Apellis Pharmaceuticals
Executive Director, People Experience Partnership and G&A HRBP
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States, 02254
Summary
Apellis is seeking an experienced and enterprise-minded Executive Director / Senior Director, People Experience Partners and HRBP G&A to lead the company’s People Experience Partnership model, consolidating HR Business Partnering, People Relations, and below‑SLT HR support into a single, scalable organization. As the senior HR Business Partner for G&A functions, the role provides leadership oversight to the Director, HRBP Tech Ops & Quality, and People Experience Partners supporting employees below the SLT across the enterprise. The role is accountable for strategic HR partnership, execution excellence, governance, and consistency across HRBP and People Experience delivery. As a core member of the Global People Experience Leadership team, this leader ensures tight alignment between HR COEs and embedded HR partners, strengthens leadership trust, and enables Apellis’ next phase of growth.
Roles and Responsibilities
Demonstrate an enterprise mindset focused on what is best for Apellis overall
Build a symbiotic partnership with HR COEs, sharing insights that shape strategy and ensuring frameworks are executed consistently
Bring the voice of Apellis leadership to influence HR tools, priorities, and governance
Communicate clearly, consistently, and proactively to build trust across HR and business leadership
Key Areas of Focus
Enterprise HR Leadership
Lead the People Experience Partnership function, combining HRBP, People Relations, and below‑SLT People Experience support into a cohesive operating model
Set clear expectations, governance, and execution standards across HRBP and People Experience roles
Act as a senior leader within the HR organization, modeling enterprise‑first thinking and collaboration
Strategic HR Partnership
Serve as the senior HR Business Partner to G&A leadership (Finance, Legal, Business Development/Strategy, Human Resources, and other enterprise functions)
Lead the Director, HRBP for Tech Ops & Quality HRBP
Advise leaders on organizational design, talent strategy, leadership effectiveness, and culture
Partner with the Chief of Staff and enterprise leaders to support cross‑functional alignment and execution
People Experience Partnership & Below‑SLT Support
Lead and develop Senior Managers, People Experience Partners who provide day‑to‑day HR support below the SLT
Ensure consistent, high‑quality execution of performance management, employee relations, workforce planning, and talent processes
Drive clarity on roles, escalation paths, and decision rights between HRBPs, People Experience, and COEs
People Relations & Risk Management
Oversee People Relations and Immigration within the PXPO model
Ensure proactive risk management while building leader capability in performance and employee accountability
COE Integration & Governance
Partner closely with Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and People Operations to ensure frameworks are practical, scalable, and consistently deployed
Bring field insights to COEs to influence enterprise HR strategy and program design
Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement
Use workforce data, engagement insights, and talent analytics to inform priorities and improve HR impact
Continuously refine the People Experience Partnership model to improve efficiency, trust, and employee experience
Required Education Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in HR, Business, Law, Organizational Development, or related field preferred.
Required Experience
15+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior‑level HRBP leadership
Demonstrated success leading HR organizations through scale, transformation, or operating‑model redesign
Experience partnering with executive‑level leaders in G&A and enterprise functions
Prior people‑leadership experience managing HRBPs, HR Generalists, or People Relations teams
Skills & Competencies
Enterprise HR leadership and strategic judgment
Executive coaching and influence
Organizational design and governance
Strong operational discipline and execution focus
Ability to balance strategy with hands‑on leadership
Trusted advisor with credibility across the business
Physical Demands & Work Environment Office based work environment
Travel Requirements 10%
Work Arrangements Hybrid
Pay Information Base salary for this role will consider multiple factors, including but not limited to, candidate qualifications, relevant expertise, specialized skills, and industry experience in complement‑targeted therapies. The targeted base salary range for this position is $250,200–$375,300. This range represents the base salary only and reflects Apellis’ commitment to competitive compensation within the biopharmaceutical industry. The final salary offered may vary based on individual qualifications, business needs, and current market conditions.
Benefits and Perks Apellis offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) plan with company match, inclusive family building benefits, flexible time off, summer and winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, and more! Visit https://apellis.com/careers/benefits/ to learn more.
Company Background Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company leading the way in complement science to develop life‑changing therapies for some of the most challenging diseases patients face. We ushered in the first new class of complement medicine in 15 years and now have two C3‑targeting medicines approved to treat four serious diseases. Breakthroughs for patients include the first‑ever therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness, and the first treatment for patients 12 and older with C3G or primary IC‑MPGN, two severe, rare kidney diseases. We believe we have only begun to unlock the potential of targeting C3 across many serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://apellis.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X.
