Recruiting & HR Business Partner

Who We Are

First Fed is a local community bank on an exciting growth trajectory with 15 locations including 11 full-service branches in Western Washington. First Fed was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Best Workplace and a Top Corporate Philanthropist. By popular vote, First Fed received 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.  

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 is a blended role that will focus partially on sourcing and partially on HR Business Partner work. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable sourcing new employees, coaching managers, leading employee relations matters, and driving initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness through talent management work. 

Essential Functions

Recruiting 

• Lead full-cycle sourcing activities for key or hard to fill positions. 

• Partner with hiring managers to develop recruitment strategies, workforce plans, and sourcing approaches.

• For roles that require sourcing, conduct intake meetings to understand position requirements, competencies, and business needs.

• Oversee and assist with job postings, screening criteria, and interview guides.

• Source candidates through programmatic and multiple channels including job boards, networking, employee referrals, social media, and community partnerships.

• Screen applicants, conduct interviews and coordinate hiring team participation.

• Draft & extend offers in partnership with HR team and hiring leaders.

• Support and backup pre-employment processes and onboarding coordination.

• Develop and maintain talent pipelines for critical and hard-to-fill positions.

• Track recruiting metrics including time-to-fill, quality of hire, source effectiveness, and candidate experience.

• Promote the organization as an employer of choice and support employment branding initiatives.

HR Business Partner Support 

• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to assigned business units and leaders.

• Provide guidance regarding HR policies, procedures, and employment practices.

• Coach managers on employee performance, accountability, engagement, and development.

• Assist with employee relations matters by conducting fact-finding, documenting concerns, and recommending solutions.

• Assist with change management initiatives and organizational communications.

• Promote consistent application of policies and employment practices while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Talent Management 

• Support succession planning, talent assessment, and performance management processes, including goal setting, development, and calibration to ensure consistency across business lines.

• Provide support for organizational capability gaps, support manager development, career pathing, and partner with leaders on hiring and mobility strategies.

• Support activities that promote employee engagement. 

Data, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate recruiting, employee relations and talent management records.

• Generate and analyze recruiting and workforce reports as needed.

• Utilize data to identify trends and recommendations impacting hiring and engagement.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High School Diploma required. Bachelor’s degree in human resources or commensurate experience preferred. HR certification preferred. 

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in recruiting and HR Business Partnership. 

• Experience advising leaders on employee relations, performance & talent management, and HR best practices required.

• Demonstrated success in sourcing hard to fill roles preferred. 

• Financial services or regulated industry experience preferred.

• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.

• Ability to build trusted relationships with leaders, employees, and candidates.

• Excellent interviewing, assessment, and talent evaluation skills.

• Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Experience utilizing HRIS, applicant tracking systems, and reporting tools.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

• Commitment to providing exceptional service to employees, candidates, and leaders.

• Exercises sound judgment by evaluating information, considering risks and impacts, and making thoughtful decisions that support organizational goals and values.

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 $80,200 - $122,444.61*
• The typical hiring range for this position is $80,200 - $90,915.12*
• The incentive plan for this position is the Partnership Incentive plan. It is paid out quarterly with a 5% target payout.
• 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 

*The pay range described above may vary depending on candidate location

As a community Bank, we know the power in bringing people together from all walks of life. Our communities are beautiful and strong because of their diversity, and it’s important to us that all of our locations reflect the unique diversity of the places we live and work. We are passionate about hiring the very best talent and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran

First Fed invites all qualified interested applicants to apply for our career opportunities.  If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our online job search or application tools, please email Human Resources  via [email protected] or call 360-460-2605.  Note: This contact information is reserved solely for job seekers requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the application process.  Messages left for other purposes may not receive a response.

We are required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor, and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.