Date: May 29, 2026
Location: Portland, OR, US
Company: NW Natural
Human Resource Business Partner Sr Manager
Non-Union Position
HR Management; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)
Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.
Regular FT, Exempt
Posting # 5563
About Us:
At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.
In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.
The Role:
The HR Business Partner Senior Manager serves as the strategic HR leader for a multi-state, regulated utility organization, providing enterprise-level partnership to senior and executive leadership while overseeing a team of HR Business Partners. This role is accountable for aligning people strategies with business priorities, ensuring consistent and effective HR delivery across diverse geographies within a safety-sensitive and highly regulated environment.
The position plays a key leadership role in advancing talent strategies, strengthening leadership capability, and navigating complex workforce dynamics, including labor, compliance, and operational considerations. This leader acts as a trusted advisor to executives, balancing business needs with enterprise HR practices and governance.
Day to Day:
- Serve as the strategic HR advisor to senior and executive leaders, translating business priorities into integrated HR strategies and solutions
- Lead, develop, and mentor a team of HR Business Partners, ensuring consistent execution of HR practices and strengthening capability across the team
- Provide leadership oversight for complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including investigations, by overseeing the Labor Relations & Workplace Investigations Manager and partnering with Compliance, Legal, and Labor Relations to assess risk and determine appropriate resolution strategies.
- Act as the primary connector between the business and HR Centers of Excellence (COEs), including Talent, Organizational Effectiveness, Compensation, and Compliance, ensuring alignment between enterprise programs and business needs
- Partner with COEs to deliver key initiatives, including workforce planning, succession planning, leadership development, organizational design, and change management efforts
- Ensure consistent interpretation and application of policies, programs, and practices across multiple states, balancing enterprise standards with local, regulatory, and operational considerations
- Influence and support business leaders through organizational change, including restructuring, transformation initiatives, and evolving workforce needs
- Identify and escalate enterprise-level people risks, trends, and opportunities to HR leadership, contributing to continuous improvement of HR strategy and service delivery
Come on your first day with:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant certification preferred
- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including experience supporting senior leaders in complex organizational environments
- Prior leadership experience managing HR Business Partners or comparable HR functions
- Demonstrated experience supporting multi-state or geographically dispersed workforces, preferably in a regulated or operationally intensive industry
- Strong judgment and ability to navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities, and influence leadership decisions
- If not AWI certified, must obtain certification within 18 months
Physical, Environmental & Scheduling Requirements
This position operates in a professional office environment with a hybrid work schedule. Employees are expected to work onsite at a designated company location a minimum of three (3) days per week, with the remaining work performed remotely, subject to business needs and manager direction.
Work is primarily sedentary and involves extended periods of sitting, working at a computer, and using standard office equipment such as keyboards, monitors, and telephones. Occasional standing, walking, and lifting of light materials (typically up to 15 pounds) may be required.
The role requires the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to participate in virtual and in-person meetings.
Work is generally performed during standard business hours; however, occasional schedule flexibility may be required to meet business needs, support projects, or collaborate across time zones.
What we offer:
Health & Wellness –
- Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
- Free access to an online wellness resources platform
Work Life Balance -
- Up to 23 Vacation Days
- 80 Hours of Sick Time
- 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
- Flexible work arrangements
- 3 weeks paid parental leave
- Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth.
- 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room
Financial -
- Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
- Competitive 401K company contribution and match
- 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
- Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
- Wellness incentive program
Discounts -
- 20% off natural gas service
- Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
- TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
- Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless
Base salary range: $135,550.00 - $200,500.00 per year, depending on qualifications
Annual Target Incentive: 15% target
Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% – 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.
Application Process: To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.
https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers
Deadline: 6/11/2026
Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.
E-Verify Information
NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.
All applications must be submitted through NW Natural’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.
NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341.
NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nearest Major Market: Portland Oregon