Senior Human Resources Business Partner (Maternity Leave Coverage - Temp)

Job Title: Senior Human Resources Business Partner (Maternity Leave Coverage)

Employment Type: Temporary W2 Employee (Maternity Leave Coverage) OR Contractor

Duration: Approximately 5-6 months (September-February)

Location: Remote

Whalar is the leading, most awarded, independent Creator and Social agency.  We transform brands into cultural drivers by unlocking the full creative power of Creators. 

We go beyond the conventional social and influencer strategy. We have the technology and methodology to tap into the beating pulse of communities, listen to nuances that move culture, and connect brands in ways that make them unforgettable.

With hubs in London, Berlin, New York, and Los Angeles, our reach is global. Learn more: https://www.whalar.com/

About the role:

We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on Senior Human Resources Business Partner to provide maternity leave coverage for a dynamic organization spanning both corporate and hospitality operations. This role requires a seasoned HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes full ownership of the employee experience, and can operate with a high degree of autonomy.

You will be report directly to the COO of the company and serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees across both corporate functions and hospitality teams, balancing strategic partnership with operational execution. The ideal candidate has deep expertise supporting hourly workforces, strong employee relations experience, and a thorough understanding of California and New York employment laws.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys stepping into complex environments, quickly establishing credibility, and taking ownership. We're looking for a pragmatic HR leader who is equally comfortable advising corporate executives, supporting hospitality managers, resolving employee relations issues, and rolling up their sleeves to ensure payroll and day-to-day HR operations run smoothly. The ideal candidate will have flexible working hours, with support needed across the USA. 

Success in this role requires someone who is proactive, adaptable, and confident making decisions independently while delivering a high level of service to both employees and leaders.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

• Serve as the lead HR partner for both corporate employees and hospitality operations, providing thoughtful, business-focused HR guidance across all levels of the organization.
• Independently own the day-to-day HR function during the maternity leave period, exercising sound judgment and making decisions with minimal oversight.
• Partner with business leaders to navigate organizational challenges, employee performance, workforce planning, and talent matters.
• Manage complex employee relations issues, conduct investigations, and provide practical, legally compliant recommendations and resolutions.
• Process and oversee multi-state payroll accurately and on time.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, with deep expertise in California and New York labor laws, particularly as they relate to hourly employees, wage and hour compliance, meal and rest breaks, overtime, scheduling, and leave administration.
• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, and leadership to ensure seamless execution of people initiatives.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including significant experience as a Senior HR Business Partner or equivalent.
• Proven experience supporting both corporate populations and hospitality, restaurant, retail, or other hourly workforce environments.
• Strong working knowledge of California and New York employment laws, including wage and hour regulations and employee relations best practices.
• Experience with Rippling and Lattice
• Experience managing multi-state payroll.
• Demonstrated success handling sensitive employee relations matters, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Highly autonomous with the ability to prioritize, make decisions independently, and drive work forward without extensive direction.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and executive presence, with the ability to build trust quickly across all levels of the organization.

The salary range for this role is $115,000 - $125,000 and serves as a general guideline for the potential compensation. The final salary offer will be determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the candidate's experience, expertise, alignment with the position's requirements, location, and, ultimately, budget approvals.

Our values:

At Whalar, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers. 

The perks:

Whalar provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments/experiences, so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs.

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 25 days of PTO + Sick days + Winter break
• Monthly phone/internet reimbursement
• Professional development stipend
• New joiner's Home office allowance 
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Volunteer days
• Identity theft protection & Legal assistance
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance Policy
• Voluntary Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Pet insurance
• Employee Resource Groups