Senior HR Business Partner — Temporary / Fixed-Term (6 Months)

Who we are:

Motive empowers the people who run physical operations with tools to make their work safer, more productive, and more profitable. For the first time ever, safety, operations and finance teams can manage their drivers, vehicles, equipment, and fleet related spend in a single system. Combined with industry leading AI, the Motive platform gives you complete visibility and control, and significantly reduces manual workloads by automating and simplifying tasks.

Motive serves nearly 100,000 customers – from Fortune 500 enterprises to small businesses – across a wide range of industries, including transportation and logistics, construction, energy, field service, manufacturing, agriculture, food and beverage, retail, and the public sector.

Visit gomotive.com to learn more.

About the role

Motive is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner on a temporary / fixed-term basis to support our R&D organizations for an initial six-month period. This role is intended to start as soon as possible and provide interim coverage during a leave and transition period, while ensuring strong continuity of support for leaders and employees.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role for an experienced HRBP who can quickly build credibility with managers, operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, and balance strategic judgment with day-to-day execution. You will partner closely with R&D leaders and the broader People team to coach managers, support employee relations, drive performance management practices, and help execute core talent and people programs across the organization.

As part of our People function, your goal is to help Motive’s R&D organizations operate effectively, develop strong managers, and create a high-performing and positive employee experience.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a trusted HR Business Partner to leaders, managers, and individual contributors across Engineering and Product, providing practical coaching and support on day-to-day people matters
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the R&D organizations under the CTO and CPO to understand business priorities, team dynamics, and talent needs
• Coach managers on performance management, feedback, employee development, and organizational effectiveness
• Support performance management processes, including coaching, documentation, performance improvement conversations, and partnership on difficult employee matters
• Conduct exit meetings and identify themes and trends that can inform manager coaching and broader People priorities
• Independently manage employee relations matters with sound judgment, strong documentation, and appropriate partnership with Legal and cross-functional stakeholders when needed
• Help execute key People programs and cycles, including compensation reviews, the Employee Growth Cycle, and the Your Voice Matters employee engagement survey
• Partner with leaders to surface talent trends, organizational risks, and opportunities, and translate those insights into practical recommendations and action plans
• Ensure consistent application of Motive policies, HR practices, and employment standards while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism
• Collaborate closely with the Lead HRBP and People cross-functional partners to maintain continuity, share field insights, and support priority initiatives across the business
• Serve as a friendly face in HR for curious employees across the globe on people programs and processes

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including significant HRBP experience supporting fast-paced, high-growth organizations with a global footprint
• Experience supporting technical client groups such as Engineering, Product, or broader R&D organizations
• Strong manager coaching capability across performance management, employee development, employee relations, and organizational effectiveness
• Demonstrated experience handling employee relations matters with sound judgment, strong documentation, and a high degree of discretion
• Working knowledge of compensation cycles, engagement surveys, and core talent programs such as performance reviews and growth or development cycles
• Ability to leverage AI tools to improve HR processes and employee experiences while exercising sound judgment and protecting confidentiality.
• Possess a strong business acumen and bias for operational excellence
• Ability to quickly build trust and credibility with leaders, managers, and employees at multiple levels of the organization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify patterns, assess risk, and make practical recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a clear, approachable, and professional style
• High level of ownership, execution focus, and comfort operating in a dynamic environment with changing priorities
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field preferred
• HR certification and experience supporting globally distributed teams are a plus

Why this role matters

This role is critical to maintaining strong People partnership and operational continuity for Motive’s R&D organizations during an important transition period. The right person will bring steady execution, thoughtful coaching, and a practical approach that helps leaders and employees stay supported while key business and talent priorities continue moving forward.

Motive is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider qualified applicants without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, and local law.

Pay Transparency
Your compensation may be based on several factors, including education, work experience, and certifications. For certain roles, total compensation may include restricted stock units. Motive offers benefits including health, pharmacy, optical and dental care benefits, paid time off, sick time off, short term and long term disability coverage, life insurance as well as 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). Learn more about our benefits by visiting Motive Perks & Benefits.

San Francisco, California

$110,000—$152,000 USD

U.S. metropolitan areas: Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City Area, Seattle, Washington D.C.

$96,000—$132,000 USD

Other locations in the United States

$96,000—$132,000 USD

Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is one of Motive's core values. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.

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The applicant must be authorized to receive and access those commodities and technologies controlled under U.S. Export Administration Regulations. It is Motive's policy to require that employees be authorized to receive access to Motive products and technology.

Regarding US-based roles, depending on your role and primary work location, Motive Technologies, Inc. (“Employer”) discloses candidates may be required to execute a non-compete covenant with the Employer. This requirement does not apply to lawyers, interns, or employees working in CA, MN, MT, ND, OK, or where otherwise prohibited by law.

Non-compete covenant terms in all other jurisdictions will be subject to the applicable statutory requirements, including but not limited to, procedures, industry related prohibitions, or salary and compensation thresholds.

All job postings are for existing vacancies. Please note; some interviews or new-hire training sessions may be held in person at one of our global offices.