Human Resources Strategic Business Partner

Full Job Description

Application Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. P.T.

Accepting Online Applications Only

Information on How to Apply

The City of Eugene Employee Resource Center is seeking two experienced Human Resources Business Partners responsible for leading a team and serving as a strategic business partner to assigned departments. One role will be responsible for leading the team supporting Eugene Springfield Fire, Central Services, and the Planning and Development Department and one role will lead the team supporting the Eugene Police Department and the Library, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. If you value inclusion and employee wellbeing, are a strong collaborator, and thrive on providing expert guidance and problem solving to achieve current and future business objectives, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Employee Resource Center Core Values:

• Employee Wellbeing & Growth: Co-create a workplace where employees thrive and feel secure, supported, and empowered to develop, grow and contribute.

• Trust & Confidence: Build lasting trust through authentic relationships, responsive service, and a culture of mutual respect.

• Strategic Partnership & Excellence: Thoughtful, knowledgeable strategic partners who deliver efficient, high-quality solutions that move the organization forward.

Why Join Us?

• For the 13^th year in a row, the City of Eugene has ranked among Oregon’s Top Ten Healthiest Employers (Portland Business Journal)

• We believe in collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning.

• You will help us continue to build a culture of wellbeing and inclusion that attracts and retains top talent.

What We’re looking for:

• Strategic and experienced Human Resources Professionals who can advise on multiple disciplines and work in partnership with assigned Departments to meet their business needs.

• Collaborative leaders who can lead and develop a team of professionals as they support employees and supervisors throughout the City.

• Demonstrated experience in gathering and analyzing data and trends to help inform strategic decisions

• Proven success in managing and advancing projects to help meet organizational objectives.

• If you’re ready to make an impact and help us continue our journey toward a thriving workplace culture, we want to hear from you!

Classification: Manager 1

Salary: $44.83 - $60.52 hourly / $93,243.40 - $125,881.60 annually

The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).

Department, Division: Central Services, Employee Resource Center

Position Information: Non-Represented, Exempt

Work Location: City Hall, 500 E 4^th Ave. and various locations throughout City of Eugene as business requires.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with flexibility per business need to occasionally work outside of normal working hours.

Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.

Bilingual Pay Benefit: This position qualifies for up to an additional 5% of base salary for bilingual pay. Please see “Supplemental Information” at the end of the posting for more information.

Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

Requirements

Strategic Partnership & Consulting

• Serve as a strategic business partner to assigned departments, providing expert guidance and problem-solving to achieve current and future business objectives. Influence leadership decisions through collaboration and data-driven insights.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor HR staff in collaborative business partner practices, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Employee Relations & Case Management

• Apply advanced case management techniques to resolve complex employee situations spanning multiple functional areas. Lead sensitive employee relations cases, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievance processes.
  

Labor Relations & Compliance

• Provide critical guidance on labor contracts, employment law, and personnel policies. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while proactively mitigating risk. Ensures fair and consistent application of policies across the organization.

Workforce Planning & Analytics

• Research, analyze, and evaluate complex data to identify trends and inform strategic decisions. Present findings and recommendations clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Oversee recruitment and selection processes, ensuring equitable, efficient, and legally defensible hiring practices. Implement improvements to enhance candidate experience and organizational outcomes.

Classification & Compensation

• Provide guidance and support for compensation questions and classification reviews in partnership with senior analyst.

HR Technology & Process Improvement

• Optimize HRIS and absence management systems for accuracy and efficiency. Identify opportunities for process innovation to improve service delivery and employee experience.

Culture & Belonging

• Partner with leadership to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Strategic Planning & Organizational Development

• Participate in division-wide planning, setting strategic priorities, and leading initiatives that align with the City’s mission and vision.

Onboarding & Integration

• Oversee comprehensive onboarding programs that ensure new employees feel welcomed, informed, and prepared to succeed. Partner with managers to establish clear job expectations, integrate organizational values, and provide resources that support engagement and retention from day one.

Organizational Training

• Designs and delivers organizational training programs on key HR topics—including recruitment and selection, labor relations, performance management, compliance, and diversity and inclusion.

Specialized knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of Human Resources

• Federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and policies relevant to Human Resources, Benefits and Risk Services, including understanding of compliance requirements and implications.

• City policies, rules, and bargaining agreements, and their application to assigned staff, with an emphasis on equitable practices and inclusion.

• Operational and strategic planning principles and practices, including goal setting, performance measurement, and evaluation methodologies.

• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation and professional program/ project leadership.
  

Demonstrated success in:

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present information clearly and persuasively in public settings, negotiate effectively, and resolve conflicts diplomatically.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities to independently develop sound decisions, conclusions, and recommendations, including the ability to anticipate and mitigate risks.

• Multicultural workforce management skills to promote an equitable workplace environment, apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services, and foster inclusive leadership practices.

• Resilient and strategic leadership in fast-paced settings by effectively managing multiple and conflicting priorities. Inspires and guides teams to remain focused, adaptable, and results-driven while maintaining high standards of quality and collaboration under changing demands.

To view detailed information on the duties, knowledge, and abilities that may be expected for this position, please see the classification: Manager 1

Qualifications

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferable skills from a variety of sources and experiences.

If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Experience

Five (5) years of professional experience in human resources with experience developing, implementing, and managing programs, projects, and/or personnel functions within an organizational unit, preferably in the public sector; including two years in a full supervisory role.

License

Valid Oregon driver’s license (or, the ability to obtain by date of hire); must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City’s standard.

Oregon law requires that an out-of-state license holder must obtain a valid Oregon license (with appropriate endorsements) within 30 days of becoming domiciled in the state (ORS 803.355).

Certification

Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), or related certification is preferred.

Background

Must pass a criminal background check.

Additional Information

Bi-lingual Pay

This benefit compensates non-represented employees up to 5% of their base salary. To qualify for bilingual pay, the employee must demonstrate fluency in an eligible language and pass a language proficiency test that is administrated by the City’s Employee Resource Center division.

Non-Represented Retirement Program

Upon eligibility, the City will contribute an employee contribution of 6%, as well as the employer contribution, to a retirement program administered by the Oregon Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).

In addition, the City will pay a 3% contribution to a deferred compensation program if the employee contributes at least 1%.

From January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2034, most retirees may work for a PERS-participating employer for an unlimited number of hours while continuing to receive their pension benefit based on HB 2296.

If you have questions about your specific situation, including any restrictions to hours, please refer to the PERS: Work After Retirement.

What to Expect from our Selection Process

Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training.

The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes.

In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required.

Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment.

Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee.

We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community.

As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce.

Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

The City of Eugene complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.

NOTE: The City of Eugene does not participate in the E-Verify program; therefore, candidates requiring E-Verify for employment authorization will not be eligible for employment with the City.