Senior Business Partner, Human Resources

Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) (tsne.org) is working to build a more just, equitable society. We do this by providing capacity building services, consulting and training services, and operational support for hundreds of nonprofits, foundations, community-based groups, and others working for social change. We are partners and colleagues working collaboratively to support areas critical for organizations, including  property management, leadership development and support, finance and accounting, human resources, and organizational development. We live by our values as an organization, and are committed to identifying, including, and valuing the unique skills, perspectives and knowledge of each member of our team.

About our Values:

• Justice - A just society is one in which all people have the dignity, resources, power, and self-determination to fully thrive. We seek to create a more just world in all of our work.
• Progress - We commit our resources, expertise, and energy to delivering high quality support and services that make movement toward a more just world possible.
• Impact - We work collaboratively with others to build the capacity and sustainability of organizations who work toward social good.

The Senior Human Resources Business Partner (SHRBP) plays a critical leadership role in ensuring that TSNE provides high-quality, values-driven Human Resources (HR) services to its Fiscally Sponsored Organizations (FSOs). Reporting to the Director of People & Culture (DPC), the SHRBP serves as a strategic advisor for HR matters, oversees a team of HR professionals, and directly manages a portfolio of FSOs. In this role, the SHRBP will lead HR policy development, compliance, and service delivery, ensuring alignment with TSNE’s mission, values, and equity principles. As a senior escalation point, they will navigate complex HR challenges while fostering strong relationships with client organizations. This position supervises three staff.

Essential Functions

Fiscal Sponsorship HR Leadership – 50%

Lead and oversee the delivery of equity-centered HR services for all fiscal sponsorship clients, ensuring compliance, responsiveness to client needs, and alignment with TSNE’s strategic objectives. Foster a values-driven approach that integrates best practices in HR while centering equity in every aspect of service delivery.

• Lead and supervise the HR Business Partner team, ensuring effective, high-quality, consistent HR service delivery.
• Serve as a trusted HR advisor for FSOs, providing strategic guidance on employee relations, compliance, and workforce planning.
• Drive equity-centered HR solutions, ensuring alignment with TSNE’s values and client needs.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex HR concerns, escalating critical issues to the DPC as necessary.
• Oversee HR service performance metrics, identifying opportunities for efficiency and impact.
• Ensure FSO compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across multiple jurisdictions.
• Review and approve FSO-specific policies and procedures, ensuring clarity and compliance.
• Partner with the HRBP’s to ensure consistent oversight and support for client portfolios.

Fiscal Sponsorship Portfolio Management – 50%

Drive the successful execution of HR operations strategies across a portfolio of fiscal sponsorship organizations (FSOs). Ensure that all HR processes and initiatives align with organizational goals, equity principles, and the evolving needs of FSOs, fostering a collaborative and strategic approach to HR service delivery.

• Act as the lead HR consultant for a portfolio of FSOs, guiding leaders through organizational and workforce challenges.
• Provide strategic HR support to FSO directors and managers, helping them align policies with their mission.
• Offer expertise on recruitment strategies, job design, and hiring best practices.
• Conduct quarterly HR check-ins with FSO directors to assess challenges and progress.
• Assist with performance management, employee relations, and legal risk assessments.
• Collaborate with TSNE’s internal teams to ensure seamless service delivery to FSOs.
• Proactively identify opportunities for HR service enhancements to better support FSO needs.

Complete other tasks and projects related to the position, as needed.

Many folks who are impacted by biased professionalism standards, such as women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and individuals with disabilities, tend to only submit an application if they meet every requirement listed. At TSNE, we are always looking for enthusiastic candidates who are the best fit for the role, both culturally and through experience. If you believe you’d be a good addition to our team, we look forward to your application!

• Minimum of six years of professional HR experience, ideally in a nonprofit setting with a focus on employee relations.
• Proven ability to navigate multi-state employment laws and the complexities of fiscal sponsorship HR services.
• Strong decision-making skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Previous supervisory experience is highly desired.
• Exceptional team player who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
• Deep knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and a commitment to staying up-to-date on regulatory changes.
• Outstanding customer service skills, with experience in team-based service delivery preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and databases).
• Strong multi-tasking abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural setting and engage with people from diverse backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives.
• Passion for and commitment to social and economic justice

You also believe in and embody our organizational values and the below core competencies:

• Communication – The ability to effectively exchange ideas, concepts, facts, and data with diverse audiences.
• High standard of integrity, ethics, and professionalism – The highest standards of integrity, ethical practices and professionalism are demonstrated in all aspects of work, including interactions with others, decision-making, and the development and delivery of work product. The ability to integrate core values, equity, integrity and accountability throughout all organizational practices.
• Relationship management – The ability to develop and nurture positive, productive relationships with others.
• Collaboration – The ability to collaborate vertically and horizontally throughout the organization and with others.
• Technologically and organizationally functional – Computer skills and demonstrates willingness to learn additional, specific platforms. Also understands and follows the policies and procedures applicable to all staff.

And a strong combination of the following qualifications:

• Soft Skills including exceptional discretion and judgment. Effective verbal and written communication skills with a wide audience. Ability to build productive and successful range of relationships and effectively serve in roles ranging from trusted advisor, teammate, subject matter expert and to coach.
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and some understanding of fostering an inclusive, culturally sensitive, environment. Willing to ask questions, learn, and constructively share and accept feedback. Must be adaptable to a range of audiences and dynamics.
• Just do good work by providing high quality work in fast-paced environment. Strong analytical skills are necessary. Must be flexible and able to manage multiple changing priorities and projects, and be organized and detail oriented. Provide excellent customer service by being on-time and accurate.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described for this position are that of a typical office environment. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position. There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment.

Location: Work will be performed between our office located at the NonProfit Center at 89 South Street, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02111 and your home office. This position will require you to be on-site for in-person client engagements and some meetings with TSNE staff, funders, and program participants at least once a month, which may take place outside of the TSNE office and may require to be on-site more regularly with advanced notice.

Schedule: This position is full-time at 37.5 hours per week and hours are flexible within reason.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: The salary for this position is $124,500.22 annually, paid bi-weekly at $4,788.47.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• Up to $1,080.00 in annual commuter subsidy
• $10 monthly cell phone stipend.
• No meetings after noon on Fridays.
• ...and more!

TSNE strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.