What are the responsibilities and job description for the HR Business Partner (Operations) position at Southern Company?
Position Summary
Southern Company Services (SCS) is seeking a consultative HR Business Partner to support our Operations organization based in Birmingham, AL. This role sits within the HR Delivery model and serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to business leaders in a dynamic, evolving environment.
We are looking for an HR professional with at least 3–5 years of progressive experience who can move beyond transactional HR and operate with a solutions-oriented, forward-thinking mindset . The ideal candidate brings intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a willingness to challenge conventional approaches to deliver meaningful business outcomes.
This role is best suited for someone who thrives in growth and change , values collaboration, and is energized by working as part of a highly consultative HR team supporting a complex, operations-driven business.
At Southern Company Operations, our work has a direct impact on the lives of millions of people. From generating reliable electricity to maintaining critical transmission infrastructure, our employees help keep homes, businesses, schools, and communities connected and powered. Our teams operate one of the largest and most diverse energy portfolios in the nation, supporting customers with reliable power while advancing new technologies and cleaner energy solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Education & Certifications
Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Identification: 20472
Job Category: Human Resources
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southern Company Services
Southern Company Services (SCS) is seeking a consultative HR Business Partner to support our Operations organization based in Birmingham, AL. This role sits within the HR Delivery model and serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to business leaders in a dynamic, evolving environment.
We are looking for an HR professional with at least 3–5 years of progressive experience who can move beyond transactional HR and operate with a solutions-oriented, forward-thinking mindset . The ideal candidate brings intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a willingness to challenge conventional approaches to deliver meaningful business outcomes.
This role is best suited for someone who thrives in growth and change , values collaboration, and is energized by working as part of a highly consultative HR team supporting a complex, operations-driven business.
At Southern Company Operations, our work has a direct impact on the lives of millions of people. From generating reliable electricity to maintaining critical transmission infrastructure, our employees help keep homes, businesses, schools, and communities connected and powered. Our teams operate one of the largest and most diverse energy portfolios in the nation, supporting customers with reliable power while advancing new technologies and cleaner energy solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a strategic HR partner to leaders, providing guidance on organizational effectiveness, workforce strategy, and people-related decisions
- Build strong, credible relationships and influence at multiple levels of the organization through thoughtful consultation and insight
- Assess business needs, diagnose root causes, and deliver practical, data-informed HR solutions aligned with operational priorities
- Partner on workforce planning, succession strategy, and talent pipelines to support both near- and long-term business needs
- Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on employee relations, performance management, and change leadership
- Lead and support initiatives tied to organizational change, team effectiveness, and business transformation
- Collaborate closely with HR Centers of Excellence to ensure alignment and effective delivery of HR programs and services
- Identify opportunities to enhance HR impact by leveraging trends, metrics, and external insights
- Contribute to a culture of safety, inclusion, integrity, and high performance consistent with Southern Company values
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred
- Advanced degree or HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR) is a plus
- 3–5 years of progressive HR experience , with a strong preference for HR Business Partner or consultative roles; however, open to an experienced HR generalist with the potential, ability, and desire to grow into a consultative role
- Demonstrated experience supporting leaders in a complex or operations-based environment (energy, utilities, manufacturing, etc.) preferred
- Proven ability to influence decision-making and navigate ambiguous or evolving business needs
- Experience with workforce planning, organizational change, and HR project implementation preferred
- Broad knowledge across HR disciplines, including employee relations, talent management, workforce planning, and compliance
- Strong consulting and problem-solving capability , with the ability to think beyond standard approaches
- Out-of-the-box thinker who can translate business challenges into innovative, actionable HR solutions
- Effective communicator with strong facilitation, coaching, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities and operate with flexibility in a changing environment
- High level of professional judgment, discretion, and accountability
- Opportunity to operate as a true HR consultant , not just a functional resource
- Direct partnership with leaders in a business that is actively growing and evolving
- Part of a collaborative HR Delivery team that values diverse thinking and continuous improvement
- Ability to shape how HR shows up in the business through creativity and influence
- Must be in Birmingham, AL or within a reasonable commuting distance
- This is an on-site role based at the Energy Center
Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .
Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.
Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Job Identification: 20472
Job Category: Human Resources
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Southern Company Services