What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Human Resources Business Partner position at UMass Amherst?
Title: Executive Human Resources Business Partner
Executive Area: Human Resources
College/School/MBU: Human Resources
Department: Office of Human Resources
Work Location: Amherst
Schedule: Full Time
Work Arrangement:Remote
Job Summary
UMass Amherst is seeking an experienced and strategic Executive HR Business Partner (HRBP) to provide leadership and direction to a team of HR Business Partners who support assigned colleges and administrative units across the University. Reporting to the Senior Director for HR Embedded Services, the Executive HRBP plays a critical role in delivering high-impact HR services that align talent strategy with the University's academic and operational priorities.
This position serves as a senior advisor to institutional leaders while coaching and developing HRBPs in their work as strategic consultants. The Executive HRBP collaborates with Centers of Excellence (COEs) across Compensation & Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Labor Relations, and Total Rewards to deliver integrated HR solutions and drive change across a complex, unionized higher education environment.
Essential Functions
Strategic HR Leadership
Serve as a senior HR advisor to assigned deans, department heads, and administrative leaders, providing guidance on workforce strategy, organizational design, talent planning, and change management.
Partner with senior leadership to understand unit goals and challenges and align HR solutions that advance institutional strategy.
Promote a culture of inclusion, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement across all assigned areas.
Team Supervision & Development
Lead, coach, and develop a team of 4-6 HR Business Partners who serve assigned academic and administrative units.
Provide direction, feedback, and support to ensure consistency, quality, and impact of HRBP service delivery across the university.
Manage workload distribution and ensure appropriate coverage for portfolios and strategic initiatives.
Talent Management & Workforce Planning
Partner with units to develop and implement workforce and succession plans aligned with current and future talent needs.
Collaborate with Employee Engagement and Talent Development teams to assess leadership bench strength and identify development opportunities.
Facilitate talent reviews and consult on job architecture, promotions, and organizational structure.
Employee & Labor Relations
Lead and support the HRBP team in managing all aspects of employee relations, including performance management, corrective actions, workplace concerns, grievance handling, and policy interpretation.
Ensure HRBPs provide consistent and effective ER guidance to supervisors and employees, with routine matters handled by HRBP I/II roles and complex or high-risk issues escalated to HRBP III/senior HRBPs or the HRBP Lead.
Foster a proactive and solutions-focused ER approach that promotes accountability, inclusion, and employee engagement.
Collaborate with the Labor Relations COE on matters involving collective bargaining agreements, formal grievances, and union engagement, ensuring alignment between employee relations actions and contractual obligations.
Support HRBPs in partnering effectively with the Labor Relations COE for issues that intersect both ER and LR scopes.
Organizational Design & Change Management
Lead or consult on organizational assessments, restructures, and change initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and financial sustainability.
Provide guidance on job redesigns, spans of control, and reporting structures to improve operational effectiveness.
HR Program Implementation
Serve as a liaison between Embedded Services and HR COE's to ensure seamless implementation of HR programs (e.g., performance management, engagement surveys, merit increases).
Monitor trends, assess impact, and recommend improvements to HR programs and policies based on stakeholder feedback and institutional needs.
Other Functions
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field.
More than 10 years of progressive HR experience, including advanced employee and/or labor relations leadership in highly complex organizational environments.
At least five (5) years of people leadership or team management experience.
Executive-level experience leading resolution strategies for high-risk, enterprise-wide, or highly sensitive employee and/or labor relations matters; advising senior leadership on organizational risk, conflict navigation, and institutional response strategies.
Demonstrated experience as a strategic HR Business Partner or HR leader supporting senior-level clients.
Strong knowledge of workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, and organizational design.
Experience navigating a complex, matrixed, or unionized environment.
Strategic thinking skills with proven ability to lead change and align HR services with organizational goals.
Exceptional communication, influence and relationship building skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, or related field.
Higher education or public-sector experience.
Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and labor relations practices.
Experience supervising or mentoring HR professionals.
Active HR certification (i.e. PHR, SHRM-CP.)
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.
Work Schedule and Work Arrangement
Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee's work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. As this position is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.
Additional Details
This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.
Salary Information
Pay Grade:PSSAP Grade 34
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Special Instructions for Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.