Sr. People Business Partner & HR Process Excellence Manager

OVERVIEW
Axiom Space is a human space exploration company, building era-defining space infrastructure and delivering technology-driven solutions that will empower civilization to transcend Earth. Beginning with Axiom Station, successor to the International Space Station, the company is pioneering a next-generation orbital settlement that will foster groundbreaking innovation and research in microgravity and drive the global space economy of tomorrow. Today, guided by the vision of leading humanity's expansion off planet, Axiom Space is the principal provider of commercial human spaceflight services and developer of advanced spacesuits for the Moon and beyond. For more information about Axiom Space, visit www.axiomspace.com.
Axiom Space fosters a work environment inclusive of all perspectives. We are the pioneers of commercial space, leading the transformation of low-Earth orbit into a global space marketplace. Our mission-driven team is seeking a bold and dynamic Sr People Business Partner & HR Process Excellence Manager who is fueled by high accountability, execution horsepower, and driven to understand our world, science/technology, and life itself, for the benefit of all on Earth and beyond.
POSITION SUMMARY
Since Axiom Space is a very complex work environment, we are looking for a resilient, high-energy experienced Sr People Business Partner & HR Process Excellence Manager, similar to a traditional Human Resources Business Partner, to develop and maintain consultative partnerships with company leaders in assigned business unit(s) to execute end-to-end delivery of People & Culture (P&C) services. This role also holds enterprise-wide accountability for HR operational excellence: process design, HRIS/Workday enablement, and cross-functional project delivery across the full P&C organization.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as a senior-level People & Culture partner to assigned business units, providing consultative guidance, independent judgment, and data-informed recommendations that align people strategies with business priorities. Manage a portfolio of complex, cross-functional P&C projects that address business needs, improve HR service delivery, and advance organizational effectiveness.
· Build trusted partnerships with leaders to understand business objectives, assess organizational needs, and develop workforce and talent strategies that support growth, effectiveness, and retention.
· Advise and coach leaders through complex employee relations, performance management, organizational design, team effectiveness, engagement, and change management matters.
· Independently assess and resolve escalated workplace concerns, conduct investigations, interpret policy, and partner with Legal and leadership to support compliant and equitable outcomes.
· Partner across Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Learning & Development, and People Operations to deliver integrated solutions across the employee lifecycle.
· Analyze people data, workforce trends, and business insights to identify risks, influence decisions, and recommend practical solutions that improve organizational outcomes.
· Guide leaders and employees on employment practices, company policies, leave management, accommodations, and compliance requirements.
· Own the enterprise HR process excellence agenda: partner with HR functional owners to assess current-state processes across the employee lifecycle, identify gaps, and lead design of standardized, scalable future-state processes.
· Lead or contribute to complex P&C initiatives, process improvements, and change efforts that strengthen leader capability, employee experience, and service delivery.
· Provide guidance and informal mentorship to peers and stakeholders by sharing HR expertise, best practices, and sound judgment.
· Serve as HR project manager for People & Culture initiatives, developing project plans, timelines, milestones, and resourcing needs, and tracking progress against deliverables.
· Coordinate cross-functional HR projects, including new system rollouts, policy launches, and org design initiatives, ensuring alignment of scope, timeline, budget, and stakeholder communication.
· Identify project risks and dependencies, escalate issues as needed, and drive resolution to keep HR projects on schedule and within scope.
· Build and maintain project documentation, status reports, and communication plans to keep leadership and stakeholders informed on HR project progress.
· Perform additional duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education & Experience
· Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university in human resources or related field
· MBA or MA/MS in human resources or related field, preferred
· Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in a HR Business Partner role
· Minimum of 3 years of experience resolving complex employee relations challenges
· Thorough understanding of all areas of HR specifically in how the function makes a line of business successful utilizing talent management programs
· Maintains in-depth, working knowledge of multiple human resource disciplines, including compensation practices, organizational diagnosis, performance management, and federal and state respective employment laws
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, required
· Proficiency with HR information systems. Experience with Workday, preferred.
· Experience in start-up environment, preferred
· SPHR, or SHRM-SCP or PHR, preferred
· Demonstrated ownership of enterprise-level HR process, systems, or project work,, including planning, budgeting, and tracking timelines and deliverables; PMP or other project management certification, a plus
· Experience collaborating with HR Centers of Excellence, HRIS, and business functions to design, implement, and sustain HR processes, programs, and solutions.
Required Skills:
· Builds credibility and trust with employees and leaders at all levels, using sound judgment, discretion, and tact in complex or sensitive situations.
· Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities, projects, and decisions in a fast-paced environment.
· Applies strong project management skills, including planning, scheduling, risk tracking, and stakeholder communication, to keep HR initiatives on track.
· Develops, influences, and implements practical solutions to complex business and people challenges.
· Communicates effectively across interpersonal, facilitation, negotiation, coaching, and written channels.
· Demonstrates critical thinking, initiative, adaptability, and ownership from problem identification through execution.
· Brings positive energy, a growth mindset, and