Senior Human Resources Business Partner; Strategic Advisor , Gen Govt

Position Description

About Seattle Center:

Seattle Center is where community comes together—an iconic, inclusive destination that delights and inspires the human spirit. Seattle Center is the region's premier civic, arts and family gathering place in the core of our city and region, home to more than 30 arts, cultural, and entertainment organizations, family attractions, and tourist amenities. Seattle Center expanded its role recently beyond our well‑known 74-acre campus, to serve as the City’s lead for operating Seattle’s new Waterfront Park, a series of new public spaces on Seattle’s downtown waterfront between Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium.

As a department of the City of Seattle, Seattle Center contributes to the quality of life for Seattle residents—and the region's economy and image as its top visitor destination.

About this position:

Are you people‑centered? A big‑picture thinker? Motivated by meaningful impact and energized by collaborative, creative work? Seattle Center is seeking an experienced Senior Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) to join our small but mighty team of HR visionaries.

This role focuses primarily on employee and labor relations
, while also providing broad HR consultation across policy, staffing, training and performance management. You will serve as a strategic thought‑partner to the HR Manager and step in as needed during their absence.

We are committed to equitable policies and practices. This position requires a relational approach, openness to learning, and the ability to apply race and social justice principles to all work.

Key Responsibilities:

Employee & Labor Relations

• Serve as the primary HR consultant and advisor for labor and employee relations matters.
• Provide results‑oriented resolutions that prioritize those harmed and restore functional work groups.
• Mediate disputes and facilitate conflict‑resolution discussions.
• Conduct thorough, objective investigations and prepare clear reports.
• Advise managers on performance management, disciplinary actions, and performance improvement plans.
• Participate in grievance responses and settlement analyses.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Attend Labor Management Committee and Joint Labor Management Committee meetings.

HR Consultation & Advisory Support

• Build trust with managers, employees, and labor partners while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
• Educate leaders on HR policies, legal requirements, and best practices.
• Provide guidance that integrates fairness, equity, compassion, and business needs.
• Support department‑wide strategies to address performance or disciplinary issues.
• Collaborate with the HR Manager and agency leadership as a strategic thought partner.

Training, Development & Organizational Effectiveness

• Work with the Organizational Development team member to assess training needs and deliver 1:1 or group training sessions.
• Review and analyze business data to identify trends and recommend improvements to employee experience, performance, and retention.
• Lead or participate in projects to create, revise, or improve HR policies, procedures, and practices.
• Work collaboratively across the organization to enhance customer service and HR effectiveness.

General HR Support

As part of a small, flexible team, this role may also advise on:

• Recruitment, selection, hiring, onboarding and offboarding
• Leave and ADA management
• Benefits
• Training and development initiatives

Required Qualifications:

A demonstrated deep technical knowledge and expertise in Human Resources, particularly in providing coaching, guidance, and direction to executives, managers and line‑level staff will be essential in this role. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. Your strong, hands‑on work ethic and desire to achieve excellence will be essential.

Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if you have experience in:

• Professional communication skills, verbal and in writing, with a diverse employee base, as well as with all…