People Operations Business Partner - Contract

Commonwealth Fusion Systems • Devens, MA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The People Business Partner is an early-career business partner role providing hands-on, on-site support to a large employee population across manufacturing, engineering, and operational functions. Working closely with Senior People Business Partners and business leaders, the role delivers responsive, practical people support while developing broad HR business partnering capability. It is a visible resource for employees and front-line managers on day-to-day employee relations, policy interpretation, performance concerns, workforce changes, and employee lifecycle needs. The position requires sound judgment, discretion, trusted relationship-building, and an on-site presence five days per week, with flexible hours as needed to support a growing 24x7 operation.

The role supports routine employee and manager questions, workforce and talent activities, employee relations reviews, engagement and retention initiatives, leaves and accommodations, onboarding and other lifecycle processes, HR records, company-wide People programs, and annual HR cycles. Complex or high-risk matters are escalated to a Senior People Business Partner or an appropriate HR subject matter expert.

This is a contract position. The stated compensation is $45–$55 an hour. The role may require occasional travel or work at night, on weekends, or on-call. It also requires safety-conscious work around potential industrial hazards, including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2–5 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Experience supporting or exposure to employee relations matters, including performance management, attendance, workplace conduct, and manager coaching.
• Experience with or exposure to employee benefits administration, leave administration, or employee lifecycle processes.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work effectively with employees from front-line technicians to senior leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organization and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to work on-site five days per week and flexible hours as needed to support a 24x7 operation.
• Ability to perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods.
• Dedication to safety and willingness to mitigate industrial hazards, which may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics.
• Willingness to travel or work required nights, weekends, or on-call occasionally.

Nice To Haves

• Human Resources experience in manufacturing, engineering, technical, industrial, or another fast-paced operational environment.
• Experience supporting a large employee population or multiple business functions.
• Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, R&D, startup, or rapidly scaling organization.
• Experience supporting shift-based, hourly, exempt, and non-exempt employee populations.
• Familiarity with employment law and HR compliance requirements.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or progress toward an HR certification.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Senior People Business Partners to support employees across manufacturing, engineering, and other technical or operational functions.
• Serve as a first point of contact for routine employee and manager questions, escalating complex or high-risk matters as appropriate.
• Develop an understanding of the assigned organization, workforce needs, structure, priorities, and employee challenges.
• Support preparation and follow-up for leadership meetings, talent discussions, workforce planning, organizational changes, and other people initiatives.
• Identify recurring people issues and trends and share observations and recommendations with the Senior BP team.
• Maintain visibility and accessibility by regularly spending time in assigned work areas.
• Guide and coach managers on routine employee relations matters, including attendance, performance, workplace behavior, policy interpretation, and interpersonal concerns.
• Conduct or support fact-finding and preliminary employee relations reviews under Senior BP guidance.
• Assist with employee investigations, documentation, interviews, and follow-up actions as appropriate.
• Support employee engagement, retention, recognition, onboarding, and communication initiatives.
• Partner with managers to improve employee experience, communication, and team effectiveness.
• Help ensure employees across shifts and functions have equitable access to People support and information.
• Support administration and employee communication for leaves of absence, accommodations, and return-to-work processes with appropriate HR team members.
• Assist with onboarding, internal transfers, promotions, organizational changes, and offboarding.
• Ensure employee records, HR documentation, and transactions are completed accurately and promptly.
• Support implementation of company-wide People programs and initiatives within assigned client groups.
• Assist with performance management, talent reviews, engagement surveys, compensation processes, and other annual HR cycles.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level