Recognized as a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplace for 14 consecutive years, including three years of being honored as number one! Join us at West Bend, where we believe that our associates are our greatest asset. We hire talented individuals who are conscientious, dedicated, customer focused, and able to build lasting relationships. We create and maintain an environment where you feel a sense of belonging and appreciation. Your diversity of thought, experience, and knowledge are valued. We’re committed to fostering a welcoming culture, offering you opportunities for meaningful work and professional growth. More than a workplace, we celebrate our successes and take pride in serving our communities.
Job SummaryThe HR Business Partner (HRBP) collaborates with assigned business units to align HR practices with operational needs, supporting business objectives and driving organizational success. This role plays a key part in implementing people strategies that enhance employee performance, foster engagement, and contribute to a positive work environment.
Work LocationThis position offers a hybrid work schedule. Candidates who are located within 50 miles of our West Bend or Madison, WI office locations will work a hybrid schedule for collaboration days, team meetings or other in-person events.
Responsibilities & QualificationsHelp Leaders Build Teams That Actually Work
If you’re an HR professional who likes being close to the business, where decisions are made and change actually happens, this role may be for you.
We’re looking for an HR Business Partner who brings judgment, curiosity, and a strong point of view to the table. Someone who can sit with leaders, understand what they’re trying to accomplish, and use data and insight to shape people strategies that drive real results.
In this role, you’ll be more than a support function. You’ll influence how teams are built, how leaders lead, and how the organization evolves.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
Trusted Partnership with LeadersYou’ll work directly with business leaders to align people strategies with business initiatives. You’ll bring forward insights from data, identify trends, and challenge assumptions to help leaders make informed, forward-looking decisions around workforce planning, org design, and talent.
Associate Relations & Workplace HealthYou’ll handle complex associate relations issues with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion. You’ll also look for patterns across situations, using those insights to proactively guide leaders, strengthen decision making, and maintain a workplace that is respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant.
Talent, Performance & GrowthYou’ll support leaders with succession planning, talent reviews, and performance conversations. You’ll use talent data and trends to identify risks, inform development strategies, and help leaders focus on what will move the needle.
Change & Organizational EvolutionChange is constant, and you’ll help leaders manage it well. From assessing impact, anticipating risks, and shaping thoughtful, people-centered plans, you’ll support transitions that are thoughtful, clear, and people centered. You’ll partner closely with HR Centers of Excellence to bring forward solutions grounded in both data and real business needs.
Listening, Learning & InsightYou’ll oversee offboarding and exit interviews, identifying themes and trends that can improve the associate experience and inform future decisions. You won’t just gather feedback, you’ll translate it into actionable insight.
HR Business Partner or Senior HR Business Partner
We are open to hiring at the HR Business Partner or Senior HR Business Partner level based on demonstrated ability to influence business outcomes and operate at a more strategic level.
At the Senior HRBP level, this role expands in scope and influence. In addition to the responsibilities above, you will serve as a leader within the HR function, mentoring and guiding other HRBPs, strengthening team effectiveness, and helping elevate how we partner across the organization.
Senior HRBPs take greater ownership in shaping talent strategies and organizational outcomes. You will bring forward insights, identify trends, and influence decisions at a broader level, while helping leaders connect people strategies to business priorities and drive meaningful cultural and operational results.
What You Bring – HR Business Partner
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in an HR Business Partner role• Strong communication and relationship building skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge when needed• A data informed mindset, with the ability to use insights to guide decisions• Sound judgment and comfort navigating ambiguity and complex situations• Solid business acumen and a bias for practical, results oriented solutions• A genuine interest in building inclusive, high performing teams• The ability to balance business needs with thoughtful HR practices
What You Bring – Senior HR Business Partner
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years operating as an HR Business Partner or in a similar capacity• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect people strategies to business priorities and measurable outcomes• Proven ability to influence decisions and drive outcomes with senior leaders, even without direct authority• Demonstrated experience shaping and executing talent strategies, organizational design, and change initiatives• Strong ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into action and decision making• Ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity with confidence, bringing structure and clarity where needed• A proactive, results oriented approach with a focus on driving meaningful outcomes• Experience mentoring or guiding other HR professionals and contributing to overall team effectiveness• Strong commitment to fostering an inclusive, high performing workplace
Education & Credentials (Applies to Both Levels)
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)• SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar certification is a plus
Additional for Senior HR Business Partner
• Certification in Change Management (e.g., Prosci) and/or Organizational Development is a plus
#LI-BW1
Salary StatementThe salary range for this position is $86,470-$136,790.
The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity. Compensation decisions are made by West Bend and are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
BenefitsWest Bend offers a comprehensive benefit plan including but not limited to:
- Medical & Prescription Insurance
- Health Savings Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short and Long Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life and Accidental Death & Disability
- Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k) Plan with Company Match
- Pet Insurance
- Paid Time Off. Standard first year PTO is 17 days, pro-rated based on month of hire. Enhanced PTO may be available for experienced candidates
- Bonus eligible based on performance
- West Bend will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for Colorado employees, in accordance with its plans and policies.
West Bend provides equal employment opportunities to all associates and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, and promotion.
Skills Required
- 5+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in an HR Business Partner role
- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years as an HR Business Partner or in a similar capacity for the senior level
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to influence and challenge business leaders when needed
- Data-informed mindset and ability to translate insights into decisions
- Sound judgment and ability to navigate ambiguity and complex situations
- Solid business acumen and results-oriented approach
- Experience with talent strategies, organizational design, and change initiatives for the senior level
- Experience mentoring or guiding other HR professionals for the senior level
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience
- SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar certification
- Certification in Change Management, such as Prosci, and/or Organizational Development certification
What We Do
We're hiring at West Bend! Check out our careers page on our website for updated listings. Since 1894, West Bend Mutual Insurance has come to stand for excellence through the use of innovative insurance products, steady growth, and financial stability offering property/casualty insurance for homes, autos, businesses and personal property. This reputation for excellence is recognized not only by our policyholders, but by the insurance industry itself. West Bend has been rated A (Excellent) or better by A.M. Best since 1971. West Bend is also consistently ranked at the top by thousands of insurance agents nationwide in an ease-of-doing-business survey conducted annually by Deep Customer Connections, Inc. Over a hundred years ago, a fire roared through the city of West Bend, WI. This tragedy was one of the worst for our community and touched the lives of many people. Because of that fire, our company was formed. And even then, we began to show that something good can come from something bad. Over time, people have come to expect this of us. To call with problems and leave with solutions. As time passes, things change. But not our reason for being. At the core of everything we do lies a simple premise. A sincere desire to help our customers through problems and adversity. To make sure that positives come from negative situations. To step up when you need us. To do the right thing. The worst brings out our best.® That's The Silver Lining.
