Vice President, Human Resources

About the role

The Vice President of Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) at Flagship Labs will be a key leader responsible for shaping and executing the people strategy for the origination team within our Pioneering Business Units. This team consists of approximately 110 members, and the role involves partnering closely with senior leadership to foster a high-performance, innovative, and inclusive organizational culture. The VP, HRBP will serve as a strategic advisor, change agent, and trusted partner to the leadership team, helping translate business objectives into effective HR initiatives. This position will report directly to both the HR department and the Chief Operating Officer of Flagship Labs, ensuring alignment between HR strategies and overall organizational goals. The successful candidate will be deeply involved in talent management, workforce planning, organizational development, and employee engagement efforts, ensuring that Flagship's workforce is well-equipped to support its innovative mission and growth.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead and develop a team of HR Business Partners who provide support to the various companies within Flagship Labs, ensuring they have the HR resources and guidance needed to succeed.
• Act as a strategic partner and change agent, working closely with senior leadership to translate business strategies into HR practices that drive organizational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement initiatives that promote Flagship's innovative culture, foster employee engagement, and support sustainable business growth.
• Partner with Learning & Talent Development teams to design and execute leadership development programs that align with organizational goals and prepare future leaders.
• Identify opportunities for creating unified HR programs across the organization while customizing approaches to meet specific needs of different teams and units.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers and leaders on team effectiveness, performance management, employee relations, and HR policies.
• Assist managers in addressing complex HR issues, including conflict resolution, performance improvement, and workforce planning.
• Support talent acquisition efforts, including onboarding, immigration, and retention strategies, to ensure the organization attracts and retains top talent.
• Address daily HR needs of Pioneering Business Unit leaders and their teams, acting as a trusted resource for HR-related questions and challenges.
• Uphold and promote the employee experience, ensuring a positive, inclusive, and engaging workplace culture that aligns with Flagship's core values.
• Work with Talent Development to implement initiatives that enhance managerial capabilities, leadership skills, and organizational effectiveness.
• Monitor HR metrics and data to assess the effectiveness of HR programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant employment laws and regulations, maintaining high standards of HR governance.
• Drive continuous improvement in HR processes, leveraging best practices and innovative approaches to HR management.
• Serve as a visible leader within the organization, fostering open communication and collaboration across teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 15-20 years of experience in HR, or
• Master's degree with 10-15 years of progressive HR experience, demonstrating a strong track record in strategic HR leadership.
• Extensive experience supporting senior leadership and working in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
• Proven ability to develop and implement HR strategies that align with business objectives.
• Demonstrated success in talent management, organizational development, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Strong coaching and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging diverse audiences and facilitating change.
• Deep understanding of HR policies, employment law, and compliance standards.
• Ability to analyze HR metrics and data to inform decision-making and improve HR programs.
• Experience working in a highly matrixed organization, with the ability to navigate complex organizational structures.
• Strong leadership presence, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Nice to have

• Prior experience in the pharmaceutical or biopharma industry, understanding the unique HR challenges in these sectors.
• Background working in a highly innovative, fast-paced environment that demands agility and adaptability.
• Experience in organizational effectiveness initiatives, including change management and process improvement.
• Knowledge of employee relations issues, including conflict resolution and workplace investigations.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems such as UKG, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), SharePoint.
• Experience in designing and delivering leadership development programs and talent pipelines.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across diverse teams and functions.

Skills & tools

• Strong knowledge of organizational development concepts and models.
• Skilled in facilitating meetings, workshops, and presentations to diverse audiences.
• Business acumen with a broad understanding of HR disciplines, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and organizational design.
• Analytical skills to diagnose root causes of HR issues and develop effective solutions.
• Proficiency in managing multiple priorities in a confidential environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Competence in using HRIS systems such as UKG, and familiarity with Microsoft Office tools including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint.

Practical notes

The salary range for this position is $270,000 - $320,000. Compensation will be influenced by factors such as qualifications, experience, and performance. Flagship Pioneering offers a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, an annual incentive program, retirement plans, and other employee benefits. The role requires on-site presence at the Cambridge, MA office, supporting the organization's on-site operations. The organization values diversity and inclusion and encourages candidates who are committed to fostering an equitable workplace culture.