Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Location: New York City (Hybrid – three days per week in the office)

About Hachette Book Group

Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading U.S. trade publisher and a division of Hachette Livre, one of the world's largest publishing companies.

Our HR team plays an important role in helping our employees and leaders do their best work. We partner closely with business leaders to develop talent, build strong teams, support organizational change, and create an environment where employees can grow and thrive.

At HBG, we are guided by four core pillars: Understanding Consumers, Changing the Story, Owner Mentality, and Growth Mindset. We look for HR professionals who are curious about the business, build collaborative relationships, take ownership of their work, continuously seek opportunities to improve, and embrace learning and new challenges.

Position Summary

The Senior Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) serves as a strategic partner to assigned business leaders, providing expert guidance across all aspects of the employee lifecycle. This role partners closely with leadership on talent strategy, organizational effectiveness, employee relations, change management, and workforce planning while leading full-cycle recruitment for assigned client groups.

In addition to supporting client groups, the Senior HRBP plays an important role in advancing department-wide initiatives through ownership of key HR programs, delivery of leadership training, and mentoring junior HR team members.

Essential Responsibilities

HR Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary Human Resources Business Partner for assigned client groups, building trusted relationships with business leaders and employees.
• Coach managers and senior leaders on performance management, employee relations, organizational design, talent development, succession planning, and leadership effectiveness.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance improvement processes, organizational changes, and restructuring initiatives.
• Partner with leaders to anticipate workforce needs and develop practical HR strategies that support business objectives.
• Conduct new hire check-ins and exit interviews, identify trends, and recommend actions to strengthen the employee experience.
• Lead annual talent reviews and succession planning discussions for assigned client groups.
• Use HR metrics, employee feedback, and business insights to identify trends and recommend practical solutions.

Talent Acquisition

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for assigned client groups.
• Partner with hiring managers on workforce planning, recruiting strategies, interviewing, candidate selection, and offer development.
• Deliver an exceptional candidate and hiring manager experience throughout the recruitment process.

HR Programs, Training & Department Leadership

• Own assigned department-wide HR programs and lead continuous improvement efforts.
• Design, facilitate, and continuously enhance assigned HR training initiatives, which may include Management Training, Employment Law, Performance Management, Labor Relations, and other leadership development programs.
• Mentor and coach Associate HR Business Partners and HR Business Partners, providing guidance on employee relations, manager coaching, and professional development.
• Partner with the Director of Human Resources on department initiatives, process improvements, and cross-functional projects.
• Contribute to the development of manager resources, HR communications, and department toolkits.
• Support labor relations initiatives and help ensure HR practices remain compliant with collective bargaining agreements and employment laws.
• Demonstrate flexibility by contributing wherever needed to support department priorities and deliver excellent service to employees and managers.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including experience serving as an HR Business Partner or HR Generalist supporting multiple client groups.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, manager coaching, and organizational change.
• Experience managing full-cycle recruitment.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong business acumen with an Owner Mentality and the ability to balance employee needs with business priorities.
• Demonstrated Growth Mindset, including curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Experience designing or facilitating leadership development or HR