Strategic HR Business Partner (st-HRBP)

What is an HR business partner?

The definition of a HR business partner is an experienced human resource professional who works directly with an organization's senior leadership to develop and direct an HR agenda that closely supports organizational goals. Rather than working primarily as part of the internal human resources department, the HR business partner works closely with senior leadership, perhaps sitting on the board of directors or collaborating regularly with the C-suite. Placing a human resources professional in close contact with executive leadership makes HR a part of the organizational strategy. The business partner model for human resources is becoming more and more popular among business organizations.

What does an HR business partner do?

The role of the HR business partner is to make sure human resource policy and procedure throughout the organization fit the needs, goals, and aims of the organization and its top leadership. There is less focus on administration, compliance, and management. Rather than performing the day-to-day trainings or dealing with policy wording or the details of benefits packages and hiring, the HR business partner works with the big picture.

The person in this position determines and steers the objectives of the human resources department of the organization, focusing more on developing strategy rather than implementing policy. The HR business partner ensures that HR strategy fits into the organization’s overall business strategy.

The HR business partner is not a vice president, nor is this person a human resource manager. Instead, an HR business partner is more of a consultant who works in human resources, building relationships and providing resources in departments throughout the organization.

What is the definition of a business partner?

The definition of a business partner includes any contractual, exclusive bond between parties that represents a commercial alliance. The two parties may be individuals who agree to work together to create and manage a business. The parties may also be separate teams, groups, or businesses that agree to cooperate and work together for a mutually beneficial common purpose.

What does it mean to be a strategic business partner?

A strategic business partner is a leader who is included in conversations about the future, mission, goals, and overall strategy of a company or organization. A strategic business partner, while not a member of the C-suite or executive leadership team, has a voice in their HR conversations. A strategic business partner is a consultant whose opinions and ideas are valued. The HR business partner is generally considered to be a strategic business partner that can offer recommendations, make decisions, and carry out goals.

To be valued as a strategic business partner and merit an invitation to conversations about the organization’s future, a human resources professional must have a certain set of skills and knowledge. This professional must understand all areas and departments of the business, and how HR can benefit these aspects. The individual is skilled in listening to problems and ideas, and in clearly articulating solutions.

HR business partner vs. HR manager

An HR business partner and HR manager are separate roles and represent two different models of conducting human resources services within an organization. The HR manager’s work focuses around developing policy and enforcing procedure. This position is accountable for systems such as processing payroll, recruiting, hiring, system administration, and more. The HR manager oversees the HR department.

The HR business partner, on the other hand, does not have administrative responsibilities over a department. Their primary function is to work with the company’s senior leadership team and with department managers to help guide and communicate overall company strategy. HR business partners collaborate with the HR department while consulting the executive team on HR issues and initiatives. They may have a hand in developing HR initiative and strategy that affects the whole organization.

Who Gets HRBP and Why?

A combination of structural and headcount criteria typically drive which groups are assigned an HRBP. Structural criteria help ensure effectiveness and headcount criteria ensure cost effi- cient staffing. A few consideration on Structural Criteria are:

1. Structural Criteria: HRBPs are almost always assigned to the highest level of a region and/ or function, with a matrix HR reporting structure not uncommon in large global organizations.

• Which geographies, business units and sublevels should get an HRBP? The allocation of BP’s

generally follows the organization structure of the business.

- In a more geographically structured business (single business, multiple geogra- phies), we typically see BPs at the country level and possibly below, depending on county headcount

- If organized by business unit (i.e. Wealth Management, Personal Banking), the BP assignments typically follows that structure.

- If either the country, region or BU is small enough, it’s often “clustered” with other similar structures to make it large enough for BP support.• Should all report to a single HRBP leader?

Advantages: Potential mentoring and leadership given to more junior Ps; single point of contact to CHRO for all nonCOE issues; can groom as potential CHRO successor

2. Headcount Criteria (ratios of BPs per employee): The desired ratio of BP support is typically driven by cost considerations. In our Benchmark section, we present extensive statistics on the ratios used by companies globally when adding BPs.

What Separates the best HRBPs from the rest:

1. Strong Functional Capabilities with Talent Expertise: They have meaningful expe- rience with compensation, talent acquisition and business partner activities, but have special depth in talent management, namely:

• Talent Expert: They can accurately assess potential (have a great “eye” for talent) and can accelerate the development of talent. They have a thorough, fact-based understand- ing of the tools and processes used to assess and develop talent, including assessment tools, talent reviews, experience maps, etc.

2. High Intellect: They can quickly process large amounts of information, connect and integrate data into new solutions or a better understanding of problems and identify weak spots in plans and programs.

3. Loves Business: They both understand and enjoy the business side of business. They know everything about the organization’s finances and operations and how talent man- agement affects each. They approach problem solving from a business-first perspective.

4. Builds Strong Relationships: They actively network within the organization, building high quality relationships with key leaders and high potentials.

5. Personal Drive to Succeed: They have ambition and display that appropriately through the quality of their work. They are driven by a strong internal desire to have more impact and influence in the organization.

HRBP Job Description

What are the specific job requirements?

Summary/Objective

The HR Business Partner (HRBP) position is responsible for aligning business objectives with employees and management in designated business units. The HRBP serves as a consultant to management on human resources-related issues. The successful HRBP will act as an employee champion and change agent. The HRBP assesses and anticipates HR-related needs. Communicating needs proactively with our HR department and business management, the HRBP seeks to develop integrated solutions. The HRBP formulates partnerships across the HR function to deliver value-added service to management and employees that reflect the business objectives of the organization. The HRBP may include international human resource responsibilities. The HRBP maintains an effective level of business literacy about the business unit’s financial position, its midrange plans, its culture and its competition.

Essential Functions

• Conducts weekly meetings with respective business units.

• Consults with line management, providing HR guidance when appropriate.

• Analyzes trends and metrics in partnership with the HR group to develop solutions, programs and policies.

• Manages and resolves complex employee relations issues. Conducts effective, thorough and objective investigations.

• Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance. Partners with the legal department as needed/required.

• Provides day-to-day performance management guidance to line management (coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions).

Works closely with management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention.

Provides HR policy guidance and interpretation.

• Develops contract terms for new hires, promotions and transfers.

• Assists international employees with expatriate assignments and related HR matters.

• Provides guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning and succession planning.

• Identifies training needs for business units and individual executive coaching needs.

• Participates in evaluation and monitoring of success of training programs. Follows-up to ensure training objectives are met.

General course details

Introduction

As an Strategic HR Business Partner you have many challenges to face and different roles to play. Acting as a mediator between employees and management, you are a key person for your organisation. You are asked to handle issues on operation management, strategic partnership, employee relations and emergency responding.

Objectives

At the end of the training, participants will be able to:

Analyse the complexity of their role as a HR business partners
Identify key success factors to create a positive working environment
Recruit the right candidate for their organisation
Handle communication effectively with both employees and management
Monitor the evaluation cycle and provide support in career management
Estimate employee recognition tools and reward practices
Coach employees and managers effectively to set their goals
Handle difficult situations (how to deal with difficult attitudes, low performance, etc.)

Content

Becoming a trusted advisor for both employees and managers
Developing your HR communication skills
Selecting and hiring the right people
Creating a positive work environment
Understanding your role in the evaluation cycle
Conducting training needs analysis and taking relevant action
Guiding employees to manage their career path
Developing your coaching skills (active listening, effective use of questions, etc.)
Managing employee behavior issues
Understanding the latest HR trends