Senior HR Business Partner

About Quantum Design

For more than 40 years Quantum Design (QD) has been providing technology solutions to researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, and nanotechnology. Established in 1982, Quantum Design is the leading commercial source for automated materials characterization systems offering a variety of measurement capabilities. QD instruments are found in the world's leading research institutions and have become the reference standard for a variety of magnetic and physical property measurements.

Job Description:

The Opportunity 

Quantum Design seeks an experienced, strategic, and business-focused Senior HR Business Partner to serve as the primary People & Culture partner for approximately 260 employees across multiple business functions located at our San Diego headquarters.

As Senior HR Business Partner, you will serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders, helping build high-performing teams and driving leaders through strategies that align with organizational goals. You will be responsible for organizational design, workforce planning, talent management, leadership coaching, change management, employee relations, performance management, compensation consultation, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and hands-on HR professional who excels at influencing leaders, navigating complex employee relations matters, facilitating impactful leadership development programs, and leveraging data-driven insights to improve organizational performance and employee engagement. This role is highly consultative and requires exceptional business acumen, influencing skills, and sound judgment.

Responsibilities  

Strategic Business Partnership

• Build trusted relationships with business leaders and serve as their primary People & Culture advisor
• Partner with leaders to improve organizational effectiveness, team performance, and employee engagement
• Anticipate organizational challenges and proactively recommend practical, scalable solutions
• Coach leaders through organizational change, workforce planning, and leadership challenges
• Influence business decisions through a people-focused perspective while balancing operational and business priorities

Organizational Design & Workforce Planning

• Make organizational design recommendations (e.g., reporting structures, role design, spans of control) that will support business growth and drive operational efficiency
• Support leaders through reorganizations, M&A integration, and workforce planning initiatives
• Advise leaders on the trade-offs between various staffing strategies
• Support onboarding and successful integration of new leaders

Performance Management & Employee Relations

• Serve as the primary advisor on routine employee relations matters
• Lead the annual performance management cycle for assigned client groups
• Guide leaders through performance conversations, coaching discussions, and performance improvement processes
• Partner with leaders to recognize and reward high performance while addressing underperformance appropriately
• Conduct workplace investigations as appropriate

Compensation & Job Architecture

• Partner with leaders on organizational leveling and job design
• Evaluate new and existing positions to ensure appropriate scope and internal alignment
• Conduct market benchmarking and compensation analysis in partnership with the Director of Global People Operations
• Develop and maintain job descriptions for client groups
• Support annual compensation planning and promotional recommendations
• Provide guidance on internal equity and market competitiveness

Leadership Development & Organizational Effectiveness

• Design and facilitate leadership development programs, workshops, and training sessions on topics such as coaching, delivering feedback, performance management, and navigating difficult conversations.
• Develop tools, guides, and resources that strengthen leadership capability throughout the organization
• Analyze organizational health through workforce metrics and survey results and offer meaningful recommendations to improve employee engagement, productivity, collaboration, and retention
• Support change management initiatives associated with organizational growth, acquisitions, and strategic business initiatives
• Help leaders prepare for annual talent reviews by ensuring an understanding of succession planning, how to identify high-potential, and development planning
• Identify capability gaps and recommend targeted development solutions

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Communication or a related field
• Eight (8) + years of progressive Human Resources experience, with at least five (5) + years as an HR Business Partner supporting business leaders
• Demonstrated expertise across core HR disciplines, including leadership development and manager training, organizational design, workforce planning, employee relations and workplace investigations, compensation benchmarking and job evaluation, and California employment law compliance
• Experience supporting organizations with 200 + employees, coupled with strong communication, coaching, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human resources, organizational development, business administration, or related field
• Experience supporting manufacturing, engineering, technology, life sciences, scientific or private-equity backed organizations
• Experience supporting global organizations
• Experience during periods of organizational growth, acquisition integration, or business transformation

Additional Information

• This position’s work mode is 100% onsite. The employee will report to our facility in San Diego, CA five days a week
• Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000 / year

Quantum Design is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions, policies and practices are in accordance with applicable federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws. Quantum Design will not tolerate or engage in unlawful discrimination including any form of unlawful harassment, on account of a person's sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual preference or orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap, disability, or membership in any protected group.