Human Resources Business Partner - People Experience

Harbor Group Management • Norfolk, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Harbor Group Management Company is a multi-billion dollar real estate investment and property management firm. As we continue to grow, we are looking for passionate, goal oriented, creative individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and great communication skills. Harbor Group is dedicated to outstanding customer service and providing exquisite living experience for our residents.
Human Resources Business Partner – People Experience
Harbor Group Management Company, a Norfolk, Virginia based real estate investment and property management firm, has an immediate need for a Human Resources Business Partner – People Experience at our corporate office in Norfolk, VA.
Are you the one?
Job Summary: The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) – People Experience supports leaders, managers, and team members across assigned corporate and property management groups by delivering hands-on, high-volume HR guidance and people support. Reporting to the Director, People Experience, this role provides a strong foundation in HR business partnership while maintaining significant responsibility for core HR execution. This role plays an active role in supporting day-to-day performance management & documentation, employee relations, coaching conversations, and the employee lifecycle from onboarding through exit, while translating People Experience strategy into practical, scalable solutions that support engagement, retention, and consistency. This role is ideal for an HR Generalist or early-career HRBP who thrives in ambiguity, is seeking to gain exposure to people strategy, and grow into a broader HRBP role over time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related people-focused field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant HR experience.
• Minimum of 3–6 years of progressive HR experience, preferably in an HR Generalist or early HRBP role.
• Comfortable performing hands-on HR generalist responsibilities, with demonstrated curiosity and motivation to grow into broader HR business partnership work.
• Experience supporting employee relations, performance management, and HR policies in a multi-state environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle emotionally charged situations with professionalism, composure, and sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust, credibility, and effective working relationships.
• Consultative, pragmatic approach to problem-solving with a strong customer-service mindset.
• Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in roles involving frequent interruptions, competing priorities, high volume, and ambiguity.
• Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and grow into broader HRBP responsibilities.
• Ability to balance big-picture People Experience objectives with day-to-day tactical execution.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting operational environments such as property management, hospitality, retail, or similar, preferred.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred; SPHR or SHRM-SCP considered a plus.
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish/English) is a strong plus and will be given special consideration, particularly in supporting frontline and multifamily operations.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the Director, People Experience and senior HR team members to support and execute People Experience initiatives.
• Serve as a primary HR point of contact for assigned leaders, managers, and teams with appropriate guidance and escalation.
• Provide practical HR guidance on people matters including employee concerns, manager questions, and team dynamics.
• Build positive working relationships with leaders and managers to support consistent practices.
• Support leaders throughout the performance management cycle, including goal setting, coaching conversations, documentation, corrective action, promotions, and review processes.
• Assist managers with feedback conversations and employee development planning.
• Help reinforce performance expectations while ensuring consistency and fairness.
• Partner with the Employee Relations Manager and Director, People Experience on employee relations matters.
• Support ER processes by gathering information, documenting actions, and participating in meetings as appropriate.
• Serve as a coverage resource during periods of increased ER, FMLA, ADA, and leave volume, requiring comfort with urgency, compliance and sound judgment.
• Provide day-to-day HR support related to policies, procedures, onboarding, leaves, and employee inquiries.
• Assist with interpreting and applying employment laws with guidance from senior HR partners.
• Support compliance efforts across a multi-state workforce.
• Conduct exit interviews, summarize feedback, and assist with identifying trends.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Employee Development, HRIS, and Operations teams on people-related processes.
• Participate in HR projects and initiatives focused on engagement, retention, and employee experience.
• Learn and grow HRBP capabilities through hands-on experience, coaching, and exposure to broader People Experience initiatives.

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive salaries and incentive plans, as well as an extensive list of health and retirement options.
• An environment that supports learning and development through our in-house education program, HGKey, along with providing tuition reimbursement and external training with industry leaders.
• Volunteer and community service opportunities through our HG Cares Employee Volunteer Program.
• Recognition and awards, a generous employee referral program, and an employee apartment discount at a Harbor Group community.
• Our office is conveniently located in downtown Norfolk within walking distance of the Waterside District, with access to cafes, car washing services, and a free gym within the building.

What This Job Offers

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