Head of Regional HR Business Partnerships

WORK OPTION: The Head of Regional HR Business Partnerships will split their time between the NBA's New York and London offices.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2023-24 season featured a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness. 
 

Group Summary

The Human Resources department is responsible for supporting the attraction and retention of talent in service and support of the organization’s short-term and long-term needs. The department consists of distinct HR disciplines including Total Rewards (Compensation and Benefits), Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Employee Relations, People Operations, HR Management and Planning, Team HR and HR Business Partnerships. The HR Department provides end-to-end support of all employee needs, including benefits and CBA (collective bargaining agreement) support for all NBA players and their dependents.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the Head of Regional Human Resources Business Partnerships is responsible for the facilitation, execution and delivery of high-quality HR services across all regional offices outside of the United States including Canada, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia including China. This individual will be responsible for the direct management of the HR Leads in each of the aforementioned regions. This role is responsible for understanding, guiding and directing HR support in compliance with local laws to ensure the organization’s ability to attract and retain talent.  This includes partnering with Legal, as well as various departments within HR and other areas of the organization. This role also works collaboratively to ensure that the NBA maintains a highly professional work environment, and a culture that is highly diverse and inclusive, taking into account local customs and norms as well as globally inclusive practices. This role serves as a convener, project manager and facilitator in providing HR support to senior, mid-level and front line managers and all regional employees.  This role also acts as an advocate and lead facilitator for desired outcomes related to employee engagement, talent development, employee recognition and desired business outcomes.

The person in this role should expect to travel up to 40% of their time.

Major Responsibilities

• Build effective and collaborative relationships with regional managing directors, HR leads across all regions, HR Subject Matter Expert’s, senior leaders at NBA headquarters and other relevant stakeholders to serve as a credible expert on people focused outcomes that advance business objectives.

• Liaise with international HR Leads to ensure continuity and execution of processes across the globe (e.g. population reviews, year-end processes, etc).

• Partner effectively with the NBA Employment and Labor Relations team to translate local employment regulations to business needs and ensure compliance with local laws and NBA policies. 

• Ensure the coordination and delivery of high-quality HR services that are consistent, proactive and timely to effectively attract and retain the necessary talent to advance the mission and goals of the NBA and its leaders.

• Recommend, customize and implement effective Human Resources solutions that are practical and executable. 

• Serve as an internal consultant to proactively advise on the design and implementation of effective organizational structures to help deliver on business objectives and enable long-term success (i.e. workforce planning and succession planning). 

• Partner effectively with internal groups and stakeholders to identify areas of need and improvement to advance the NBA’s values with an emphasis on inclusive HR practices that builds a highly inclusive work culture.  

• Establish and build the capability and function of the Regional HR Business Partner Team by collaborating and partnering with units within HR such as Compensation, Mobility, Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Benefits, Talent Management, etc. to co-create policies, programs and initiatives that align with the shared or unique needs of the client groups.  Ensure the HRBP Team adopts and delivers with a customer service mindset.

• Serve as a subject matter expert on the core HR disciplines to drive business outcomes including organizational effectiveness, compensation practices, recruitment, employee engagement, development and retention, change management, leadership trends and other relevant subjects. 

• Collaborate strongly and proactively with Head of US HR Business Partnerships and other HR units to advance HR initiatives that are responsive to the broader needs of the organization.  As appropriate, ensure practices are consistent and adaptable for local execution taking into account established norms and protocols.   Manage a diverse set of company-wide HR projects and initiatives as assigned. 

• Represent the voice of stakeholders in highlighting both opportunities and challenges with existing policies or practices, outline recommendations for improvements and work collaboratively with stakeholders to implement improvements. 

• Ensure all HR information is handled with a high degree of confidentiality and integrity. Ensure that local requirements related to the confidential handling of personal information is maintained. 

• Lead the planning, agenda development, and implementation of deliverables for bi-weekly Regional HRBP Meetings, ensuring productive and strategic discussions that tie back to our HR Priorities and Key Metrics.

• Serve as a key member of the HR Leadership team helping to drive the strategy and execution of our people initiatives. Develop and consult on all HR initiatives to be executed by the business (e.g. Talent Reviews, Compensation Analysis exercises, Annual Performance Management Cycle, etc). Proactively share client business knowledge with other HR functions. 

• Effectively partner with other related functions - Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, Compensation, Mobility, People Operations & Systems, Benefits, and Legal - to advance the company's mission, values and business strategies. 

• Oversee recruitment across all levels in the regions, coaching Regional HR Leads to ensure a high level of efficiency, internal communication, and positive candidate experience.

• Improve upon and monitor employee productivity. Manage employee performance issues including coaching managers on how to give proper feedback, ensuring proper documentation and drafting of Performance Improvement Plans.

• Analyze trends and metrics in partnership with HR subject matter experts to develop solutions, programs and policies. 

• Identify solutions to recurring workplace issues or concerns by collecting and analyzing data as well as relying on personal observation as input.

• Set strategic priorities for the Regional HR Business Partners and their teams with a focus on operational excellence and stakeholder management.

• Manage, coach and mentor Regional HR Business Partners, HR Generalists, and HRBP Analysts, setting individual goals, establishing development plans, and serving as an escalation point for business related issues.

Required Education/Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and advanced degree in an HR discipline or related field a plus.
• 10-15 years of relevant HR experience
• 7 years of supervisory experience in a service-oriented field
• Expertise leading an HR team and in managing international HR responsibilities
• Expertise in project management.
• Expertise in leading change in complex environments.

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes

• Experience leading a team and strong expertise in leading an HR function in an international setting. 
• Strong, approachable, collaborative leader with an ability to build high a performing team. 
• Must possess business acumen, superior interpersonal skills and a strong professional presence with an ability to build credibility with business leaders to prioritize key tasks and quick wins for success, while enacting longer terms strategic plans to improve service and support.
• Excellent client service skills and the capacity to facilitate the needs of multiple business units. 
• Conversant and highly adept in analyzing and leveraging metrics and data to establish baselines and support desired people outcomes that drive the business forward. 
• Experience in analyzing complex business issues, including interpretation of financial and operational data.
• Expert user of enterprise talent management systems and/or enterprise resource systems to provide relevant business reports related to people.
• A curious mindset, to think innovatively and rationally about concerns and come up with creative solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, including public speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience in the core disciplines of HR including performance management, recruitment (executive search), compensation, talent development, organizational development and in using data and analytics to identify important HR related trends. Working knowledge of employment law, HR practices and staffing industry trends.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to move on desired outcomes within established timeframes. Experience leading and thriving in a dynamic, constantly changing environment.
• High level of integrity in maintaining sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to inspire others to action through demonstrated strong communication (verbal and written), presentation, relationship-building and social skills.
• Strong problem solving and creative skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analysis.

Salary Range: $285,000 - $350,000 

Job Posting Title: Vice President 

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume. 

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace.  To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.