Job Description

Symetra is seeking a Director, HR Business Partner to lead an HR team and help shape the talent and organizational strategies that move our business forward.

About the role

In this role, you’ll lead HR Business Partners and HR Generalists supporting a functional business area and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders. Combining business insight with HR expertise, you’ll strengthen leadership capability, guide organizational change, and build an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

What you will do

• Lead and develop your team: Coach HRBPs and HR Generalists to deliver effective consultation grounded in business acumen, HR expertise, influence, talent planning, inclusion, and people analytics.
• Advise senior leaders: Translate business priorities into talent strategies, including workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, and change management.
• Guide employee relations: Help leaders address complex employee matters, resolve concerns, and apply policies and employment requirements consistently.
• Advance inclusion: Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into leadership practices, talent decisions, and the employee experience.
• Turn insights into action: Use people data and business metrics to identify risks, recommend solutions, and assess results.

Why Work at Symetra

Here’s what some of our employees have to say about why they work at Symetra:

“From day one, I felt welcomed and encouraged to bring my full self to work. Symetra truly lives up to its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—it's more than just words here; it's part of the culture.” - Whitney T., Talent Development

“I was referred to Symetra by a family friend who’s been with the company for years—and I’m so glad I took their advice. Symetra truly puts its people first. I’ve always felt supported, not micromanaged, and that trust has helped me grow. I started in an entry-level position and have worked my way up to Unit Manager by continuously learning and expanding my skills. It’s a place that believes in its employees and invests in their success.” - Morgan D., Sr. Unit Manager

What we offer you

Benefits and Perks

We don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are designed to make your life better both at work and at home.

• Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements
• Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
• Paid time away including vacation and sick time, flex days and eleven paid holidays
• Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching
• Want more details? Check out our Symetra Benefits Overview

Compensation

Salary Range: $155,800 - $259,600 plus eligibility for annual bonus program and long-term incentive plan

Qualifications

Who You Are

• You bring 12+ years of relevant experience, deep HR expertise, and experience leading through managers and senior managers. Experience managing people is a plus.
• You hold a college degree or equivalent work experience, with a high school diploma. Professional certifications or designations relevant to the role are a plus.
• You have experience in the Group Insurance industry (highly preferred).
• You connect talent decisions to business performance, translating strategy into practical plans and anticipating risks.
• You build credibility with senior leaders, influence decisions, and collaborate effectively across functions.
• You develop strong leaders and teams through coaching, performance management, talent assessment, and succession planning.
• You exercise sound judgment in complex situations, balancing competing priorities and managing budgets, resources, and departmental operations.
• You lead change from planning through execution and demonstrate inclusive leadership in your everyday decisions and talent practices.
• You leverage HR analytics data to drive and consult on effective business outcomes.
• You are willing and able to travel periodically to meet the needs of the business.

Please note - Due to the nature of the work being done, Human Resources employees may not have a family relationship with any current Symetra employee.

Travel:

Required Training & Professional Development

All newly hired people leaders with direct reports are required to complete a comprehensive leadership development program within their first year. This program includes both virtual and in-person training. The in-person sessions will take place at Symetra’s corporate headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. Symetra covers all travel and accommodation expenses.

Reasonable Accommodations

Symetra is committed to providing equitable access to all job-related responsibilities, including required travel. If reasonable accommodations are needed for travel, Symetra’s HR department will work to provide appropriate solutions in alignment with individual needs and company policies.

We empower inclusion

At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We're building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute.

Inclusion is about recognizing our assumptions, considering multiple perspective, and removing barriers. We accept and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives, because lifting each other up fuels thought and builds a stronger, more innovative company. We invite you to learn more about our efforts here.

Creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom

Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we're guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive price, we communicate clearly and openly so people understand what they're buying, and we design products--and operate our company--to stand the test of time. We're committed to showing up for our communities, lifting up our employees, and standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Join our team and help us create a world where more people have access to financial freedom.

For more information about our careers visit: https://symetra.eightfold.ai/careers

Work Authorization

Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.

Please review Symetra's Remote Network Minimum Requirements:

As a remote-first organization with a cameras-on culture, reliable internet connectivity is important to how we connect, collaborate, and serve our customers. To support a positive experience for both employees and customers, Symetra has the following standards for employees' internet connection:

• Minimum Internet Speed:100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, in alignment with the FCC's definition of "broadband."
• Internet Type:Fiber, Cable (e.g., Comcast, Spectrum), or DSL.
• Not Permissible:Satellite (e.g., Starlink), cellular broadband (hotspot or otherwise), any other wireless technology, or wired dial-up.

When applying to jobs at Symetra you'll be asked to test your internet speed and confirm that your internet connection meets or exceeds Symetra's standard as outlined above.

Identity Verification

Symetra is committed to fair and secure hiring practices. For all roles, candidates will be required (after the initial phone screen) to be on video for all interviews. Symetra will take affirmative steps at key points in the process to verify that a candidate is not seeking employment fraudulently, e.g. through use of a false identity.

Failure to comply with verification procedures may result in:

• Disqualification from the recruitment process
• Withdrawal of a job offer
• Termination of employment and other criminal and/or civil remedies, if fraud is discovered