Senior People Leader

About the role

This role is based at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and offers a compensation package of $100,000–$105,000 per year, plus bonus eligibility. The position is full-time and exempt.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of this role is to serve as the Human Resources Business Partner for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), with support for Portland (PDX) and Spokane (GEG). This includes partnering with multiple Directors of Operations, General Managers, and operational leadership teams, as well as supporting multiple restaurant concepts and both union and non-union operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serving as the primary Human Resources Business Partner to airport operations leadership
• Translating operational goals into people strategies to improve staffing, engagement, retention, leadership capability, and organizational effectiveness
• Leading change management initiatives, employee communications, and organizational transitions
• Coaching leaders on employee relations, performance management, attendance, corrective action, documentation, and leadership effectiveness
• Conducting complex workplace investigations and ensuring consistent application of company policy
• Administering grievances, interpreting collective bargaining agreement provisions, and managing day-to-day union interactions
• Partnering with Legal and Employee Relations on employment-related matters
• Coaching and developing General Managers, Assistant Managers, and Operations leaders on leadership behaviors, accountability, employee engagement, and performance management
• Leading succession planning, talent reviews, leadership development, and internal mobility initiatives
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and collective bargaining agreements
• Analyzing workforce metrics to identify business opportunities and developing data-driven solutions to improve employee experience and business results

Requirements

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. They will also have:

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including 3–5 years supporting multi-unit operations as an HR Business Partner, HR Manager, Senior HR Generalist, or HR Leader
• Demonstrated experience supporting unionized workforces, including grievance administration and collective bargaining agreement interpretation
• Demonstrated success independently conducting complex workplace investigations and preparing employment recommendations
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and demonstrated ability to apply legal requirements while balancing operational needs and organizational risk
• Demonstrated business acumen with the ability to influence operational leaders, build credibility, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing priorities independently
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing investigations, executive communications, employment documentation, and presentations

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include experience supporting airport, hospitality, restaurant, retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, or other high-volume operational environments, as well as professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.

Benefits

The company offers a range of benefits, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Benefits including Life Insurance, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Pet Insurance
• SSP 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave

Skills

The successful candidate will have demonstrated proficiency using Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), including SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, UKG, ADP, Oracle HCM, or similar enterprise platforms. They will also have experience utilizing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), onboarding platforms, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and workforce reporting tools, as well as advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office.