Executive Director, People Experience Partnership and G&A HRBP

Apellis Pharmaceuticals • Waltham, MA

46d • Hybrid

About The Position

Opportunity awaits those up to the challenge of developing transformative therapies across a broad range of debilitating diseases. Summary: Apellis is seeking an experienced and enterprise-minded Executive Director / Senior Director, People Experience Partners and HRBP G&A to lead the company’s People Experience Partnership model, consolidating HR Business Partnering, People Relations, and below-SLT HR support into a single, scalable organization. This role serves as the senior HR Business Partner for G&A functions and provides leadership oversight to the Director, HRBP Tech Ops & Quality, as well as People Experience Partners supporting employees below the SLT across the enterprise. The role is accountable for strategic HR partnership, execution excellence, governance, and consistency across HRBP and People Experience delivery. As a core member of the Global People Experience Leadership team, this leader ensures tight alignment between HR COEs and embedded HR partners, strengthens leadership trust, and enables Apellis’ next phase of growth. As a member of the HR leadership ecosystem, this role must: • Demonstrate an enterprise mindset focused on what is best for Apellis overall • Build a symbiotic partnership with HR COEs, sharing insights that shape strategy and ensuring frameworks are executed consistently. • Bring the voice of Apellis leadership to influence HR tools, priorities, and governance. • Communicate clearly, consistently, and proactively to build trust across HR and business leadership. Roles and Responsibilities: Apellis is seeking an experienced and enterprise-minded Executive Director, People Experience Partners and HRBP G&A to lead the company’s People Experience Partnership model, consolidating HR Business Partnering, People Relations, and below-SLT HR support into a single, scalable organization. This role serves as the senior HR Business Partner for G&A functions and provides leadership oversight to the Director, HRBP Tech Ops & Quality, as well as People Experience Partners supporting employees below the SLT across the enterprise. The role is accountable for strategic HR partnership, execution excellence, governance, and consistency across HRBP and People Experience delivery. As a core member of the Global People Experience Leadership team, this leader ensures tight alignment between HR COEs and embedded HR partners, strengthens leadership trust, and enables Apellis’ next phase of growth. As a member of the HR leadership ecosystem, this role must: Demonstrate an enterprise mindset focused on what is best for Apellis overall Build a symbiotic partnership with HR COEs, sharing insights that shape strategy and ensuring frameworks are executed consistently. Bring the voice of Apellis leadership to influence HR tools, priorities, and governance. Communicate clearly, consistently, and proactively to build trust across HR and business leadership. Roles and Responsibilities, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in HR, Business, Law, Organizational Development, or related field preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior-level HRBP leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading HR organizations through scale, transformation, or operating-model redesign.
• Experience partnering with executive-level leaders in G&A and enterprise functions.
• Prior people-leadership experience managing HRBPs, HR Generalists, or People Relations teams.
• Enterprise HR leadership and strategic judgment
• Executive coaching and influence
• Organizational design and governance
• Strong operational discipline and execution focus
• Ability to balance strategy with hands-on leadership
• Trusted advisor with credibility across the business

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Experience Partnership function, combining HRBP, People Relations, and below-SLT People Experience support into a cohesive operating model.
• Set clear expectations, governance, and execution standards across HRBP and People Experience roles.
• Act as a senior leader within the HR organization, modeling enterprise-first thinking and collaboration.
• Serve as the senior HR Business Partner to G&A leadership (Finance, Legal, Business Development/Strategy, Human Resources, and other enterprise functions).
• Leadership of Director, HRBP for Tech Ops & Quality HRBP.
• Advise leaders on organizational design, talent strategy, leadership effectiveness, and culture.
• Partner with the Chief of Staff and enterprise leaders to support cross-functional alignment and execution.
• Lead and develop Senior Managers, People Experience Partners who provide day-to-day HR support below the SLT.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality execution of performance management, employee relations, workforce planning, and talent processes.
• Drive clarity on roles, escalation paths, and decision rights between HRBPs, People Experience, and COEs.
• Oversee People Relations and Immigration within the PXPO model.
• Ensure proactive risk management while building leader capability in performance and employee accountability.
• Partner closely with Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and People Operations to ensure frameworks are practical, scalable, and consistently deployed.
• Bring field insights to COEs to influence enterprise HR strategy and program design.
• Use workforce data, engagement insights, and talent analytics to inform priorities and improve HR impact.
• Continuously refine the People Experience Partnership model to improve efficiency, trust, and employee experience.

Benefits

• Apellis offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) plan with company match, inclusive family building benefits, flexible time off, summer and winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, and more!
• Visit https://apellis.com/careers/benefits/ to learn more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive