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First Fed

Senior HR Business Partner

First Fed, Port Angeles, WA


This position can be done from any of our Business Centers in Bellingham, Bellevue or Port Angeles. There may be flexibility for experienced candidates to work from other locations.

Who We Are

First Fed is a local community bank on an exciting growth trajectory with 18 locations including 12 full-service branches in Western Washington. First Fed was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Best Workplace for the last 3 years and a Top Corporate Philanthropist in 2023. By popular vote, First Fed received 2023 awards for Best Bank in The Best of the Northwest, Best Banker in Readers' Choice by Cascadia Daily News, and Peninsula Daily News named us Best Bank on the Olympic Peninsula. We also received a Best-In-State bank award from Forbes in 2021.

For over 100 years First Fed has served our customers and communities throughout the PNW. We've donated over $9 million to non-profit organizations in the past 8 years through our foundations, sponsorships, direct donations, and matched employee donations. Our amazing team has volunteered over 25,000 hours in the past 5 years - many by using our benefit of 3 paid volunteer days per year!

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds - our diversity makes us stronger. Join our award-winning team!

Our Values

Optimism: We are positive and decisive. We believe the future will be better than the past. Our attitude demonstrates persistence which leads to success.

Initiative: We are self-starters and find innovative solutions. We are courageous, entrepreneurial, and passionate. We take action for good.

Respect: We include individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives. We are committed to honoring and serving others.

Growth: We learn and adapt so we can continually improve. We believe in personal growth through grit and determination.

Ownership: We are invested in our endeavors. We are accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.

Position Purpose:

The HR Sr. HR Business Partner will lead the development and implementation of strategies to enhance employee engagement, experience, satisfaction, and retention Bank wide. This role will be responsible to provide Bank leadership with the data, insights, and tools to create a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes strong organizational culture and ensures that employees feel valued and connected to the Bank's mission, vision, values, and goals.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of talent management and employee engagement practices, and the ability to drive cultural change.

Essential Functions:

Talent Management & Organizational Capability
  • Lead talent management activities to include talent calibration, career pathing, succession planning and individual development plans to support internal growth of our employees and development of organizational capability.
  • Identify skill gaps in current workforce and use them to inform recruiting practices.
  • Direct and implement performance management program including facilitation of regular employee reviews and feedback mechanisms to ensure create a culture of performance and excellence.
  • Participate in implementation of recognition and reward programs to incent high performance and align employee goals with organizational objectives.
  • Ensure that all departments and positions have clear roles and responsibilities to avoid overlaps and gaps.
  • Create an organizational culture and structure that allows for quick adaptation to changes internally or in the industry.

Culture and Engagement
  • Develop programs and activities that foster employee engagement and commitment.
  • Create and implement bank wide employee journey program to assess and streamline processes and workflows to improve operational efficiency.
  • Proactively remove barriers to employee engagement and efficiency.
  • Ensure that Bank culture aligns with the goals and values of the Bank and promotes a healthy, positive and inclusive employee environment.
  • Facilitate smooth transitions during periods of change by managing resistance and ensuring alignment.
  • Regularly assess and refine strategies to adapt to evolving business needs.

Reporting, Analytics and Technology
  • Collaborate with internal customers to understand business requirements and objectives to design and develop reporting and analytic dashboards. Provide ad hoc reports and analysis as requested. Proactively identify opportunities for reporting solutions to meet business needs and work with customers on potential solutions. Adapt reporting to changes in policies and procedures based on external required needs. Identify and implement solutions for utilizing reporting solutions to streamline and automate manual and inefficient processes.
  • Utilize HR analytics to make informed decisions about workforce planning and development.
  • Implement technology solutions that streamline HR and Bank wide processes, improve efficiency and provide real-time insights.
  • Collaborate with HR team and participate in internal and external audits of HR processes, and practices by serving as a point of contact to auditors, assigning tasks to your team as needed, and ensuring deadlines are met.
  • Maintain working knowledge of First Fed policies, procedures, and systems.
  • This role is broad and while the main focus will be on the functions above, it may support all HR functions at times. For instance, Employee Relations, Compensation, Benefits, etc. This role will cross train in all HR roles to provide coverage and support as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned


Qualifications/Requirements:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a business-related curriculum, or the equivalent.
  • Typically requires a minimum of eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in the administration and management of Human Resources, including a focus on employee experience and talent management.
  • Demonstrated success in creating and implementing employee experience & engagement programs.
  • Proficient in change management and communication planning.
  • Proven success providing high-level consultation to drive cultural change.
  • Banking experience desired. Membership in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is desirable.
  • Thorough knowledge of the processes, procedures, and customer requirements related to human resource functional areas.
  • Thorough knowledge of pertinent federal/state employment laws, including but not limited to ADAAA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, WA PFML, EPA, WLAD, etc., and their application in the administration of effective and legally compliant human resources programs.
  • Ability to plan, implement administer and manage HR programs, policies and initiatives demonstrating a collaborative approach while fostering effective working relationships and positive rapport with all stakeholders.
  • Ability to effectively deal with rapidly changing organizational issues and manage the impacts of change on the organization, its culture, and employees.
  • Sound judgment, decision-making and critical thinking skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and administer a broad range of tasks.
  • Demonstrated effective and professional interpersonal skills and the ability to foster teamwork, collaboration, and open communications at all levels throughout the organization.
  • Strong organizational skills, self-motivation, and the ability to plan, schedule and work both independently and in teams within a service-oriented organization.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with HRIS.
  • A valid Washington State driver's license is required.

Physical Requirements:

The work requires the ability to operate office machines and equipment, such as personal computers, printers, copying machines and telephones. The work requires the ability to communicate clearly with customers, coworkers, and others in person and on telephones. Work activities involve combinations of sitting/standing for extended periods

Pay Range
  • The pay range for this position is $87,151.75 - $148,157.98
  • The typical hiring range for this position is $110,000 - $125,000
  • Pay range may be higher based on location.
  • The incentive plan for this position is the Officer Incentive Plan. It is paid out annually with a 12.5-15% target payout on a spectrum of Threshold, Target and Stretch.
  • Employees will be eligible for our benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plans (401k with company match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan), gym membership reimbursement, discounts on our banking products, and more! Additional information on our benefits package can be viewed at https://www.ourfirstfed.com/careers


Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)