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Senior HR Business Partner

San Carlos, California, United States

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 
 
WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:
 
*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.
 
*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.
 
*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.
 
*MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

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).

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

 

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