University of Pennsylvania Hiring for HR Business Partner, Performance & Culture- The Wharton School at Steinberg/Dietrich Hall Full Time

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job TitleHR Business Partner, Performance & Culture- The Wharton SchoolJob Profile TitleAssociate Director C, Human Resources, School/ CenterJob Description SummaryWharton School Overview
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a diverse population of staff, representing a rich array of backgrounds, expertise, and cultures. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.Job Description

Responsibilities:

Wharton Human Resources is looking for a dedicated HR Business Partner for Performance & Culture to join our team. This role is pivotal in developing a high-performance, inclusive culture, focusing predominately on managing employee relations. The ideal candidate will skillfully navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, mediating and resolving staff issues, and providing hands-on coaching to managers in various aspects of people management.

Reporting to the Director of HR, this role contributes to driving thoughtful workplace practices and overseeing people-related initiatives, from specific projects to annual events like performance reviews. The HR BP will also play a key role in modernizing business systems, gauging workplace climate, and reviewing analytics to inform future decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Employee Relations: Manage and resolve complex staff relations issues, including conducting investigations and mediations. Provide coaching on performance management, evaluations, retention strategies, reorganizations, disciplinary actions, and terminations. Conduct proactive check-ins and address employee concerns related to workplace dynamics and performance.
• HR & People Operations: Serve as an HR generalist on a wide variety of employee topics. Provide expert coaching and practical solutions to staff and faculty on best practices, addressing workplace challenges and concerns. Offer FMLA/STD/LOA counsel to employees and managers, ensuring proper processing of leaves. Interpret and communicate HR policies, ensuring compliance with Penn policies and legal requirements.
• Strategy & Program Development: Contribute to creating employee listening strategies, utilizing engagement surveys and exit interviews to measure and enhance the employee experience. Employ analytical thinking to identify focus areas and design strategies for improvement. Oversee and potentially redesign employee experience programs, encompassing development and training, staff committees, engagement, recognition, and retention.
• Event Planning and Execution: Organize internal connection events such as speaker events, trainings, and celebrations, aiming to foster a positive work environment and encourage staff well-being and development.

We seek a candidate who shares our passion for creating a diverse, respectful, and engaging environment, with a focus on human-centered solutions and robust support throughout the employee lifecycle. This role is crucial in shaping a positive, employee-centric experience at Wharton, continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of our school.

Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of experience in Employee Relations/Employee Experience, DEI, or other relevant Human Resources experience is required or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional required qualifications include:

• Human Resources Generalist experience. Strong administrative background with a solid knowledge of employee relations and labor law.
• Experience managing a high ER caseload.
• Experience with managing/coordinating elements of the employee lifecycle (e.g. goal setting, retention, development) and supporting people operations
• Strong DEI literacy skills. Ability to manage sensitive cultural situations with discretion and diplomacy. Adept at handling a variety of sensitive matters in a professional, mature, and confidential manner
• Experience providing management guidance on complex performance challenges. Experience crafting robust improvement plans.
• Strong time management, multitasking, organizational, and prioritization skills
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathetic and emotionally intelligent with a genuine passion for working with people and helping them succeed
• Ability to build relationships and trust. Must have a collaborative and collegial approach to seeking input. Team player who is committed to building a positive environment for all employees
• Open-minded, creative, and imaginative. Be excited by non-traditional and creative approaches to enhancing employee connection and collaboration
• Ability to leverage systems thinking and design thinking to solve employee problems. Committed to continuous improvement
• Strategic mindset – comfortable thinking one week, one month, or one year ahead of where the team is now

Preferred qualifications:

• management experience
• HR certification (PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP)
• Proven project management ability and track record in developing, driving, and delivering programs and initiatives
• Openness to learning and using various tech platforms (e.g., Workday, Qualtrics, Trello, Canva, Slack)
• Survey design and analysis skills
• Experience with CA employment law a plus

All applicants must submit a cover letter. Tell us about your passion for creating innovative and valuable employee experiences!

Wharton HR actively seeks and welcomes people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities, to apply.

Job Location – City, StatePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaDepartment / SchoolWharton SchoolPay Range$51,824.00 – $90,000.00 Annual RateSalary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you’ll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay