Executive Human Resource Business Partner

UMass Amherst • Amherst, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

UMass Amherst is seeking an experienced and strategic Executive Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP) to provide leadership and direction to a team of HR Business Partners who support all units across the University within Administration and Finance (A&F). Reporting to the Senior Director for HR Embedded Services with a dotted line to the Administration and Finance Vice Chancellor, the Executive HRBP plays a critical role in delivering high-impact HR services that align talent strategy with the University's academic and operational priorities. The Executive HRBP serves as a member of the A&F leadership team and senior advisor to institutional leaders while coaching and developing HRBPs in their work as strategic consultants. The Executive HRBP collaborates with Centers of Excellence (COEs) across Compensation & Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Labor Relations, and Total Rewards to deliver integrated HR solutions and drive change across a complex, unionized higher education environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field.
• More than ten (10) years of progressive HR experience, including at least five (5) years of people leadership or team management experience.
• Demonstrated experience as a strategic HR Business Partner or HR leader supporting senior-level clients.
• Strong knowledge of workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, and organizational design.
• Experience navigating a complex, matrixed, or unionized environment.
• Strategic thinking skills with proven ability to lead change and align HR services with organizational goals.
• Exceptional communication, influence and relationship building skills.
• Experience supervising or mentoring HR professionals.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or higher in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, or related field.
• Higher education campus operations, facilities, healthcare, or public-sector experience.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor relations practices.
• Experience supervising or mentoring HR professionals.
• Active HR certification (i.e. PHR, SHRM-CP).

Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior HR advisor to the Vice Chancellor of A&F, all assigned department heads, and administrative leaders, providing guidance on workforce strategy, organizational design, talent planning, and change management.
• Partners with senior leadership to understand unit goals and challenges and align HR solutions that advance institutional strategy.
• Promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement across all assigned areas.
• Leads, coaches, and develops a team of 4–6+ HR Business Partners who serve assigned academic and administrative units.
• Provides direction, feedback, and support to ensure consistency, quality, and impact of HRBP service delivery across the university.
• Manages workload distribution and ensures appropriate coverage for portfolios and strategic initiatives.
• Partners with units to develop and implement workforce and succession plans aligned with current and future talent needs.
• Collaborates with Employee Engagement and Talent Development teams to assess leadership bench strength and identify development opportunities.
• Facilitates talent reviews and consults on job architecture, promotions, and organizational structure.
• Leads and supports the HRBP team in managing all aspects of employee relations, including disciplinary proceedings and investigations, performance management, corrective actions, workplace concerns, grievance handling, and policy interpretation.
• Ensures HRBPs provide consistent and effective ER guidance to supervisors and employees, with routine matters handled by HRBP I/II roles and complex or high-risk issues escalated to HRBP III/senior HRBPs or the HRBP Lead.
• Fosters a proactive and solutions-focused ER approach that promotes accountability, inclusion, and employee engagement.
• Collaborates with the Labor Relations COE on matters involving collective bargaining agreements, formal grievances, and union engagement, ensuring alignment between employee relations actions and contractual obligations.
• Supports HRBPs in partnering effectively with the Labor Relations COE for issues that intersect both ER and LR scopes.
• Leads or consults on organizational assessments, restructures, and change initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and financial sustainability.
• Provides guidance on job redesigns, spans of control, and reporting structures to improve operational effectiveness.
• Serves as a liaison between Embedded Services and HR COE’s to ensure seamless implementation of HR programs (e.g., performance management, engagement surveys, merit increases).
• Monitors trends, assesses impact, and recommends improvements to HR programs and policies based on stakeholder feedback and institutional needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week.

What This Job Offers

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