Executive Director, Business Partnerships

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Executive Director, People Business Partnerships, based in San Diego, CA, leads the People Business Partner function and serves as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leaders, providing enterprise-level leadership on organizational design, performance management, talent strategy, talent development, and leadership effectiveness. As head of the People Business Partner team, the role strengthens PBP practices to drive employee attraction, retention, engagement, and overall organizational performance, aligning People and Performance with the company’s business strategy for long-term growth.

This position requires a balance of strategic vision and hands-on execution with the ability to influence across the organization.

• Serve as a senior advisor to executive leaders and people managers on organizational effectiveness, workforce strategy, leadership capability, and culture.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the PBP Team and Executive Leaders.
• Lead, develop, and scale the People Business Partner team, ensuring consistent practices, high capability, and strong business alignment.
• Create and develop consistent process and strategy across the PBP Team and throughout People and Performance.
• Design and implement a standardized PBP operating model, tools, and processes that support enterprise People and Performance objectives.
• Collaborate with process owners across Centers of Excellence (COEs) in Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Compensation Planning, Workforce Planning, Learning and Development, and Organizational Effectiveness to enhance efficiencies and role responsibilities.
• Provide direction on performance management and succession planning to develop key talent and bench strength for future needs and to retain top talent.
• Guide PBPs to advise leaders on business challenges, people implications, leadership effectiveness, culture, and alignment.
• Develop and implement change management plans to support organizational transformation, growth, and evolving business needs.
• Participate in the design and management of company-wide compensation programs in partnership with Compensation leadership.
• Model and reinforce collaboration, accountability, and results orientation across the People and Performance function.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

• Minimum of 15 years’ progressively responsible experience in Human Resources, with a minimum of 8 years in a people leadership role.
• Prior experience as a People Business Partner required, with experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders in highly regulated, fast-paced environments.

• Strategic thinking capability and ability to translate strategy into executable, practical HR solutions, with hands‑on HR plan implementation experience.
• Strong working knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local employment law.
• Coaching, influencing, facilitation, development, and problem‑solving skills with a results‑driven mindset.
• Excellent communication, presentation, consultative, partnership, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in business analysis and compensation planning and workforce analytics.
• Strong adaptability to changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to influence mid‑level and senior management and coach executive‑level leaders.
• Effective conflict resolution and negotiation capabilities.
• Experience collaborating with teams across multiple geographies and disciplines.
• Ability to build strong, trusting relationships and align diverse views within HR and the business.
• Skilled at negotiating with business partners or management and influencing senior leaders on strategic matters.
• Proficient at creating and communicating a clear vision and aligning people, resources, and initiatives to achieve goals.
• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and applicable job experience may be considered.

• Physical requirements:
  
  regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment; ability to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication; occasional lifting up to 20 pounds; ability to travel independently overnight or after‑hours as needed by travel schedules or business needs.
• Travel: ability to travel domestically up to 25%.