Manager, People & Culture

AeroVironment•Simi Valley, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The People & Culture Business Partner operates as a trusted consultant, balancing strategic partnership with hands-on execution while ensuring compliance with government regulations, security requirements, and company policies. This role partners closely with the business to drive workforce planning, talent development, total rewards execution, organizational effectiveness, and culture initiatives that support mission-critical outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required in Human Resources, Organizational Development or Businesses required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Minimum 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3–5+ years as a P&C Business Partner
Strong knowledge of employment law and HR practices
Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., aerospace, defense, government contracting)
Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior leaders
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) or asylee/refugee status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) required.
Must be able to travel within the Continental U.S. and internationally when required
This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction.
A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15.
Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred
HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR)
Experience supporting engineering, manufacturing, or program-based organizations
Experience supporting international populations, including global mobility or expatriate programs
Experience with HRIS systems (e.g., Workday)
Prior experience supporting M&A integration or large-scale transformation initiatives
Flexibility to support business needs during peak periods
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical, time management and organizational skills
Strong computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Works well with little or no supervision and exercises independent judgement on a regular basis
Strong ability to gain cooperation of others, conducting presentations of technical information concerning specific projects or schedules

Responsibilities

Partner with the business in developing an understanding of the people and organizational strategy needs and assist in designing and executing solutions in the areas of talent acquisition, change management, organizational design, business process improvement, performance management, and effective communication
Advise on organizational design, workforce planning, and talent optimization to support growth, restructuring, and program delivery
Lead performance management processes in partnership with P&C Talent Development team, including goal setting, reviews, and calibration, ensuring consistency and alignment with business priorities
Identify and recommend high-potential talent development, and support succession planning for critical roles
Coach leaders on employee engagement, performance, leadership effectiveness, and communication strategies
Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, conduct and support investigations in compliance with company policies and applicable employment laws
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as government contracting requirements (including ITAR), and maintain audit-ready documentation
Analyze workforce data and trends (e.g., attrition, engagement, hiring) to inform decision-making and proactive planning
Partner with Talent Acquisition on hiring strategies and workforce planning, including scenario modeling for program needs
Collaborate with Total Rewards to support salary planning, promotions, and equity reviews, ensuring competitive and compliant compensation practices
Lead and support employee engagement initiatives and action planning based on survey results; provide advice on issues affecting morale, performance, development and organization effectiveness, helping to determine root causes and recommending appropriate next steps
Drive communication and change management efforts, including support for business transformations and M&A integration as applicable
Lead and execute cross-functional P&C initiatives and projects, (e.g., organizational redesigns, talent programs, system implementations, M&A integration support) from planning through delivery
Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and milestones; track progress, manage risks, and ensure alignment with business priorities
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders (P&C, Legal, Finance, IT, and business leaders) to ensure effective execution of core people processes (e.g., onboarding, performance cycles, compensation reviews)
Utilize HR systems (e.g., Workday) to support data-driven decision-making and continuous process improvement
Manage multiple priorities effectively while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through on commitments
Other duties as assigned