Sr. Director, People and Culture Business Partner - Contract to Hire

Job Title: Sr.  Director, People & Culture Business Partner 
Department: People & Culture 
Location: Princeton, NJ (On-site 4 days/week) 
Reports To: VP, People & Culture

Job Overview 

Kardigan is seeking an experienced and strategic Sr. Director, People & Culture Business Partner to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across multiple functions and lead People & Culture initiatives at our Princeton, NJ site. This role will be instrumental in shaping and executing workforce strategies that align with Kardigan’s mission and values, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and purpose-driven culture. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Serve as the People & Culture Business Partner for Kardigan’s Princeton location, ensuring alignment with company-wide People & Culture strategies and values. 

• Act as a strategic business partner to senior leaders across Development, Technical Operations, and other functions, providing guidance on organizational design, talent strategy, and change management. 

• Lead partner with P&C site leader on workforce planning efforts, including headcount forecasting, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. 

• Drive initiatives that support employee engagement, performance management, and leadership development. 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of People & Culture programs and policies. 

• Champion Kardigan’s values and culture, fostering an environment of authenticity, collaboration, and continuous learning. 

• Provide coaching and counsel to leaders and managers on team dynamics, employee relations, performance, and development. 

• Partner with People & Culture centers of excellence including Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, and Learning & Development to support Kardigan’s growth and employee experience. 

Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field preferred. 

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a strategic business partner role supporting senior leadership. Experience in Biotech/Pharma is highly desirable. 

• Proven experience in workforce planning, employee relations, and organizational development. 

• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence and build trust across all levels of the organization. 

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment. 

• Passion for building inclusive, mission-driven cultures that prioritize patients and people.