Director, HR Business Partner

Shedd Aquarium•Chicago, IL

12h•$115,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, HR Business Partner is a senior contributor who serves as a strategic advisor to leaders and an enterprise partner across Human Resources. This role brings broad functional fluency across Total Rewards, Learning & Development, Employee Relations, Talent, and Organizational Effectiveness, while supporting people programs and internal HR departmental initiatives, and supporting the integration of DEAI practices across the organization The Director operates with a strong enterprise lens, translating strategy into practical, integrated people solutions that advance culture, performance, compliance, and employee experience.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior-level HRBP or enterprise HR role
Broad functional expertise across multiple HR disciplines
Strong background in employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness
Demonstrated experience leading change and influencing through partnership
Exceptional consulting, communication, and relationship-building skills
Strategic thinking & enterprise mindset
Change leadership
Sound judgment and discretion
Collaboration and influence
Bachelor’s degree required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or HR certification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred

Responsibilities

Strategic HR Business Partnership Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on a variety of people-focused organizational design, workforce planning, performance, engagement, and change
Provide data-informed insights and recommendations to support business and people strategy
Support select divisions or enterprise initiatives as an HR Business Partner
Enterprise Programs & Cross-Functional Partnership Partner closely with Total Rewards on benefits strategy, renewals, communications, and compensation projects (market reviews, equity analyses, job architecture)
Partner with Learning & Development on program design and delivery; co-facilitate and support delivery of select leadership, manager, and employee trainings in coordination with HR leaders
Assist with Employee Relations matters in coordination with HR leaders, including supporting complex case strategy, investigations, and manager coaching to help ensure consistent practices
Collaborate with Talent, HRIS, and other HR functions to ensure integrated execution of people initiatives
Change Management & Organizational Effectiveness Serve as a central change partner for major initiatives (e.g., HRIS transformation, performance framework, hybrid work model, policy updates, org redesigns)
Support change management for internal HR departmental initiatives (policy modernization, process improvements, new tools, and program rollouts)
Partner with HR leaders to help ensure people programs and practices align with employment laws, regulatory requirements, and internal policies
Develop change strategies, stakeholder engagement plans, communications, and leader toolkits
Drive adoption and reinforce new ways of working
Culture Integration Support the advancement of DEAI initiatives in partnership with HR and organizational leaders
Help embed inclusive practices into talent, performance, development, and employee experience processes
Contribute to tracking progress and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
Employee Experience & Engagement Serve as the strategic owner of enterprise employee experience and engagement initiatives
Provide direction and oversight for signature employee events (e.g., annual holiday event, summer event, recognition activities)
Ensure experiences reinforce organizational values and culture priorities
Partner with Communications, Marketing, and Operations on execution