Senior HR Business Partner

The City of Seattle advances a workforce strategy grounded in the diversity of our people, perspectives, and lived experiences. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive, high-performing organization that reflects and effectively serves our community.  Seattle Human Resources (SHR) partners across the organization to design and deliver equitable talent strategies, ensuring fair and consistent recruitment, strong people management, continuous development, and clear role alignment so that employees are positioned to contribute to citywide priorities and accomplish the city’s goals. The Service Delivery team supports 700 employees in 20 unique departments and executive offices. We have an opportunity for a Senior HR Business Partner to join our team and play a key role in advancing strategic HR initiatives and delivering high-impact support across the organization. 

This is a critical position that delivers high-quality HR services to department directors, senior leaders, managers, and employees. You will provide expert advice on human resources best practices as it relates to employment, employee relations, labor relations, performance management, compliance with federal/state/local laws, and act as a collaborative business partner to your assigned portfolio departments. You will lead the evaluation of risks tied to employment actions and collaborate with cross-functional experts, including the City Attorney, Labor Relations, and the Citywide Policy Advisor, to provide comprehensive analysis and strategic options that enable informed, compliant, and effective decisions. 

In this role, your priorities will center on:

• Leading high-impact, high-visibility employee and labor relations matters, and providing strategic guidance on complex performance management issues, ensuring these are addressed with sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy.
• You will partner with department directors and senior leadership to advance organizational development and change management efforts across your portfolio, particularly during periods of transformation, growth, or workforce disruption. 
• You will also serve as a trusted advisor by shaping and interpreting policy, delivering strategic recommendations, and aligning people strategies with organizational priorities.
• You will play a key role in strengthening leadership capability through coaching and consultation, proactively identifying and mitigating risks, and fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture that supports employee engagement and operational excellence. 

You will be most successful in this role if you bring:

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing with strong operational discipline in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Deep expertise in employee and labor relations, ideally within a highly regulated or public sector setting.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive and high-stakes situations with professionalism and discretion.
• Proven strength in conflict resolution, with the ability to de-escalate complex situations and facilitate constructive, solutions-oriented outcomes.
• Exceptional relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust, credibility, and influence with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience leading or supporting organizational change, including workforce transitions, restructuring, or leadership shifts.
• Ability to assess risk, manage competing priorities, and translate ambiguity into clear, actionable strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach.
• High level of political acumen and understanding of complex organizational dynamics.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and fostering a respectful, high-performing workplace culture.

Experience in:

• Significant progressive experience in Human Resources, including senior-level HR Business Partner or equivalent roles supporting complex organizations. 
• Background working in a highly regulated environment (e.g., public sector, unionized workforce, or similarly complex setting) with strong knowledge of employment law and labor practices. 
• Demonstrated experience managing high-risk, high-visibility employee and labor relations matters including discipline and conflict resolution 
• Experience advising senior leaders and executives, with a track record of influencing decisions and building trusted partnerships.
• Proven experience leading or supporting organizational change initiatives, including restructures, leadership transitions, and workforce planning efforts.  
• Experience managing multiple priorities and delivering results in a fast-paced, high-demand environment. 
• Strong experience in performance management, including coaching leaders through complex employee performance issues. 

Demonstrated deep technical knowledge and expertise in human resources, particularly in providing coaching, guidance, and direction to executives, managers, and line-level staff, is essential in this role. A commitment to listening, to creating space for diverse perspectives, and to pursuing inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to thoughtfully and effectively communicate at all levels has contributed to your success. Your strong, hands-on work ethic and desire to achieve excellence will be essential. Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if your work history includes:

• Serving a diverse employee base at all levels within a large organization.

• Consistent professional judgment, especially with sensitive and confidential issues.

•  Effectively resolving conflict while maintaining positive working relationships.

• Leveraging a human resources generalist background with expertise in accommodation, leave administration, organizational development, and performance management.

• Providing coaching and consultative services to executives and management.

• Achieving positive outcomes through your knowledge of labor laws, benefits, leaves, and/or accommodations. 

This position reports to the manager of the Service Delivery Division and is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, Exempt. It is exempt from the FLSA (not eligible for overtime) and from the Civil Service system. The full pay range for this position is $51.88 - $77.82 per hour. The salary range for this individual position is $63.47 - $71.41 per hour.  

The first-round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled to take place between Tuesday, May 5, and Friday, May 8. The second-round interviews are tentatively scheduled to occur between Tuesday, May 12, and Friday, May 15, 2026. 

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Pam Inch at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in the office twice a week. Mondays are currently an in-office day for the team. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor. 

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Why work at the City? 

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40 departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a vibrant, welcoming Seattle for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused – while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application, please include a cover letter and resume.  Your application documents should inform reviewers about:

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which can serve as a resource as you prepare to apply for and interview for positions with the City of Seattle. 

This position is open to all applicants who demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Pam Inch at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov.

Salary : $52 - $78