Sr. Lead, HR Business Partner

Rivian•Normal, IL

47d•Onsite

About The Position

About Rivian Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary We are seeking a Sr. Lead, HR Business Partner (HRBP) to serve as a strategic advisor and operator across multiple departments within our flagship manufacturing facility. This individual will partner with senior plant leaders to implement full-lifecycle HR and leadership programs that drive engagement, retention, performance, and talent development. You'll bring business insight, coaching experience, and sharp HR execution to support operations teams in Battery, Stamping, General Assembly, Paint, Plastics, and beyond. Whether it's workforce planning, succession design, or coaching through a cultural transformation-this role is built for an HR leader ready to make real impact on the ground. Why This Role Matters: Drive Business-Critical Talent Strategy: Partner directly with department leaders to ensure organizational structure, performance, and talent align with production priorities. Champion Leadership Growth: Deliver coaching, org design, and talent development to shape the next generation of Rivian manufacturing leadership. Build a Best-in-Class Plant Culture: Help foster a workplace that's inclusive, dynamic, and aligned with Rivian's mission-driven ethos. Lead with Courage and Credibility: Serve as a sounding board, advisor, and change agent in one of the company's most complex and fast-moving environments.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive HR Business Partner or HR Leadership experience
Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field
Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing or operations environments
Proven ability to influence across all levels with clarity and empathy
Exceptional judgment and discretion with sensitive information
Courageous communication style-able to challenge with care and build trust
Optimistic, proactive, and agile mindset in high-pressure environments
Deep commitment to building diverse, inclusive, and accountable teams

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or executive leadership certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, HRCI-SPHR)
3+ years managing and mentoring HR professionals
Experience driving organizational change in large, complex orgs
Familiarity with union-sensitive environments or industrial relations preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to plant leadership on talent strategy, workforce planning, and org design
Design and execute people plans, focusing on engagement, succession, and capability development
Partner with CoEs to deliver effective onboarding, performance, and reward programs
Champion organizational culture aligned with production, safety, and employee experience goals
Lead key HR programs for your assigned departments, including performance reviews, succession planning, and employee engagement
Deliver strategic guidance and process leadership across hiring, onboarding, promotion, and attrition
Consult on investigations, policy inquiries, and complex employee relations
Support offboarding and exit feedback loops for continuous learning
Provide high-impact leadership coaching and feedback
Support executive onboarding and team integration across functions
Guide cultural and structural change initiatives with clarity and empathy
Operate as a thought partner across the People Team and the broader business