HR Business Partner, Performance

The University of Pennsylvania, a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation, is the largest private employer in Philadelphia. Consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the U.S., Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia, combining a beautiful urban campus with access to diverse educational, cultural, and recreational activities. The University provides a competitive benefits package, including excellent healthcare, tuition benefits, generous retirement plans, professional development opportunities, and a range of health and wellness programs.

About the Role

DAR HR is seeking a strategic, people-centered HR Business Partner (HRBP) with broad HR generalist experience to support the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) organization. This role serves as a trusted advisor to leaders, managing the full employee lifecycle for over 600 employees. The HRBP will drive performance management, workforce planning, onboarding/offboarding, and employee relations while championing data-driven decision-making and organizational change in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Performance Management & Employee Relations:
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees on complex employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, performance improvement, and disciplinary actions.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners to design and implement HR programs that enhance employee engagement and align with organizational goals.
  • Strengthen performance management practices and promote a culture of continuous feedback and accountability.
• Onboarding & Offboarding:
  • Manage onboarding programs for new DAR staff, ensuring a consistent and engaging experience through the first 90 days.
  • Use data and feedback to assess onboarding effectiveness and recommend process improvements.
  • Coordinate offboarding processes, ensuring compliance and a positive employee experience.
  • Analyze offboarding data to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Workforce Planning:
  • Partner with the Director of HR and department leaders to support strategic workforce planning, including team structure and organizational design.
  • Use data-driven insights to anticipate future talent needs and support proactive staffing strategies.
• Training:
  • Support the Director of Learning & Development in designing and co-facilitating training programs on performance management, goal setting, and other HR topics.
  • Develop and deliver training resources to enhance employee and manager effectiveness.
• General HR:
  • Contribute to HR operations by leveraging data analytics to inform strategic decisions and promote operational excellence.
  • Provide expert guidance on HR policies, compliance, and workplace challenges while fostering an inclusive culture.
  • Champion HR excellence and continuous improvement across the employee lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 to 5 years of progressive HR experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• HR Generalist Expertise: Demonstrated experience managing employee relations, workforce planning, compensation, and performance review initiatives.
• Compliance & Policy Knowledge: Deep understanding of employment laws, HR policies, and compliance standards.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Strong ability to build trusted relationships and provide empathetic HR coaching.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Strong judgment and analytical skills to navigate complex employee matters with discretion.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Experience working in a matrixed environment and supporting HR colleagues as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR Certification: PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.
• Technology Skills: Experience with HR systems such as Workday, Qualtrics, and AI-driven tools.
• 5 to 7 years of progressive HR experience.

Key Attributes for Success

• Empathetic and emotionally intelligent, with a passion for supporting people through challenges.
• Strong sense of accountability and integrity, ensuring fairness in HR practices.
• Strategic thinker with attention to both big-picture and operational details.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

About the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (DAR)

The Office of Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) plays a critical role in securing resources to maintain Penn’s strength and support its vision for the future. DAR fosters lifelong connections with over 300,000 alumni, encouraging participation in University activities and forming the core of Penn’s philanthropic network. The department emphasizes cooperation, coordination, and collaboration across schools and centers to advance fundraising goals.

Pay

Salary range: $77,330.00 - $92,790.00 annually. Offers are based on candidate qualifications, experience, skills, and education, aligned with external market data and internal peer benchmarks.

Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Flexible spending accounts for eligible health and dependent care expenses.
• Tuition Benefits: Tuition assistance for employees, spouses, and dependent children at Penn and other institutions.
• Retirement: Generous retirement plans with pre-tax or Roth options and a variety of investment choices through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Substantial paid time off for vacations, personal affairs, illness, or family needs.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Coverage for employees and eligible family members, with no underwriting requirements if applied for at hire.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Programs to support work-life balance and personal well-being.