Senior HR Business Partner

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion! This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO. As a Senior HR Business Partner, you will serve as a trusted advisor to managers and leaders across Xcimer, helping build high-performing teams, develop organizational capabilities, and align people strategies with business objectives. You will partner closely with leadership to support talent planning, organizational effectiveness, performance management, employee relations, and change management as we continue to rapidly scale. This role requires a well-rounded HR professional who combines strong HR fundamentals with business acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to influence and coach leaders at all levels. You will help managers navigate complex people challenges, identify opportunities to improve team effectiveness, and implement programs and initiatives that support employee development, engagement, and organizational growth. We are looking for a proactive, collaborative, and solutions-oriented HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and is passionate about helping leaders and employees succeed. Responsibilities - Leadership Partnership & Coaching: Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and leaders on people-related matters, providing guidance on leadership effectiveness, team dynamics, employee development, and organizational challenges. Help managers build the skills and confidence to lead high-performing teams. - Learning & Leadership Development: Own and expand the Workday LMS system into a center of excellence. Partner with leaders and the People team to identify learning and development needs, support leadership development initiatives, and improve manager effectiveness. Contribute to the development and implementation of virtual/in-person trainings, coaching, and organizational development programs. - Talent Planning & Development: Partner with leadership to assess current and future talent needs, identify capability gaps, support succession planning, and develop strategies to attract, retain, and grow critical talent. Support career development, internal mobility, and talent review processes. - Organizational Effectiveness & Design: Partner with leaders to evaluate organizational structures, roles, responsibilities, and team effectiveness. Help identify opportunities to improve organizational alignment, accountability, communication, and operational efficiency as the company scales. - Change Management: Support leaders through organizational changes, including team restructuring, leadership transitions, process improvements, and evolving business priorities. Develop and execute change management strategies that promote clear communication, employee engagement, and successful adoption. - Performance Management: Coach managers on setting clear expectations, delivering effective feedback, addressing performance concerns, and developing employees. Support performance review cycles, talent calibrations, performance improvement plans, and employee development initiatives. - Employee Relations: Provide guidance and support on employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, workplace concerns, investigations, and disciplinary actions. Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant practices while balancing employee needs with business objectives. - People Analytics & Workforce Insights: Leverage HR data, employee feedback, and workforce trends to identify organizational risks, evaluate program effectiveness, and provide actionable recommendations to leadership. - Culture & Employee Engagement: Partner with managers to strengthen employee engagement, reinforce company values, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Support engagement surveys and action planning to address opportunities for improvement. - HR Programs, Policies & Compliance: Collaborate with the broader People Operations team to implement HR programs, improve processes, and ensure consistent application of company policies and employment practices. Provide guidance on HR compliance and employment-related matters. Qualifications - Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. - Experience: 4+ years of progressive HR experience, including experience in an HR Business Partner or similar role supporting managers and leaders. - Demonstrated experience advising and coaching managers on employee relations, performance management, talent development, and organizational challenges. - Experience supporting talent planning, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, or change management initiatives. - Strong understanding of employment laws, HR best practices, and employee relations principles. - Ability to build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders, and provide thoughtful, practical guidance to leaders at varying levels of experience. - Strong business acumen with the ability to understand organizational priorities and translate business needs into actionable people strategies. - Excellent judgment, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive and complex employee situations. - Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. - Experience using HR systems, workforce data, and employee feedback to inform recommendations and decision-making. - Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion. - Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum Desired - Experience supporting engineering, manufacturing, scientific, or other highly technical organizations. - Experience in a startup, high-growth company, or organization undergoing significant change or transformation. - Advanced knowledge in Organizational Development (OD), including matrixed organizational design, team effectiveness, leadership assessment, or organizational change initiatives. - Senior level knowledge in Learning & Development (L&D), including developing and administering company wide learning campaigns, leadership & employee development programs, manager training programs and learning needs assessments. - Experience partnering with senior leaders on workforce planning, talent reviews, succession planning, or organizational restructuring. - Experience supporting both salaried and hourly/non-exempt employee populations. - HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP). - Experience with Workday or similar HRIS platforms. Equal Employment Opportunity Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Benefits Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long-term success. Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.