Senior HR Business Partner — Temporary / Fixed-Term (6 Months)

About the role

Motive is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner on a temporary / fixed-term basis to support our R&D organizations for an initial six-month period. This role is intended to start as soon as possible and provide interim coverage during a leave and transition period, while ensuring strong continuity of support for leaders and employees. We are looking for candidates preferably in PST or MST for best time zone coverage.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role for an experienced HRBP who can quickly build credibility with managers, operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, and balance strategic judgment with day-to-day execution. You will partner closely with R&D leaders and the broader People team to coach managers, support employee relations, drive performance management practices, and help execute core talent and people programs across the organization.

As part of our People function, your goal is to help Motive’s R&D organizations operate effectively, develop strong managers, and create a high-performing and positive employee experience.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a trusted HR Business Partner to leaders, managers, and individual contributors across Engineering and Product, providing practical coaching and support on day-to-day people matters
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the R&D organizations under the CTO and CPO to understand business priorities, team dynamics, and talent needs
• Coach managers on performance management, feedback, employee development, and organizational effectiveness
• Support performance management processes, including coaching, documentation, performance improvement conversations, and partnership on difficult employee matters
• Conduct exit meetings and identify themes and trends that can inform manager coaching and broader People priorities
• Independently manage employee relations matters with sound judgment, strong documentation, and appropriate partnership with Legal and cross-functional stakeholders when needed
• Help execute key People programs and cycles, including compensation reviews, the Employee Growth Cycle, and the Your Voice Matters employee engagement survey
• Partner with leaders to surface talent trends, organizational risks, and opportunities, and translate those insights into practical recommendations and action plans
• Ensure consistent application of Motive policies, HR practices, and employment standards while maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism
• Collaborate closely with the Lead HRBP and People cross-functional partners to maintain continuity, share field insights, and support priority initiatives across the business
• Serve as a friendly face in HR for curious employees across the globe on people programs and processes

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including significant HRBP experience supporting fast-paced, high-growth organizations with a global footprint
• Experience supporting technical client groups such as Engineering, Product, or broader R&D organizations
• Strong manager coaching capability across performance management, employee development, employee relations, and organizational effectiveness
• Demonstrated experience handling employee relations matters with sound judgment, strong documentation, and a high degree of discretion
• Working knowledge of compensation cycles, engagement surveys, and core talent programs such as performance reviews and growth or development cycles
• Ability to leverage AI tools to improve HR processes and employee experiences while exercising sound judgment and protecting confidentiality.
• Possess a strong business acumen and bias for operational excellence
• Ability to quickly build trust and credibility with leaders, managers, and employees at multiple levels of the organization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify patterns, assess risk, and make practical recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a clear, approachable, and professional style
• High level of ownership, execution focus, and comfort operating in a dynamic environment with changing priorities
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field preferred
• HR certification and experience supporting globally distributed teams are a plus

Why this role matters

This role is critical to maintaining strong People partnership and operational continuity for Motive’s R&D organizations during an important transition period. The right person will bring steady execution, thoughtful coaching, and a practical approach that helps leaders and employees stay supported while key business and talent priorities continue moving forward.

Motive is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We consider qualified applicants without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, and local law.