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 Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) provides responsive, values-aligned HR partnership to an assigned portfolio of fiscally sponsored projects. Reporting to the Senior Business Partner, Human Resources, this role supports project directors and managers with employee relations, performance management, recruitment, job design, policy application, compliance coordination, and general HR guidance.

The HR Business Partner helps fiscally sponsored projects navigate workplace matters in ways that are practical, equitable, compliant, and aligned with TSNE’s mission, values, policies, and service standards. This role works closely with the Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Human Resources Administrator, Senior Manager of Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and other internal partners to coordinate timely and accurate HR support.

The Human Resources Business Partner is expected to identify employee relations concerns, compliance risks, manager support needs, and service issues within assigned projects, resolving matters within scope and escalating complex or high-risk issues to the Senior Human Resources Business Partner as appropriate.

Essential Functions

Fiscally Sponsored Project Portfolio HR Partnership — 45%

Provide direct HR partnership to an assigned portfolio of fiscally sponsored projects.

• Serve as the primary HR partner for assigned fiscally sponsored projects, supporting project directors and managers with HR questions, workplace needs, and people-related processes.
• Build strong working relationships with project leaders to understand their staffing, operational, and workplace needs.
• Provide practical HR guidance that supports compliant, equitable, and values-aligned decision-making.
• Conduct regular HR check-ins with assigned project leaders to identify needs, risks, and opportunities for proactive support.
• Coordinate with internal TSNE teams to ensure project HR needs are addressed in a timely and consistent manner.

Employee Relations, Performance & Manager Guidance — 25%

Support project leaders with employee relations, performance management, workplace concerns, and manager coaching.

• Provide guidance to managers on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, documentation, conflict resolution, and performance management.
• Support project leaders in applying TSNE policies and HR practices consistently and appropriately.
• Assist with performance improvement processes, corrective action, workplace communication, and employee support needs.
• Identify potential employee relations, compliance, or workplace risks and escalate complex matters to the Senior HR Business Partner.
• Support follow-up, documentation, and coordination related to employee relations matters within assigned projects.

Job Design & Workforce Support — 15%

Support job design and staffing processes for assigned fiscally sponsored projects.

• Conduct new hire orientations for the assigned portfolio.
• Support project leaders with job description development, position updates, and role clarity.
• Coordinate job postings in the applicant tracking system and support hiring process steps as needed.
• Provide guidance on recruitment workflows, hiring practices, candidate communication, and selection process expectations.
• Partner with project leaders and internal HR colleagues to support equitable and compliant hiring practices.
• Help identify workforce planning or staffing concerns and elevate recommendations to the Senior HR Business Partner.

Compliance, Policy Application & HR Coordination – 10%

Support consistent policy application, compliance coordination, and HR process follow-through for assigned projects.

• Maintain working knowledge of TSNE policies, HR procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local employment law requirements.
• Help project leaders understand and apply HR policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• Coordinate with the HR Administrator, Senior Manager of Human Resources, Payroll, Finance, Legal, and other internal partners on HR administrative and compliance-related needs.
• Support coordination of required HR processes, including training compliance, I-9s, background checks, onboarding, offboarding, and employee changes.
• Identify process gaps, recurring questions, or service issues and share recommendations with the Senior HR Business Partner.
• Conduct regular audits around compensation and pay equity to ensure alignment.

Internal HR & Departmental Support — 5%

Contribute to People & Culture team priorities and provide support for department-wide initiatives as needed.

• Support internal HR initiatives, including performance management, policy implementation, manager resources, and employee engagement processes.
• Provide coverage or support for departmental priorities, special projects, and team capacity needs.
• Contribute to tools, templates, communication materials, and process improvements that strengthen HR service delivery.

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 four 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.
• 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 organizations.

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 occasionally for in-person client engagements and some meetings with TSNE staff and program participants, 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 $102,900.20 annually, paid bi-weekly at $3,957.70

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 Harvard Pilgrim/Point32Health 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.

TSNE is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the application and hiring process. If you need an accommodation to apply or participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact accommodations@tsne.org. Requests will be handled confidentially and shared only as needed to evaluate and implement the accommodation.