Human Resources Business Partner – Professional Staff

The Human Resources Business Partner serves as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to leaders across professional staff departments at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Based in New York, this role supports the full employee life cycle for assigned client groups, partnering with department leadership, managers, employees, and HR colleagues to develop and execute people strategies that align with the Firm's business objectives, culture, and commitment to excellence. Reporting to the Associate Director, HR Business Partner, the HR Business Partner will provide proactive, practical, and thoughtful HR guidance across a broad range of areas, including employee relations, performance management, compensation planning, talent development, engagement, organizational design, onboarding, offboarding, and change management.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic HR partner to leaders and managers across assigned professional staff departments; Build strong, trusted relationships with department leaders, managers, employees, and HR colleagues; Partner with leaders to develop and implement people strategies supporting engagement, retention, performance, professional development, and organizational effectiveness; Advise managers on employee relations matters, performance concerns, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, coaching, corrective action, separations, and other sensitive workplace issues; Assess complex people-risk scenarios and partner with Employee Relations, HR Compliance, legal, and other stakeholders as appropriate; Support the annual performance management process, including feedback collection, manager coaching, performance calibration, documentation, and follow-up; Partner with Talent Management and Compensation teams on annual compensation planning and offer development for new hires; Collaborate with Talent Acquisition on staffing needs, hiring strategies, and the hiring manager and candidate experience; Support onboarding and integration for new hires within assigned departments; Use HR data, reporting, and workforce insights to identify trends and support leaders' people decisions; Lead or support change management, organizational design, and cross-functional projects impacting assigned client groups; Partner with HR Centers of Excellence and other firm service areas to implement programs, policies, processes, and initiatives; Help foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing workplace culture; Maintain current knowledge of HR best practices, employment law developments, and Firm policies; Mentor or guide more junior HR team members, as appropriate; Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Requirements

Strong business acumen and ability to quickly understand departmental priorities, operating models, and talent needs; Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive personnel matters; Strong employee relations, coaching, and advisory skills, with the ability to provide practical, balanced, and business-oriented guidance; Ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with leaders, managers, employees, and colleagues across multiple functions and levels; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages to different audiences; Strong analytical skills and comfort using HR data and reporting to identify trends, generate insights, and recommend action; Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-expectation professional services environment; Strong project management, change management, and problem-solving skills; Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across a matrixed HR function and with cross-functional stakeholders; High degree of flexibility, adaptability, professionalism, and executive presence; Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint; Familiarity with HRIS systems; 7+ years of progressive human resources experience, including experience as an HR Business Partner or in a comparable HR advisory role; Demonstrated experience advising managers and leaders on employee relations, performance management, talent development, and organizational changes; Bachelor's degree required

Nice to have

Experience in a professional services, law firm, financial services, or similarly complex, fast-paced environment; Experience partnering with HR Centers of Excellence, including Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Compensation, Benefits, HR Compliance, and HR Operations; Degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field; Advanced degree and/or HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP); Workday experience