TITLE: Director of HR Business Partner
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
REPORTS TO: Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
SALARY: $115,000 - $120,000
LOCATION: Hybrid - Chicago, IL.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
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.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
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
QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or HR certification (SHRM-SCP, SPHR) preferred.
Experience:
- 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
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking & enterprise mindset
- Change leadership
- Sound judgment and discretion
- Collaboration and influence
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT SHEDD: We offer competitive compensation packages and opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
- Medical Insurance, including FSA and HSA plan options
- Vision and Dental Insurance
- Accrued Paid Time Off
- Up to 12 Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
- 401(k)
- Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness program, including Preventive Care Incentive
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Tickets
Reasonable Accommodations:
Shedd Aquarium is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the employment process, please email us at jobs@sheddaquarium.org.
We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. 