Director, People Business Partner

About the role

Pendo's People team plays a vital role in integrating business strategy with human resources systems, leadership practices, and decision-making processes to support the company's ongoing growth and success. The team collaborates closely across various departments to attract, develop, and retain top talent, ensuring that HR initiatives align with business objectives. This role is specifically focused on managing the People agenda for Pendo's Revenue and Marketing departments, providing strategic HR support and leadership to these critical functions. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, driving initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and talent development within these teams.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop a comprehensive People roadmap for the Go-To-Market (GTM) organization spanning 3 to 6 months, translating the company's broader People strategy into specific, actionable initiatives tailored to Revenue and Marketing teams.
• Lead and mentor a small, global team of People Partners, setting clear priorities, coaching team members, and ensuring consistent HR practices across different regions and markets.
• Oversee workforce planning efforts for the GTM organization, working closely with Talent Acquisition to anticipate hiring needs, build talent pipelines, and design organizational structures that support rapid growth.
• Create and maintain succession plans for key GTM roles, identifying talent gaps, developing internal talent, and supporting leadership in career development and progression strategies.
• Partner with GTM leadership to identify high-potential employees, develop retention strategies, and implement development plans that align with business goals.
• Manage performance management cycles, including goal setting, feedback, promotions, and corrective actions, coaching managers on best practices and ensuring consistency across teams.
• Handle employee relations issues independently, including conducting investigations, addressing complex employee concerns, and managing separations when necessary, ensuring compliance and fairness.
• Advise GTM leaders and managers on strategic HR matters, including organizational design, capability gaps, and leadership development, facilitating difficult conversations and change management initiatives.
• Leverage HR systems such as Workday and Pendo's analytics tools to analyze data related to employee engagement, attrition, and talent metrics, translating insights into strategic business decisions and HR interventions.
• Collaborate with other HR functions, including Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), within a Center of Excellence model to ensure integrated and effective HR programs.
• Support the scaling of enterprise sales organizations by understanding complex sales cycles, incentive programs, and sales methodologies such as MEDDPIC, ensuring HR practices support sales growth and performance.
• Contribute to the development of HR policies and programs that support a high-growth, fast-paced environment, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and best practices.
• Utilize AI tools to streamline HR workflows, improve data analysis, and enhance decision-making processes, describing specific applications and their productivity impacts.

Requirements

• Over 10 years of progressive HR business partner experience, with a proven track record supporting senior leadership in high-growth companies.
• At least 5 years of HRBP experience supporting GTM functions within a fast-paced, high-growth technology environment, preferably SaaS or software companies.
• Demonstrated success partnering with VP and C-level GTM leaders on talent strategy, workforce planning, and organizational design, with measurable results.
• Experience scaling enterprise sales organizations, including familiarity with complex sales cycles, incentive programs, and sales methodologies such as MEDDPIC.
• 3-5 years of experience leading a team of People Partners or HR professionals, preferably across multiple regions or globally.
• Extensive hands-on experience managing employee relations issues, including investigations, corrective actions, and separations, independently and effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and facilitate strategic HR conversations.
• Business acumen and change management expertise, capable of navigating dynamic organizational environments.
• Experience utilizing AI tools to enhance HR workflows, with the ability to describe specific applications and productivity benefits.
• Proficiency with HR systems such as Workday, including data extraction, report generation, and system navigation.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting international GTM teams, particularly in EMEA or APAC regions, with an understanding of cross-cultural HR practices.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a Center of Excellence model, working with teams focused on Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
• Comfort operating in rapidly changing environments where organizational design and strategic priorities can shift quickly and frequently.
• Familiarity with Pendo's platform, Salesforce, or similar GTM tools to better understand sales processes and enable HR strategies aligned with sales growth.
• Prior experience developing manager development programs, retention frameworks, or talent pipelines to support organizational scalability.
• Proficiency with Workday, including data extraction, report creation, and system navigation, to support HR analytics and decision-making.

Skills & tools

• Workday HRIS system for data management and reporting
• Pendo analytics tooling for employee engagement and talent insights
• AI-assisted workflows to improve HR processes and productivity
• Strong analytical skills to interpret HR data and translate into strategic initiatives
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to lead and develop HR teams across multiple regions

Practical notes

Pendo offers a competitive benefits package, including employer-covered health options, with some plans featuring $0 premiums. The company provides a 401(k) match, equity awards, and flexible time off policies to support work-life balance. Pendo is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and is an equal opportunity employer. The company provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities; requests can be sent to accommodation@pendo.io. The role involves on-site work at the Raleigh, NC office, with a hybrid schedule requiring three days in-office per week. The position is ideal for an experienced HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment and is passionate about developing talent and driving strategic HR initiatives aligned with business goals.