HR Manager – HR Business Partner

Ardena Careers

HR Manager/HR Business Partner shaping people strategy and driving HR improvements. Leading HR services and ensuring compliance in a global pharmaceutical development organization.

Posted 5/21/2026full-timeSomerset • New Jersey • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $120,000 - $135,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as a trusted HR business partner to site leadership and managers, offering guidance on complex employee relations, performance management, disciplinary and grievance matters, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
Support recruitment and onboarding activities by partnering with hiring managers, advising on selection strategies, participating in interviews, and ensuring a smooth induction experience that meets compliance and safety requirements.
Drive performance management processes, coaching managers on objective setting, regular feedback, probation reviews and performance improvement plans; support talent calibration and succession planning activities.
Develop, implement and maintain HR policies and procedures in line with Ardena standards; ensure policies are communicated and applied consistently across the site.
Deliver learning and development initiatives in collaboration with HR colleagues, including onboarding, compliance training and targeted development programs that build capability and engagement.
Manage HR administration activities, including HRIS records, contract changes, absence management, benefits administration and HR reporting to ensure accurate and timely people data.
Provide HR metrics and analysis (headcount, turnover, absence, recruitment KPIs) to support decision-making and continuous improvement of people practices.
Support employee engagement initiatives and site culture activities that reinforce Ardena’s CARE values: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable and Excellent.
Ensure compliance with relevant employment legislation and support internal and external audits or inspections related to HR practices.
Lead AI-driven process improvement and automation initiatives across HR programs.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field preferred.
8+ years’ progressive HR experience with demonstrable experience in employee relations, performance management and HR advisory; experience in a regulated or manufacturing environment is desirable.
Experience working as an HR Business Partner or HR Manager supporting multi-disciplinary teams.
HR certification preferred.
AI certification or formal training is a plus
Strong working knowledge of US employment legislation and best practice HR processes.
Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and integrity.
Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills with the ability to influence leaders and build credible relationships at all levels.
Payroll proficiency with Paylocity a plus
Analytical approach to HR metrics and experience using HRIS systems; proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, for reporting and analysis.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work to deadlines.
Change agent mindset: able to identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and employee experience.
Alignment with Ardena’s CARE values and a commitment to promoting a safe, inclusive and collaborative workplace.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary and tailored benefits package (adjusted per role and location)
Flexible working arrangements and paid annual leave (where applicable, depending on role and site)
International and collaborative work environment across European and US sites
Access to professional development and training programmes
Meaningful work on pharmaceutical development projects that advance patient health
A values-driven culture guided by Ardena’s CARE principles: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable, and Excellent

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

employee relationsperformance managementHR advisoryHR policies and proceduresHR metrics and analysisconfidentialitypayroll proficiencyHRIS systemscompliance trainingprocess improvement

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillscoaching skillsinfluencerelationship buildingorganizational skillschange agent mindsetdiscretionintegritymulti-taskingengagement initiatives

Certifications

HR certificationAI certification