Senior Director, Strategic People Business Partner

SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC PEOPLE BUSINESS PARTNER

At Day One, we are focused on advancing first- or best-in-class medicines for childhood and adult diseases with equal intensity. We were founded to address the lack of new therapies resulting from the traditional drug development model, that has left children with cancer and their families waiting too long for new, life-changing treatments. Our aim is to accelerate better, targeted treatments so patients of any age can look forward from ‘day one’ to the future they’ve envisioned.

POSITION SUMMARY:   

This is a strategic, enterprise-level HR leadership role for an experienced executive who wants to be deeply embedded in the business, influencing decisions, shaping leaders, and building durable people systems, without the administrative drag or title inflation that often comes with senior HR roles. 

As the primary HR Business Partner to Research & Development, you will work directly with the Head of R&D and their leadership team, serving as a trusted advisor on organizational strategy, leadership effectiveness, talent, and culture. You will also play a critical enterprise role in shaping internal communications and total compensation strategy, two capabilities essential to Day One’s next phase of growth. This role reports to the VP, People Business Partners.  

This role is intentionally scoped for impact, influence, and trust, not empire-building. 

Strong preference for candidates in the Greater Boston area who can work a hybrid schedule with regular in-office days.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Strategic HR Partnership – R&D 

• Serve as the senior HR advisor to the Head of R&D and his leadership team, partnering on strategy, org design, workforce planning, leadership development, and succession.
• Translate scientific and portfolio strategy into people and organizational plans that scale with rigor and flexibility.
• Coach senior leaders through complex decisions of growth, change, performance, and culture, grounded in sound judgment and business context.
• Act as a connective tissue between R&D and the broader enterprise, ensuring alignment without slowing momentum.

Enterprise Internal Communications 

• Partner closely with the Chief People Officer to design and mature a robust internal communications capability appropriate for a growing public biotech.
• Advise executives on clear, authentic communication during moments of change, growth, and ambiguity.
• Help leaders in crafting a clear story about the direction of Day One and how each employee plays a role in the mission. 

Culture, Values & Inclusion 

• Serve as a visible steward of Day One’s culture and leadership expectations.
• Embed inclusion and belonging into talent, rewards, leadership behaviors, and decision-making—not as a program, but as a way of working.
• Model executive-level partnership grounded in trust, discretion, and accountability. 

QUALIFICATIONS  

• 15+ years of senior HR leadership experience, ideally within Biotech, TechBio, or Healthcare.
• Sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and comfort navigating ambiguity.
• Demonstrated success partnering with R&D or scientific organizations at the executive level.
• Deep expertise in total rewards and compensation strategy, especially pay for performance, goal setting, and team performance.
• Strong business and financial acumen: you understand how people strategy enables pipeline execution and enterprise value.
• Executive presence paired with humility: you influence through credibility, not volume.
• A builder’s mindset: you enjoy creating structure, clarity, and trust where they matter most. 

How We Work at Day One 

At Day One, how we show up matters. 

• Audacious Outcomes: We do what we say we will do.
• Urgency with Purpose: Decisions grounded in purpose and impact.
• Building Bridges, Not Silos: Progress through partnership.
• Inclusion and belonging: Where diverse perspectives strengthen outcomes and honest conversations are delivered with respect.

You don’t need to be perfect. You do need to be thoughtful, accountable, and human. We take the mission seriously and ourselves lightly. A well-placed metaphor is welcome if it helps people see more clearly.

Why This Role Is Different 

• Direct partnership with R&D leadership at a critical inflection point
• Broad enterprise scope with real ownership (not advisory-only)
• Opportunity to shape culture, rewards, and leadership in a growing public biotech
• A chance to apply deep expertise where it truly matters—without unnecessary layers 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. 

INTERVIEW INTEGRITY 

At Day One, we expect each candidate to engage authentically, representing their true qualifications and experiences. As part of our screening process, we will conduct several interviews and background verification. This ensures candidates have the skills they claim and align with our values. We are excited to learn more about you and to create a genuine experience for everyone. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

The salary range for this position is $260,000 - $280,000. Day One considers a range of factors when determining base compensation. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. 

Please visit https://www.dayonebio.com/benefits to see our competitive benefits. 

DISCLAIMER 

Day One Biopharmaceuticals is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of any applicant work visas at this time. 

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Day One Biopharmaceuticals does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Day One Biopharmaceuticals or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Day One Biopharmaceutical’s internal HR team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Day One Biopharmaceuticals, and Day One Biopharmaceuticals will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.