Human Resources Business Partner I/II - Office of Human Resources

About the role

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) at Carnegie Mellon University is seeking an HR Business Partner I or II to support academic and administrative units. This role involves delivering strategic guidance and tactical execution, collaborating with leaders to achieve HR goals, and providing a seamless employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to develop HR strategies and people agendas, focusing on Employee Relations, Performance Management, Community and Culture, Workforce Planning, Recruitment, Onboarding, Offboarding, Training, and Operational and Continuous Improvement.
• Achieve OHR goals by assessing and resolving employee relations matters, guiding leaders on appropriate courses of action, identifying trends, designing strategies to improve engagement, and advocating for employees' concerns.
• Coach managers on effective supervision, continuous feedback, and professional development, and provide expert guidance on performance improvement strategies and disciplinary processes.
• Foster a positive and dynamic workplace by championing HR solutions and creating an environment where all faculty, staff, and students feel respected, supported, and positioned to do their best work.
• Drive workforce planning initiatives by evaluating current team structures, skills, and capacity, and designing optimal organizational models that support long-term goals.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition on staffing strategies, equip managers with onboarding resources, and conduct exit discussions.
• Build manager and employee capabilities through training and individual coaching, and partner with internal HR groups to deliver customized learning programs.
• Leverage workforce analytics to deliver actionable insights to leadership, collaborate with HR functional partners, lead continuous process improvements, and mentor HR Generalists to elevate team performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies and Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge across core HR disciplines, including employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition, organizational design, change management, total rewards, and learning and development.
• Collaborative and service-oriented leadership skills with a track record of building strong partnerships across all organizational levels.
• Executive presence, with the ability to communicate effectively with leadership, navigate complex situations, and positively influence organizational change.
• A strong sense of urgency with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills to explore alternatives, solve complex problems, and make sound decisions.
• An uncompromising commitment to confidentiality, high attention to detail, and sound judgment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, or related field required (advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum of five years of related HR experience, including at least one year of dedicated employee relations experience for HR Business Partner I, and at least three years of dedicated employee relations experience for HR Business Partner II.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Preferred experience includes PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP certification, experience in a complex, matrixed organization with decentralized processes, and experience using Workday or related HRIS platforms.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a background check.
• Sponsorship: Applicants must be currently authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or transfer employment visas for this position.

Additional Information

• Work Posture: Through December 31, 2026: 3 days on-site / 2 days remote. Effective January 4, 2027: 4 days on-site / 1 day remote.
• Location: Pittsburgh, PA.
• Job Function: HR Services and Operations.
• Position Type: Staff – Regular Full Time/Part time Full time.
• Pay Basis: Salary.
• More Information: Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
• Click here to view a listing of employee benefits.
• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.