Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP)

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) serves as a strategic advisor and consultant to assigned business leaders and management teams, aligning human resources practices with organizational objectives. This role partners closely with leaders to support workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, employee relations, performance management, and change initiatives. The HRBP operates with a high degree of autonomy, providing both strategic guidance and hands-on execution across core HR disciplines.

The HRBP is expected to balance strong business acumen with deep HR expertise, proactively identifying people-related risks and opportunities, and delivering solutions that support organizational performance, culture, and compliance.

The HRBP will assist in managing employee relations issues and updating/creating HR policies.  Learning and understanding union laws, contracts, and working with unions will also be part of the job responsibilities.  

This role will report to and work closely with the Chief People & Culture Officer. This is a hands-on role that will require both a strategic and tactical approach and will be expected to work well collaboratively and independently.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic HR Planning: Identifies current and future HR needs and proposes solutions to enhance organizational effectiveness. Partners with managers and other key stakeholders across the organizations. Coach leaders on effective people management, feedback, and performance improvement practices. Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and employment practices across assigned departments/teams.

2. Employee Relations: Promotes a positive work environment and fosters employee engagement and morale. Provides consultation and guidance on employee relations matters, performance management, disciplinary actions, conflict resolution and grievance procedures (in unionized areas).

3. Unions and Collective Bargaining: Serves as the HR point of contact for addressing labor relations, compensation, benefits, and talent management issues/inquiries related to hiring within unionized areas (in partnership with WETA’s legal team). Partner closely with union representatives as needed throughout the process.

4. Workforce Planning and Talent Management: Oversees internal staff moves and workforce planning. Develops workforce planning and talent review strategies to address current and future staffing needs. Consults with managers on internal talent initiatives.

5. Performance Management: Supports the performance management process and partners with people managers to ensure the process is completed effectively. Provides coaching and feedback to managers and employees to support professional development and establish goals. Supports and provides consulting around the performance improvement process (in partnership with managers) when needed.

6. Manager/Employee Development: Leads efforts to enhance skills and competencies companywide. Identifies training needs and collaborates with managers to establish training actions. Collaborates with others in the department to plan and execute learning initiatives.

7. Other duties as assigned: May be asked to manage and/or support special projects or handle other tasks as needed.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Operates as a senior individual contributor or lead HR partner for assigned departments or divisions.
• Works with moderate to high complexity and ambiguity, exercising independent judgment and decision-making authority when required.
• Expected to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and proactively anticipate business and people needs.
• Skill in managing employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Understanding of employment laws and regulations to ensure the organization's HR practices comply with legal requirements.
• Proficiency in using data and analytics to measure HR metrics such as turnover rates, employee engagement, and workforce productivity.
• Adherence to ethical standards and maintaining confidentiality with sensitive HR information.
• Skill in negotiating HR-related agreements and resolving conflicts between employees or departments.
• Familiarity with HR software and systems for managing payroll, performance evaluations, applicant tracking, and other HR functions.
• Capacity to develop long-term HR plans aligned with organizational goals and adapt strategies to evolving business needs.
• Awareness and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Knowledge of union rules and laws preferred (but not required).

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Emotional intelligence
• Relationship building
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Conflict resolution
• Accountability
• Problem solving

EDUCATION:

• BA/BS (4-Year College / University Degree)

LOCATION:

WETA and NewsHour Productions are Washington, DC established media and news organizations. We are a largely local workforce based out of the Campbell Place office in Arlington, VA. WETA and NewsHour Productions value employee flexibility when possible. Most positions based in our Arlington, VA office will be onsite or hybrid, depending upon the role.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

WETA and its subsidiary NewsHour Productions LLC serve local and national public media audiences by producing and distributing content of intellectual integrity and cultural merit. Through broadcast, digital and community services, the organization offers compelling, diverse programming on five television channels, including primary channel WETA PBS, and on WETA Classical, the exclusive home for classical music in the nation’s capital; produces a portfolio of national television productions, including PBS NewsHour, recognized globally for bringing balanced, in-depth news coverage to all Americans; creates impactful documentaries with longtime production partners Ken Burns and Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; features a variety of content offerings on weta.org, WETA Passport, the PBS Video App and the WETA Classical App; and serves communities near and far with education and engagement initiatives that contribute to the company’s mission of public service. Benefits | WETA

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

WETA and NewsHour Productions are equal opportunity employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and internships. WETA and NewsHour Productions make hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.