VP, HR Business Partner

Unum•Chattanooga, TN

26d•$144,900 - $273,800

About The Position

The VP, HR Business Partner is a highly visible strategic leadership role reporting to the SVP, Global Talent & Inclusion. The position partners with executive leadership teams to develop and execute integrated talent and organizational strategies that support enterprise transformation, strengthen leadership capability, and drive business performance. It aligns people strategies with evolving business priorities and helps leader areas scale while fostering organizational agility, accountability, and high performance. The role is an integral member of the People and Communications extended leadership team, collaborating with senior executives and HR Centers of Excellence to develop and drive Human Capital strategy in support of Unum’s growth and transformation. The incumbent brings executive presence, enterprise thinking, and business acumen, balancing strategic advisory work with practical execution. The position is based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and may require travel up to 20%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
12+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant HR Business Partner leadership experience supporting senior executives in large, complex organizations.
Demonstrated success partnering with executive leaders to drive organizational transformation, workforce strategy, and talent outcomes aligned to business priorities.
Strong business acumen, including understanding enterprise strategy, operational drivers, and financial implications affecting corporate functions and enterprise performance.
Ability to influence and build credibility with senior executives through strategic insight, executive presence, and trusted partnership.
Strong organizational effectiveness and change leadership capabilities, including experience supporting large-scale transformation initiatives and evolving operating models.
Capability in organizational design, talent planning, succession management, leadership coaching, and workforce strategy.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use data, workforce insights, and market intelligence to inform decisions.
Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, highly matrixed, and evolving environments while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across functions, levels, and teams.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, influence without authority, and lead through change with resilience and agility.
Innovative mindset and interest in leveraging technology, AI-enabled solutions, and modern talent practices to improve organizational effectiveness and employee experience.
Exceptional communication skills with executives, senior leadership teams, and enterprise stakeholders.
Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential matters.
Ability to travel up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to executive leaders on organizational, talent, leadership, and workforce matters.
Partner with senior leadership teams to develop and execute Human Capital strategies aligned with enterprise priorities, transformation efforts, and business objectives.
Lead enterprise-level talent and organizational initiatives, including workforce planning, leadership effectiveness, succession planning, organizational design, change management, and culture evolution.
Drive organizational effectiveness efforts to improve agility, accountability, collaboration, and operational efficiency across corporate functions.
Coach and consult with executives and leadership teams to strengthen leadership capability, team effectiveness, and organizational health.
Partner with HR Centers of Excellence to deliver integrated talent solutions across talent acquisition, leadership development, performance management, learning, inclusion and diversity, employee engagement, and total rewards.
Lead and support large-scale transformation initiatives, helping leaders navigate organizational change, evolving operating models, and workforce impacts.
Use workforce analytics, talent insights, and external market trends to inform strategic decisions and identify opportunities to improve organizational performance and talent outcomes.
Assess organizational capabilities and identify talent gaps, risks, and succession considerations; develop strategies to strengthen bench strength and future readiness.
Influence organizational design decisions, including role clarity, team structures, spans and layers, and capability alignment.
Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture that enables innovation, collaboration, accountability, and employee engagement.
Partner with leaders to proactively manage organizational risks, employee relations matters, and complex people issues.
Build enterprise partnerships and contribute to broader People & Communications strategic initiatives and priorities.
Lead, coach, and develop HR team members while fostering collaboration, strategic thinking, and execution excellence.
Monitor emerging workforce trends, market practices, AI-enabled workforce strategies, and evolving organizational models to strengthen talent and business outcomes.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Award-winning culture and inclusion and diversity as a priority.
Performance-based incentive plans.
Competitive benefits package including health, vision, dental, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
Generous paid time off, including paid time to volunteer.
401(k) employer contributions: up to 9.5% described in the benefits overview; the detailed benefits section specifies an employer match up to 5% plus an additional 4.5% contribution whether or not the employee contributes.
Mental health support.
Career advancement opportunities.
Student loan repayment options.
Tuition reimbursement.
Flexible work environments.
Paid time off and healthcare and insurance benefits.