EEO Statement Apellis is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local fair employment practices laws. Apellis strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, marital status, AIDS/HIV status, smoker/nonsmoker, and occupational pneumoconiosis or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. For San Francisco postings: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
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Roles and Responsibilities
Demonstrate an enterprise mindset focused on what is best for Apellis overall
Build a symbiotic partnership with HR COEs, sharing insights that shape strategy and ensuring frameworks are executed consistently
Bring the voice of Apellis leadership to influence HR tools, priorities, and governance
Communicate clearly, consistently, and proactively to build trust across HR and business leadership
Key Areas of Focus
Enterprise HR Leadership
Lead the People Experience Partnership function, combining HRBP, People Relations, and below‑SLT People Experience support into a cohesive operating model
Set clear expectations, governance, and execution standards across HRBP and People Experience roles
Act as a senior leader within the HR organization, modeling enterprise‑first thinking and collaboration
Strategic HR Partnership
Serve as the senior HR Business Partner to G&A leadership (Finance, Legal, Business Development/Strategy, Human Resources, and other enterprise functions)
Lead the Director, HRBP for Tech Ops & Quality HRBP
Advise leaders on organizational design, talent strategy, leadership effectiveness, and culture
Partner with the Chief of Staff and enterprise leaders to support cross‑functional alignment and execution
People Experience Partnership & Below‑SLT Support
Lead and develop Senior Managers, People Experience Partners who provide day‑to‑day HR support below the SLT
Ensure consistent, high‑quality execution of performance management, employee relations, workforce planning, and talent processes
Drive clarity on roles, escalation paths, and decision rights between HRBPs, People Experience, and COEs
People Relations & Risk Management
Oversee People Relations and Immigration within the PXPO model
Ensure proactive risk management while building leader capability in performance and employee accountability
COE Integration & Governance
Partner closely with Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and People Operations to ensure frameworks are practical, scalable, and consistently deployed
Bring field insights to COEs to influence enterprise HR strategy and program design
Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement
Use workforce data, engagement insights, and talent analytics to inform priorities and improve HR impact
Continuously refine the People Experience Partnership model to improve efficiency, trust, and employee experience
Required Education Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in HR, Business, Law, Organizational Development, or related field preferred.
Required Experience
15+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior‑level HRBP leadership
Demonstrated success leading HR organizations through scale, transformation, or operating‑model redesign
Experience partnering with executive‑level leaders in G&A and enterprise functions
Prior people‑leadership experience managing HRBPs, HR Generalists, or People Relations teams
Skills & Competencies
Enterprise HR leadership and strategic judgment
Executive coaching and influence
Organizational design and governance
Strong operational discipline and execution focus
Ability to balance strategy with hands‑on leadership
Trusted advisor with credibility across the business
Physical Demands & Work Environment Office based work environment
Travel Requirements 10%
Work Arrangements Hybrid
Pay Information Base salary for this role will consider multiple factors, including but not limited to, candidate qualifications, relevant expertise, specialized skills, and industry experience in complement‑targeted therapies. The targeted base salary range for this position is $250,200–$375,300. This range represents the base salary only and reflects Apellis’ commitment to competitive compensation within the biopharmaceutical industry. The final salary offered may vary based on individual qualifications, business needs, and current market conditions.
Benefits and Perks Apellis offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a 401(k) plan with company match, inclusive family building benefits, flexible time off, summer and winter shutdowns, paid family leave, disability and life insurance, and more! Visit https://apellis.com/careers/benefits/ to learn more.
Company Background Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company leading the way in complement science to develop life‑changing therapies for some of the most challenging diseases patients face. We ushered in the first new class of complement medicine in 15 years and now have two C3‑targeting medicines approved to treat four serious diseases. Breakthroughs for patients include the first‑ever therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness, and the first treatment for patients 12 and older with C3G or primary IC‑MPGN, two severe, rare kidney diseases. We believe we have only begun to unlock the potential of targeting C3 across many serious diseases. For more information, please visit http://apellis.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X.
EEO Statement Apellis is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local fair employment practices laws. Apellis strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, marital status, AIDS/HIV status, smoker/nonsmoker, and occupational pneumoconiosis or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. For San Francisco postings: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
#J-18808-Ljbffr