Manager, People & Culture Business Partner

AeroVironment

Manager of People & Culture partnering with business to drive HR strategies and workforce planning at AV, an autonomous systems company. Ensuring compliance and fostering employee engagement initiatives.

Posted 4/25/2026full-timeSan Luis Obispo • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $106,500 - $151,200 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Partner with the business in developing an understanding of the people and organizational strategy needs and assist in designing and executing solutions in the areas of talent acquisition, change management, organizational design, business process improvement, performance management, and effective communication
Advise on organizational design, workforce planning, and talent optimization to support growth, restructuring, and program delivery
Lead performance management processes in partnership with P&C Talent Development team, including goal setting, reviews, and calibration, ensuring consistency and alignment with business priorities
Identify and recommend high-potential talent development, and support succession planning for critical roles
Coach leaders on employee engagement, performance, leadership effectiveness, and communication strategies
Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, conduct and support investigations in compliance with company policies and applicable employment laws
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as government contracting requirements (including ITAR), and maintain audit-ready documentation
Analyze workforce data and trends (e.g., attrition, engagement, hiring) to inform decision-making and proactive planning
Partner with Talent Acquisition on hiring strategies and workforce planning, including scenario modeling for program needs
Collaborate with Total Rewards to support salary planning, promotions, and equity reviews, ensuring competitive and compliant compensation practices
Lead and support employee engagement initiatives and action planning based on survey results; provide advice on issues affecting morale, performance, development and organization effectiveness, helping to determine root causes and recommending appropriate next steps
Drive communication and change management efforts, including support for business transformations and M&A integration as applicable
Lead and execute cross-functional P&C initiatives and projects, (e.g., organizational redesigns, talent programs, system implementations, M&A integration support) from planning through delivery
Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and milestones; track progress, manage risks, and ensure alignment with business priorities
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders (P&C, Legal, Finance, IT, and business leaders) to ensure effective execution of core people processes (e.g., onboarding, performance cycles, compensation reviews)
Utilize HR systems (e.g., Workday) to support data-driven decision-making and continuous process improvement
Manage multiple priorities effectively while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through on commitments

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree required in Human Resources, Organizational Development or Businesses required or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Advanced degree, MBA or MS is preferred
Minimum 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 3–5+ years as a P&C Business Partner
Strong knowledge of employment law and HR practices
Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., aerospace, defense, government contracting)
Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior leaders
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical
dental
vision
401K with company matching
a 9/80 work schedule
paid holiday shutdown

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

talent acquisitionchange managementorganizational designbusiness process improvementperformance managementworkforce planningdata analysisemployee relationssuccession planningHR systems

Soft Skills

communicationcoachingleadership effectivenessemployee engagementproblem-solvingdecision-makinginfluencingattention to detailproject managementcollaboration

Certifications

Bachelor's degree in Human ResourcesMBAMS in Organizational Development