Senior Human Resources Business Partner

The City of Seattle believes in the diversity of our people, ideas, and experiences and is committed to building an inclusive culture that is representative of the community we serve. Seattle Human Resources (SHR) provides services for our diverse workforce to ensure employees are recruited equitably, managed fairly, are well-trained, supported, and assigned job duties to accomplish City’s goals. The Service Delivery team supports 700+ employees in 20 unique departments and executive offices. We have an opportunity for a Senior HR Business Partner to join our team. 

In this role, you will be a key member of the Service Delivery team. This is a critical position that delivers high-quality HR services to department directors, senior leaders, managers, and employees. You will provide expert advice on human resources best practices as it relates to employment, employee relations, labor relations, performance management, compliance in federal/state/local laws, and act as a collaborative business partner to your assigned departments. You will often be responsible for evaluating the risk associated with an employment action and consulting with relevant subject matter experts, such as the assigned City Attorney, Labor Relations, and Citywide Policy Adviser, to provide options and analysis on the request.

Your top 3 priorities in this role will be:

• Employee Relations, Labor Relations, and Performance Management functions, which must be handled with care, tact, and diplomacy
• Organizational Development and Change Management for your portfolio of departments, especially during changes in leadership, which may arise in the upcoming year
• Policy and Development, and recommendations for directors and their senior leaders during times of change or significant staffing concerns  
   

You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

A commitment to:

• Focusing your work through an equity lens and with the customers’ service needs top of mind
• Ensuring the City’s treatment of employees is fair, respectful, and consistent with core business values and expectations of the department 
• Maintaining relationships, even when the issue at hand is highly complex and filled with strong emotions 
• Having a high level of attention to detail
• Innovation and service excellence

The ability to:

• De-escalate highly complex matters 
• Know when to engage the right staff to create a plan  
• Communicate proactively when issues arise 
• Work collaboratively in a team environment  
• Be accountable, take action, and exercise independent and critical thinking
• Demonstrate strong communication and collaboration skills 
• Exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality 
• Articulate your recommendations and be willing to adjust as more information is made available
• Use your strong working knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and apply contractual provisions and Personnel Rules (or HR policies) to individual matters and operational decisions 

Experience in:

• A municipal or other public sector setting, particularly in a human resources role
• Providing HR Generalist support 
• Working collaboratively as a part of and across a team
• Navigating an HRIS system, particularly Workday
• Proactively managing multiple competing priorities with tight deadlines  
• Identifying inefficiencies and proposing process improvements 
• Labor relations, employee relations, accommodations, and organizational design

A demonstrated deep technical knowledge and expertise in Human Resources, particularly in providing coaching, guidance, and direction to executives, managers, and line-level staff will be essential in this role. A commitment to listening, creating space for diverse perspectives, and the pursuit of inclusive and just outcomes must be at the center of your professional practice. The ability to communicate at all levels thoughtfully and effectively will also contribute to your success. Your strong, hands-on work ethic and desire to achieve excellence will be essential. Specifically, you'll be prepared to take on this role if you have experience in:

• Communicating professionally and respectfully with a diverse employee base, as well as with all levels of staff and management, in a large organization. 
• Exercising professional judgment with sensitive and confidential issues 
• Effectively managing conflict while maintaining positive working relationships 
• Multiple HR disciplines, including performance management and organizational development 
• Providing coaching and consultative services to executives and management 
• Handling complex employee relations cases
• Labor laws, benefits, leaves, and/or accommodations 

This position reports to the Manager of the Service Delivery Division and is classified as a Strategic Advisor 1, Exempt. It is exempt from FLSA (not eligible for overtime), as well as exempt from the Civil Service system. The full pay range for this position is $51.88 - $77.82 per hour. The salary range for this individual position has been identified as $64.23 - $69.41 hourly. These hourly rates are reflective of the 2026 salary schedule.  

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 5, 2026. Second round interviews are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026. 

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office twice a week. Mondays are currently an in-office day for the team. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor. 

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Why work at the City? 

At the City of Seattle, public service is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape the future and make a meaningful difference in the lives of everyone who works, lives, or plays in our city. With 12,000 employees across 40+ departments and 1,100 job titles, we are united by a common purpose: to create a Seattle that is vibrant and welcoming for all. Whatever your role, you’ll help power a forward-looking city that leads by example — inclusive, innovative, equitable, and community-focused – while joining a diverse team committed to solving challenges and making a lasting impact together. Join us in building a Seattle where everyone thrives!

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please:

• Provide thoughtful and accurate responses to all supplemental questions
• Attach a PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities

We encourage you to review the City of Seattle’s Application and Interviewing Tips Guide, which may be used as a resource as you prepare to apply and interview for positions with the City of Seattle. 

This position is open to all applicants that demonstrate alignment with the skills and experience described above. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov.

This hiring process may be used to fill other vacancies in the near future.