Senior HR Partner

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior HR Partner serves as a strategic partner and consultant within Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, specifically supporting the undergraduate College. This role works closely with the College’s Dean for Administration and Finance, managers, and leaders within the College to align people strategies with institutional goals and priorities. This role provides advanced guidance on workforce planning, organizational design, performance coaching, talent planning, and complex employee relations issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant HR experience
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible HR experience with a significant focus on strategic HR consulting for leadership
• Experience advising and coaching managers on performance management and employee relations
• Experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain, report on, and navigate complex matters with constituents
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of strategic engagements in a complex, decentralized environment
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to work with a broad range of constituents

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a unionized environment highly desirable

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR partner for the Harvard College, building strong, consultative relationships with leadership.
• Advises on workforce planning, organizational design, staffing models, and role structures.
• Translate FAS and departmental strategies into HR priorities and action plans.
• Partner with leaders on succession planning and retention strategies for key staff roles.
• Partner with FAS Talent Acquisition on relevant hiring matters within client groups.
• Consult on performance management, career progression, and development planning for staff.
• Support change management efforts associated with reorganizations, new initiatives, or process changes within the College.
• Serve as a first-line advisor to managers on performance, conduct, and workplace climate matters.
• Help identify and address patterns related to morale, engagement, and climate; recommend and help implement interventions.
• Interpret and apply HR policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements in the FAS context, ensuring consistent and equitable practices.
• Consult with central HR on policy questions, complex leaves, accommodations, and classification/compensation issues as needed.
• Monitor HR-related risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Partner with central HR centers of expertise (e.g., Compensation, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Employee/Labor Relations) to deliver coordinated HR solutions.
• Serve as a connector between FAS leadership and FAS HR leadership, ensuring FAS perspectives are represented in institution-wide HR initiatives.
• Use HR data and metrics (e.g., turnover, vacancy, time-to-fill, engagement survey results) to inform recommendations and track progress.
• Identify opportunities to streamline HR processes, improve manager capability, and enhance employee experience.
• Partner with internal Compensation team to manage compensation administration including salary setting, internal equity, classifications, annual merit increase, and bonus processes.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

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