People Partner (HR)

Novartis • San Diego, CA

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

The US People and Organization (P&O) team is seeking a new People Partner to support BR, Novartis Biomedical Research organization. This role will be based out of San Diego, California, requiring 3 days per week on-site. People Partners act as trusted advisors, offering in-country policy expertise and knowledge to support and educate leaders, managers, and associates on all People and Organization (P&O) topics during critical moments. They support business groups in country, enabling the delivery of lifecycle events, the employee value proposition, talent acquisition, talent management, learning, performance management, employee relations, rewards, pay, and reporting. Additionally, People Partners implement P&O change initiatives at a country level, acting as agents of change by collaborating with Business Partners and Senior People Partners. The team works collaboratively across divisions, adapting support to meet the evolving needs of the business.

Requirements

• At minimum 5+ years' work experience in P&O – with breadth of experience across P&O disciplines.
• At minimum 3+ years supporting a complex and metrics organization within the US.
• Strong hands-on experience using Workday (or comparable HR systems) to manage end-to-end P&O processes (e.g., talent moves, org changes, performance, recruitment), with a clear understanding of how system workflows translate into employee and manager experience.
• Proven AI fluency, with practical experience applying AI tools to enhance day-to-day work (e.g., generating insights, improving processes, drafting communications), and a strong curiosity to continuously adopt new technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and advise on employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with local regulations and company standards, while building manager capability through coaching, guidance, and proactive issue resolution.
• Ability to influence without authority and build capability in leaders through coaching, feedback, and strong relationships.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment by rapidly adapting to changing priorities, technologies, and organizational needs, while maintaining focus, performance, and alignment with business objectives.

Nice To Haves

• Actively contributes to a collaborative team environment by building trust, sharing ideas openly, and working inclusively with others to solve problems, drive outcomes, and foster a positive team dynamic.
• Ability to think and operate locally and globally by connecting across geographies, integrating diverse perspectives, and driving alignment across global and local stakeholders to achieve enterprise-wide outcomes.
• Prior experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry, with exposure to Research & Development (R&D) organizations and processes.

Responsibilities

• Implements P&O initiatives, supporting the overall P&O strategy.
• Ensures People Partnering processes are accomplished with high quality and efficiency.
• Champions culture and supports implementation of corporate initiatives.
• Drives buy-in and utilization of data and analytics to identify risk and trends, and to apply these business insights to inform decisions and actions.
• Embraces customer feedback to understand the customer journey with moments that matter and makes recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Implements enhancements and modifications as necessary to meet both business and customer needs.
• Ensures compliance with local equity / Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations.
• Manages the delivery of in-country transformations, consults with legal, provides advice and guidance for managers through the local US process, oversees associate notice / handover meetings and overall restructuring life cycle.
• Ensures local Employee Relations regulations are in line with local regulations and Novartis integrity standards from a cross divisional / country lens.
• Manages Employee relations within client group, coaching and mentoring associates and managers.
• Promotes the contribution of ideas and solutions to the P&O network (Country Business Partners, Global Business Partners, and Country P&O Boards).
• Seeks to establish strong relationships with cross-divisional P&O community members to understand needs and challenges and drive continuous improvement.
• Coaches leaders, managers, and associates on P&O topics, local policies, and key moments that matter, building manager capability and self-sufficiency.

Benefits

• Performance-based cash incentive
• Eligibility for annual equity awards
• Health benefits
• Life benefits
• Disability benefits
• 401(k) with company contribution and match
• Variety of other benefits
• Generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed