Lead, HR Business Partner

Strategic Partnership & Leadership

• Serve as a strategic HR partner to senior leaders across West R&D, aligning people strategies with business priorities and long-term goals

• Provide thought leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and capability development

• Influence and support leaders through change, transformation, and periods of growth or complexity

Talent & Organization Strategy

• Partner closely with the Talent team and business leaders to drive talent reviews, succession planning, leadership development, and career pathways aligned to business priorities, performance, potential, and future skill needs

• Lead integrated talent and organizational effectiveness initiatives including: talent acquisition strategy, org design, structure, and capability enhancements to strengthen leadership capability, bench strength, and long-term readiness

Compensation & Workforce Programs

• Partner closely with the Compensation team to build and maintain a strong understanding of the company’s compensation philosophy, programs, and playbook

• Effectively apply compensation principles and guidelines in advising leaders and supporting talent-related decisions

• Partner closely with the business to effectively execute our internal technical career progressions.

Teammate Relations & Engagement

• Own and address complex teammate relations matters with sound judgment, consistency, and empathy

• Champion teammate engagement, inclusion, and culture initiatives in line with Bridgestone’s values

• Advise leaders on performance management, teammate concerns, and risk mitigation

What Success Looks Like

• Trusted advisor to senior leaders across the business, recognized for insight, credibility, and results

• Clear alignment between business needs and people strategies

• Strong leadership bench and measurable improvement in engagement and retention

• Scalable HR solutions that support both current and future business needs

• Ability to operate at both the strategic and execution level, shifting seamlessly between the two

• Strong judgment and comfort making decisions in ambiguous, high-visibility situations

• Discipline in planning, sequencing, and follow-through

• Willingness to engage directly, challenge constructively, and hold leaders accountable

• Comfort working across a matrixed environment, driving alignment without direct authority

• Clear, concise communicator who can simplify complexity for leaders and teams

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required (Master’s or MBA strongly preferred)

• 6+ years of progressive HR experience

• Strong background in organizational design and effectiveness

• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and navigate complex stakeholder environments

• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Experience supporting complex business groups and environments

• Strength in organizational design, change leadership, and talent management

• Demonstrated ability to drive results, not just provide recommendations

Nice to have

• HR certification (SHRM or HRCI)

• Customer-focused, solutions-oriented mindset

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution

• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, matrixed environments

• Track record of partnering effectively across all organizational levels