Head of HR Business Partners and Employee Relations

HR People Operations Manager

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Reporting to the Head of Human Resources, the HR People Operations Manager is key to shaping JPL's culture and future workforce. In this role, you will lead JPL's HR Business Partner and Employee Relations functions to align people strategies with business goals, advise and guide leadership in talent and performance, manage the Lab and employee relationship, ensure compliance with labor laws, and foster a positive workplace culture.

In this role, you will be the manager of a team that includes an HR Business Partner Manager, Employee Relations Manager, and HR Business Partners and Employee Relations Specialists who provide subject matter expert consultation with all levels of management colleagues across JPL.

You will be part of the Human Resources Senior Leadership team while also participating in JPL senior leadership meetings with a strong understanding of business unit goals, challenges, and plans, to then share insights, guide strategy, and bring a consultative approach to drive effective actions.

We are looking for an individual who is proactive, responsive, resilient, and understands how to develop strong relationships to achieve priorities and business goals in a consultative and persuasive way. The best individual for this position will use knowledge, influence, data, analytics and metrics to advise decisions, identify concerns, and support action, as well as have a proven ability to lead, manage, and grow the HR Business Partner and Employee Relations teams.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the HR Business Partners and Employee Relations teams towards a function that is consistently viewed as a trusted, strategic, consultative, and proactive partner with the business, including ensuring strong partnerships within the HR organization
• Collaborate with business leaders and HR managers and colleagues to deliver aligned and consistent support
• Build and sustain high levels of team engagement by setting clear standards of performance, monitoring and motivating them by providing constructive feedback and continuous coaching for their professional development and career growth
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and development for the team to act as a consultative resource directing and guiding strategic thinking and consistent processes
• Be a creative problem-solver who is open to new ideas, solution oriented, organized, knowledgeable about employee engagement and human resources efforts
• Exercise appropriate balance of functional expertise and a flexible leadership style across the team and JPL leadership to understand and provide effective consultation that considers both a broad and integrated approach to all levels of problem-solving and identifying creative solutions
• Offer insights and consultative support for HR Business Partners and management
• Be a strategic resource and trusted advisor for internal stakeholders including providing insights on organizational and people-related strategy and execution
• Develop and use data and analytics to guide decision-making and create proactive solutions to anticipated challenges
• Study trends and use metrics to propose, advance and implement solutions, programs, and best practices
• Strong capability in balancing multi-faceted approaches to support the business and HR processes, including a consultative partnership with HR leadership, moving forward with confidence, and remaining flexible to the unique pace that will best support the business.
• Build relationships with technical leaders and provide consultative support as a talent and people-strategy SME
• Lead complex projects and deliverables both independently and with the team(s)
• Challenge assumptions and develop new and innovative ideas to continuously improve employee experience at JPL within the unique business environment of a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
• Strong working knowledge of California and Federal labor law including wage and hour law, DFEH, EEO, and Affirmative Action

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required with an advanced degree preferred
• Leadership experience with at least 15 years in HR roles with progressive responsibility
• At least 4 years of experience managing HR Business Partners and/or other HR professionals
• Experience with supporting a highly technical client base
• Experienced leader with a consultative approach and influence skills
• Strategic and collaborative approach to relationship building and problem solving
• Robust analytic skills to support talent decisions with facts and data
• Required knowledge and experience of California and Federal labor law include wage and hour law, California Civil Rights Department, and EEO
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, discretion and confidentiality
• Proven experience building teams and processes to scale in a growth stage organization
• Experience with platforms and virtual environments, such as Workday
• Demonstrated ability to research, gather information, and recommend solutions to fit the strategic vision and organizational needs
• Demonstrated ability to influence and bring resources together to implement solutions and enact change within the framework of ongoing activities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written, are required. Communication is confident, professional, and polished
• Awareness of key market industry trends and recruiting best practices to maintain a competitive presence
• Excellent time management skills, the ability to lead multiple projects at once and work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment with strong organizational skills, excellent execution and follow-through
• Ability to develop solid relationships and collaboration skills at all levels of the organization

Preferred Competencies and Experiences:

• Experience within engineering and computer science disciplines strongly preferred
• Knowledge of JPL or other FFRDCs

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

$171,808 - $218,920

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.