Overview:
The HR Business Partner (HRBP) Director is senior strategic advisor to executive leadership, accountable for aligning people strategy to business objectives and delivering enterprise‑level talent outcomes: right talent, in the right roles, with the right skills—now and for the future. Success in the role will be accomplished by effectively leading a team of HRBPs, across multiple business lines/geographies, and partnering with HR COEs to drive workforce planning, succession, capability building, performance, and organizational effectiveness that translate into measurable business results.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as a strategic advisor and coach to executive leaders on human capital strategy, people management, and career development to advance organizational priorities and strengthen overall business performance.
- Translate business strategies into integrated human capital plans (workforce planning, talent, and performance), and lead the design, development, and execution of those plans across assigned business lines.
- Lead and develop a high performing HRBP team; set the vision, standards, and operating rhythm (planning cadence, portfolio management, stakeholder engagement).
- Unify HR Services and COEs to co create scalable solutions; remove duplication, clarify handoffs, and improve service levels.
- Oversee and ensure execution of people programs and processes (Employee Engagement, Talent Calibration/Review, Performance Management, and Compensation Cycle) and offer an enterprise‑wide view of insights, outcomes, and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Utilize Talent data (e.g., Workday, analytics dashboards) to share concise insights and decisions—predict talent risk, quantify skills gaps, track talent movement, and tie to business KPIs.
- Lead change strategies (stakeholder mapping, communications, adoption, governance) for large transformations; oversee critical workstreams and outcomes.
- Coach leaders through change with clear, timely, and transparent communication and engagement strategies.
- Assess organizational development needs and partner with HR COEs to address capability gaps and build critical skills for current and future needs.
- Provide organizational design expertise, working with the business lines to ensure the achievement of business goals and financial targets in collaboration with other key stakeholders (Finance, HR COEs, etc.)
- Leverage strong HR and business acumen to forecast risks/opportunities and to shape solutions that strengthen competitive advantages in the market.
- Exercise managerial authority for staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, compensation recommendations, performance management, and terminations.
- Promote an environment that supports engagement and belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand; maintain internal control standards, including timely implementation of audit and regulatory findings, as applicable.
- In collaboration with the business, develop strategic workforce plans, including activities needed to ensure workforce designs and capabilities meet current and future organizational goals.
- Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls following the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
- Promote an environment that supports engagement and belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
- Complete other related duties as assigned.
Key competencies:
Strategic Consulting
Business acumen & systems thinking: Connects market dynamics, P&L drivers, and people levers; frames trade‑offs and second‑order effects.
Problem structuring & options: Translates ambiguous issues into clear hypotheses, options with implications, and “so what/now what” recommendations.
Decision enablement: Uses data and narratives to drive decisions quickly; sets governance to track outcomes.
Constructive challenge: Courage to disagree, reframe, and course‑correct with executives.
Partnership & Collaboration
Orchestrates the matrix: Partners with HR COEs, Finance, Legal, and business leaders to co‑create scalable, user‑centric solutions.
Builds alliances: Breaks silos, negotiates tradeoffs, and ensures clear ownership and handoffs.
Influences without authority: Mobilizes resources and maintains momentum across complex, multi‑line environments.
Partnership savvy: Leverages external partners where they accelerate capability and value.
Impact & Influence
Executive presence & storytelling: Synthesizes complex data into a concise narrative; tailors to the audience; makes the choice easy.
Stakeholder strategy: Maps power/interest, anticipates resistance, builds coalitions, and secures sponsorship.
Outcome orientation: Drives decisions to closure; sets clear accountabilities and operating mechanisms; follows through to measured impact.
Additional Differentiators: Delivers results, inspires followers, change leadership; develops talent.
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years in HR and/or relevant business roles (or 15+ years combined experience without a degree), including 5+ years leading managers/senior HRBPs.
- Experience across two or more HR disciplines with leadership accountability.
- Proven judgment resolving complex issues in ambiguous, high‑stakes environments.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365/Copilot and HRIS/analytics tools.
Education and Experience Preferred:
- Master’s degree; SPHR and/or SHRM‑SCP.
- Workday expertise; people analytics fluency.
- 5+ years leading HRBPs in complex, multi‑line, multi‑geography organizations.
- Proven ability to influence senior leaders in client‑centric environments and guide organizational design for growth in specialized markets.
- Experience supporting financial services businesses, with strong understanding of advisory, credit, and revenue‑generating talent models.
Physical Requirements:
#LI-LA1
M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $188,800.00 - $314,600.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.
Location
New York, New York, United States of America