Talent.com
Senior People Business Partner

Senior People Business Partner

Toyota Research InstituteCambridge, MA, US
30+ days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Senior People Business Partner

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we're on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We're developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we've built a world-class team in Automated Driving, Energy & Materials, Human-Centered AI, Human Interactive Driving, Large Behavior Models, and Robotics.

The People (P&C) team at TRI plays a critical role in supporting this mission. We partner across the organization to ensure that our people programs enable innovation, inclusion, and impact. We're a collaborative, curious, and values-driven group that's passionate about making TRI an exceptional place to work.

As a Senior People Business Partner, you will serve as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to leaders across the organization. This role is focused on strengthening organizational health, guiding change, and enabling high-impact people strategies that align with TRI's business goals. You'll work closely with stakeholders to support team effectiveness, employee engagement, and long-term talent success. Your ability to navigate both strategic initiatives and operational demands will be essential in building and sustaining a strong, inclusive workplace.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with leaders to align people strategies with evolving business needs and organizational priorities.
  • Guide organizational design decisions, including team structures, spans and layers, and headcount planning.
  • Coach managers and leaders on team dynamics, communication, employee development, and retention strategies.
  • Lead or support the execution of performance management, employee engagement, and succession planning initiatives.
  • Identify and assess workforce risks or gaps and develop proactive solutions in collaboration with the broader People team.
  • Assess external trends (e.g., macroeconomic shifts, DEI benchmarks, regulatory changes) and advise on implications for talent strategy.
  • Help drive and support change management efforts that ensure smooth transitions and consistent adoption of new programs or structures.
  • Partner cross-functionally with other People team members (e.g., People Operations, Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition) to ensure aligned and scalable solutions.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
  • 6-10 years of progressive HR experience, including business partnering responsibilities.
  • Proven ability to coach and influence leaders while balancing organizational goals with employee experience.
  • Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Experience navigating and resolving complex employee relations matters with discretion and integrity.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, hybrid environment.
  • Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Asana.
  • Willingness to travel up to 25%.
  • Bonus Qualifications

  • Experience supporting or partnering with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or DEI programs.
  • Familiarity with organizational effectiveness tools and frameworks (e.g., engagement surveys, span / layer analysis).
  • Knowledge of California and / or Massachusetts employment law.
  • HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR) are a plus.
  • Create a job alert for this search

    People Partner • Cambridge, MA, US