Job Description

The Senior HR Business Partner (Sr. HRBP) serves as a strategic partner to senior leaders, with a primary focus on supporting the Research & Development (R&D) organization during a pivotal pre-commercial stage. This role is instrumental in shaping organizational design, building leadership capability, and driving a high-performance, innovation-driven culture. The Sr. HRBP will bring a forward-looking, business-oriented perspective to talent strategy, enabling the organization to scale effectively while advancing critical pipeline programs toward commercialization.

Essential Functions:

• Act as a trusted advisor to R&D senior leaders and managers, providing thought leadership on organizational strategy, talent planning, and workforce scaling in alignment with scientific and business priorities.
• Partner with leaders to assess and evolve organizational structures, capabilities, and operating models to support pipeline progression, cross-functional collaboration, and future commercialization readiness.
• Coach and influence senior leaders and managers to enhance leadership effectiveness, decision-making, and team performance, particularly within a fast-paced, highly technical environment.
• Drive talent reviews, succession planning, and development strategies to ensure a strong pipeline of scientific and functional leaders. Identify critical roles and capabilities required for future growth.
• Provide expert guidance on performance management, employee relations, and complex organizational dynamics, ensuring fair, consistent, and values-aligned outcomes.
• Champion a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration. Partner with leaders to strengthen engagement, reinforce company values, and foster an inclusive environment that enables scientific excellence.
• Lead and support change initiatives as the organization evolves toward commercialization, ensuring thoughtful communication, stakeholder alignment, and adoption of new ways of working.
• Effectively partner with the broader HR team and cross-functional groups to support HR programs.
• Stay current on industry trends, competitive talent landscapes, and emerging practices within biotech to inform proactive talent strategies.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally within biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences; HR certification a plus. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.

• Proven HR Business Partner experience supporting senior leaders.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate organizational strategy into actionable talent and workforce plans.
• Expertise in organizational design, talent management, leadership coaching, and integrating culture into people practices.
• Deep experience in employee relations and navigating complex organizational dynamics with sound judgment and discretion.
• Exceptional influencing, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to operate effectively in a high-growth environment, managing ambiguity and driving cross-functional collaboration.
• Embodies core attributes consistent with Vaxcyte’s culture of caring, courage, passion and excellence.

Reports to: Director, HR Business Partner

Location: San Carlos, CA

Work Arrangement (may be adjusted based on business needs, job responsibilities, or changes to company policy): Hybrid (minimum of 2-3 days per week onsite)

Compensation: The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

Salary Range: $170,000 – $200,000 (SF Bay Area).