Lead, HR Business Partner

As a Lead Human Resources Business Partner at Bridgestone, you will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought leader supporting West R&D businesses. This role partners closely with executive leaders and people managers across functions including Research & Development, Product Development, and Advanced Materials and other enterprise teams to drive business outcomes through effective people strategies.

You will help shape and execute HR strategy across the full teammate lifecycle balancing near term execution with longer-term organizational capability building. The ideal candidate brings strong business acumen, a consultative mindset, and a proven ability to deliver creative, practical solutions to complex HR challenges.

This highly visible role offers meaningful executive exposure, influence over functional strategy, and the opportunity to have a lasting impact on teammate experience and business performance.

• Serve as a strategic HR partner to senior leaders across West R&D, aligning people strategies with business priorities and long-term goals
• Provide thought leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and capability development
• Influence and support leaders through change, transformation, and periods of growth or complexity

• Partner closely with the Talent team and business leaders to drive talent reviews, succession planning, leadership development, and career pathways aligned to business priorities, performance, potential, and future skill needs
• Lead integrated talent and organizational effectiveness initiatives including: talent acquisition strategy, org design, structure, and capability enhancements to strengthen leadership capability, bench strength, and long-term readiness

• Partner closely with the Compensation team to build and maintain a strong understanding of the company's compensation philosophy, programs, and playbook
• Effectively apply compensation principles and guidelines in advising leaders and supporting talent-related decisions
• Partner closely with the business to effectively execute our internal technical career progressions.

• Own and address complex teammate relations matters with sound judgment, consistency, and empathy
• Champion teammate engagement, inclusion, and culture initiatives in line with Bridgestone's values
• Advise leaders on performance management, teammate concerns, and risk mitigation

• Trusted advisor to senior leaders across the business, recognized for insight, credibility, and results
• Clear alignment between business needs and people strategies
• Strong leadership bench and measurable improvement in engagement and retention
• Scalable HR solutions that support both current and future business needs
• Ability to operate at both the strategic and execution level, shifting seamlessly between the two
• Strong judgment and comfort making decisions in ambiguous, high-visibility situations
• Discipline in planning, sequencing, and follow-through
• Willingness to engage directly, challenge constructively, and hold leaders accountable
• Comfort working across a matrixed environment, driving alignment without direct authority
• Clear, concise communicator who can simplify complexity for leaders and teams

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required (Master's or MBA strongly preferred)
• 6+ years of progressive HR experience
• Strong background in organizational design and effectiveness
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and navigate complex stakeholder environments
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Experience supporting complex business groups and environments
• Strength in organizational design, change leadership, and talent management
• Demonstrated ability to drive results, not just provide recommendations

• HR certification (SHRM or HRCI)
• Customer-focused, solutions-oriented mindset
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, matrixed environments
• Track record of partnering effectively across all organizational levels