR Business Partnership model and client services organization, translating the CHRO's strategic vision into a cohesive, high-performing operating model that delivers consistent, responsive, and consultative HR support across the University. This role also serves as the senior HR Business Partner for the Executive Vice President’s portfolio, establishing standards for service delivery and operational excellence, and providing strategic counsel on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, leadership, employee and labor relations, and organizational change. This role will ultimately strengthen how Human Resources partners with the University, developing organizational capability that enables Penn’s mission.

Requirements

A Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field and at least ten years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience, including leadership of enterprise HR Business Partner, client services, shared services, or comparable strategic HR functions (or equivalent combination of education and experience is required).
Demonstrated success partnering with senior executives to address organizational effectiveness, workforce strategy, leadership, and complex employee issues.
Experience leading and developing high-performing HR teams within large, highly matrixed, and decentralized organizations.
Broad knowledge of Human Resources disciplines, with the ability to integrate strategic priorities with effective service delivery and workforce solutions.
Demonstrated success leading organizational change, building organizational capability, and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.
Strong business acumen, executive presence, and the ability to influence, build consensus, and navigate complexity with sound judgment.
Experience leveraging workforce analytics, operational metrics, and data-informed insights to improve organizational effectiveness and decision-making.
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills, with the ability to establish credibility and trust across all levels of the organization.

Nice To Haves

SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or comparable professional certification.
Experience within higher education, academic medicine, healthcare, or another large, mission-driven, decentralized organization.
Experience leading HR transformation, organizational effectiveness, or enterprise service delivery initiatives.
Familiarity with Workday and modern HR technologies that support workforce analytics, employee experience, and service delivery.

Responsibilities

Partnering with the CHRO to implement and continuously strengthen Penn's enterprise HR Business Partnership model.
Building a high-performing community of HR Business Partners through coaching, professional development, and shared leading practices.
Serving as the senior HR Business Partner for the Executive Vice President’s portfolio, providing strategic counsel on workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, leadership, employee and labor relations, and organizational change.
Strengthening Human Resources' reputation by promoting consultative, data-informed, and client-centered practices throughout the HR organization.
Providing leadership for Penn's client services organization, including the continued evolution of the HR Solution Center.
Establishing service standards, governance, and performance expectations that promote consistency, accountability, and operational excellence.
Integrating the work of HR Business Partners, Centers of Excellence, and operational teams to deliver integrated HR solutions.
Championing innovation and operational excellence by simplifying processes, leveraging technology, and identifying opportunities to enhance the client experience.
Promoting a culture in which service excellence is viewed not simply as responsiveness, but as the delivery of strategic value to the University community.
Partnering with the CHRO
Developing leaders
Representing HR
Organizational consulting
Advancing use of analytics

Benefits

Excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families
Generous retirement benefits
A wide variety of professional development opportunities
Supportive work and family benefits
A wealth of health and wellness programs and resources
Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
Flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars
Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn and potentially other institutions
Generous retirement plans (Basic, Matching, and Supplemental) with pre-tax or Roth options and a variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard
Substantial time away from work for relaxation, vacation, personal affairs, illness, injury, or family time
Long-Term Care Insurance through Genworth Financial
Wellness and Work-life Resources
Professional and Personal Development resources
Access to a wide range of University resources, cultural, and recreational activities
Discounts and Special Services (arts, entertainment, transportation, mortgages, new cars, cellular phone service, movie tickets, theme parks)
Flexible Work Hours
Penn Home Ownership Services (forgivable loan for eligible employees)
Adoption Assistance (reimbursement for qualified expenses up to two adoptions)