Sr. Manager, People & Culture Business Partner

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

Summary

The Sr. Manager, People & Culture Business Partner operates as a trusted consultant, balancing strategic partnership with hands-on execution while ensuring compliance with government regulations, security requirements, and company policies. This role partners closely with local business leaders and Corporate People & Culture to drive workforce planning, talent development, total rewards execution, organizational effectiveness, and culture initiatives that support mission-critical outcomes. A key responsibility for this role is the local implementation and continuous improvement of global P&C processes, systems, and training.

Position Responsibilities

- Partner closely with local business to define and execute people strategies that align with organizational goals, drive performance, and strengthen culture.
- Act as the interface between the business and P&C leadership to localize and implement P&C strategies, processes, policies, systems, and programs in a compliant and culturally appropriate way.
- Advise on organizational design, workforce planning, and talent optimization to support growth, restructuring, and program delivery, ensuring alignment with workforce strategies.
- Lead local annual P&C processes (e.g. performance review cycle and calibration, compensation cycle, talent reviews, performance management, high potential and leadership development initiatives) in partnership with corporate Talent Development.
- Lead and execute cross-functional local P&C initiatives and projects (e.g., organizational redesigns, system implementations, M&A integration support) from planning through delivery, coordinating closely with Corporate P&C and other stakeholders.
- Collaborate with Corporate P&C to design, communicate, and implement policies, guidelines, and training content; ensure local adaptation where required and drive adoption and adherence.
- Coach leaders on employee engagement, performance, leadership effectiveness, and communication strategies, leveraging tools, frameworks, and training where applicable.
- Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters; conduct and support investigations in compliance with company policies and applicable employment laws; log case information in AV corporate legal repository (Navex).
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as government contracting requirements (including ITAR), and maintain audit-ready documentation.
- Analyze workforce data and trends (e.g., attrition, engagement, hiring, diversity) using reports and local insights to inform decision-making, proactive planning, and continuous improvement of programs.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition and Corporate TA on hiring strategies and workforce planning, including scenario modeling for program needs and alignment with employer branding and recruiting processes.
- Collaborate with Total Rewards and Corporate Compensation & Benefits to support salary planning, promotions, and equity/bonus reviews, ensuring competitive and compliant compensation and benefits practices.
- Lead and support local employee engagement initiatives and action planning based on survey results (i.e. Great Place to Work™) and provide advice on issues affecting morale, performance, development, and organizational effectiveness, helping to determine root causes and recommending appropriate next steps.
- Drive communication and change management efforts, including support for business transformations, local initiatives, and M&A integration as applicable, ensuring that messages and programs are effectively translated and embedded locally.
- Utilize HR systems (e.g., Workday) and P&C tools to support data-driven decision-making and continuous process improvement, ensuring compliance with data privacy requirements.
- Manage multiple priorities effectively while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through on commitments.
- Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Organizational Development or Business required or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Minimum 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3–5+ years as a People & Culture / HR Business Partner, and experience managing a team.
- Strong knowledge of employment law and HR practices.
- Demonstrated experience operating in a matrixed environment and partnering with Corporate HR teams to implement processes, systems, and programs at the local level.
- Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., aerospace, defense, high-technology, or other highly regulated industries); familiarity with export control requirements is an advantage.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior leaders and global stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

- HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR).
- Experience supporting government contracting with a focus on engineering, manufacturing, or program-based organizations.
- Experience with HRIS systems (e.g., Workday) and other HR technologies; experience participating in or leading HR system implementations or enhancements is a plus.
- Prior experience supporting M&A integration or transformation initiatives, ideally in cooperation with corporate project teams.
- Flexibility to support business needs during peak periods and to collaborate across time zones with corporate stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical, time management, and organizational skills.
- Strong computer skills and proficiency with office software and productivity tools.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
- Works well with little or no supervision and exercises independent judgment on a regular basis.
- Strong ability to gain cooperation of others, including stakeholders, and to conduct presentations of information concerning specific projects, timelines, organizational changes, and global program rollouts.

Physical Demands

- Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
- Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

No Clearance

The salary range for this role is:
$128,000 - $217,500

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement: