HR Business Partner

Roberts Wesleyan University•Rochester, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) serves as a trusted strategic advisor and operational consultant to leaders across designated university client groups. In this role, the HRBP partners closely with leadership to weave Roberts Wesleyan University’s Christian faith-based culture into the daily employee experience, fostering a workplace where faculty and staff are empowered to pursue faithful, free, and full lives, where we learn to live, and where we equip our students to do the same. In addition to driving core HR operations for client units, the HRBP is accountable for one or more university-wide HR programs (e.g., Compensation & Classification, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, or Talent Development), ensuring these institutional workflows reflect Roberts' mission, operational standards, and commitment to excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive HR experience as an HR Business Partner, HR Generalist, or functional specialist, preferably in higher education.
Demonstrated track record of managing or administering an enterprise HR program (e.g., compensation structures, talent acquisition, or learning programs).
Sound understanding of federal and state employment law and HR operational practices.
Demonstrated commitment to Christian higher education and the mission of Roberts Wesleyan University.
Experience collaborating cross-functionally across complex organizational units.
Strong organizational leadership and change management experience.
High emotional intelligence, active listening, and the ability to build trust with diverse academic and operational leaders.
Ability to articulate and operationalize a faith-integrated view of work, community, and personal growth.
Ability to address immediate employee relations needs while simultaneously managing long-term institutional programs.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the enterprise owner and subject matter expert for assigned HR discipline(s) (such as Compensation, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, or Employee Relations).
Develop, implement, and continuously improve institution-wide policies, frameworks, and operational workflows within the designated functional area(s).
Design and facilitate workshops, manager toolkits, and compliance training that align both with industry best practices and the university’s faith-integrated culture.
Partner with academic and administrative units on organizational design, position creation, job description development, and staffing models and analyses.
Guide managers through onboarding frameworks, annual performance evaluations & improvement plans, retention strategies, and learning & development initiatives.
Ensure client actions and HR programs comply with federal/state employment laws (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII) and university policies.
Collaborate with client group leaders to integrate Roberts’ Christian faith-based identity and values into performance conversations, leadership development, workplace practices, and team culture.
Advise vice presidents, deans, chairs, and supervisors on effective talent strategies, organizational structures, change management, and team dynamics, encouraging a culture of grace, accountability, and professional growth.
Help design workplace environments where staff and faculty thrive holistically, modeling life-long learning and purposeful living so employees can effectively mentor and guide students to do the same.
Serve as a compassionate, objective consultant for employee concerns and workplace conflicts, applying biblically grounded principles of reconciliation alongside university policy and employment law.