Manager, HR Business Partner at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a senior, hands-on HR business partner, providing sound judgment and execution across employee relations, performance management, policy application, and people operations 
• Coach and advise managers on effective people management practices, including feedback, documentation, performance improvement, accountability, and fair decision-making 
• Lead and support complex employee relations matters as needed, including investigations, corrective action, performance concerns, and separations, in partnership with the Chief People & Culture Officer 
• Draft, review, and maintain HR policies and practices, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and alignment with organizational values 
• Proactively identify people-related risks, trends, or gaps and recommend preventative, practical solutions that support a stable and effective workplace 
• Partner with People & Culture leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, talent reviews, succession planning, and leadership readiness initiatives 
• Support and continuously improve performance management processes, including leader training, calibration support, and clear communication across cycles 
• Facilitate change management and transition support during periods of growth, structural change, or organizational evolution 
• Pull, analyze, and interpret people data and metrics (e.g., workforce trends, engagement insights, performance patterns) to inform strategy and leadership decision-making 
• Serve as a key partner for HRIS administration, ensuring data accuracy, secure information management, effective workflows, and reliable reporting 
• Ensure accurate, timely, and confidential management of personnel records, personnel action forms, and sensitive employee data 
• Develop and deliver clear people-related communications, including policy updates, organizational announcements, and performance or talent cycle guidance 
• Assess the people impact of organizational changes and partner with leaders on readiness planning, communication strategies, and transition support 
• Act as a steward of organizational culture and values by identifying patterns that impact employee experience and partnering with leaders to reinforce alignment 
• Participate in cross-functional and People & Culture initiatives and projects as assigned 

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision. 
• Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others to achieve the best output possible. 
• Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders. 
• Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity. 
• Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely
• Building Trust & Relationship Management : Accountable Ownership and clearly shares information and the "why" behind decisions.  Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening. Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding.  Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies. Identifies interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts effectively. 
• Accountable Ownership: Takes ownership of outcomes, positive or negative, without blaming others within the team or cross-functionally.  Recognizes when they are not approaching a situation with accountability but instead with a blame mindset. Takes accountability for assigned tasks and executes on deliverables in a timely manner. 
• Strategic Alignment & Execution: Contributes to the organization by understanding and aligning actions with the organization's goals, core functions, needs, and values.  Seeks out and incorporates multiple perspectives, experiences, and industry trends to develop a holistic perspective. Operationalizes ideas within the business model.  Displays critical thinking when faced with a challenge by asking probing questions and looking for connections. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 8–12+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years in a senior HR Business Partner, employee relations, or HR management role 
• Proven experience supporting leaders in complex, mission-driven or public-facing organizations 
• Solid working knowledge of California employment law and HR compliance best practices
• Demonstrated experience in policy development, HR compliance, labor relations and performance management 
• Strong experience administering HRIS and ATS platforms, including workflow configuration, reporting, data governance, and user adoption; experience with Rippling, Lever, AlertMedia administration a plus. 
• Excellent communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and influence at all levels 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and adapt to evolving organizational needs in a dynamic environment