Senior HR Business Partner

Title: Sr HR Business Partner

Location: San Francisco, California|San Jose, California

Job Description:

10+ Years of Experience

Overview

National multi-disciplinary architecture & engineering firm is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner to join their growing team! The Senior HR Business Partner serves as a strategic advisor to leaders, aligning people practices with business goals to drive performance, engagement, and growth. This role partners closely with leadership and employees to shape talent strategies, strengthen a high‑performance culture, and ensure HR programs are effectively implemented. The HRBP acts as a bridge between HR initiatives and the needs of a creative, design‑driven environment, supporting employee development, organizational effectiveness, and a healthy workplace culture.

This position supports teams in both San Francisco and San Jose and requires regular travel between the two locations. The role is hybrid, with an expectation of being in the office at least three days per week.

Responsibilities

Strategic partnership

• Partner with business leaders to understand priorities and translate them into actionable people strategies.

• Serve as a trusted advisor on workforce planning, organizational design, and talent development.

• Support the implementation of job architecture, competency frameworks, and career paths in collaboration with talent management.

Employee relations and engagement

• Coach and advise managers on employee relations, performance conversations, and team dynamics.

• Help foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high‑performing culture aligned with company values.

• Monitor engagement trends and recommend actions to improve retention and employee experience.​

Performance and talent management

• Support performance management processes that encourage ongoing feedback and clear expectations.

• Help identify high‑potential employees and partner with learning and development on growth plans.

• Use workforce and HR data to provide insights that inform talent and organizational decisions.

HR program delivery

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, with deep expertise in California requirements.

• Partner with Talent Acquisition on strategic hiring needs and workforce planning.

• Collaborate with Compensation & Benefits to ensure pay practices align with job architecture and market competitiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including employee relations, performance management, and talent development.

• Experience supporting professional services or creative/design‑driven organizations preferred.

• HR certification (SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP, PHR, SPHR) is a plus.

• Expert knowledge of California employment law.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to align HR strategies to organizational objectives.​

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.

• Comfort managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

• Analytical mindset and ability to use HR data and metrics in decision‑making.

• Proficiency with HR systems and Microsoft Office; experience with performance and learning platforms is helpful.

The organization is committed to an inclusive, people‑centered culture that values curiosity, collaboration, and thoughtful design. It supports flexibility, work‑life balance, and ongoing career growth within an in