HR Business Partner

As a HR Business Partner, you will support the day-to-day HR operations and provide guidance on key HR matters, including employee relations, compliance, and HR policy execution. You will play a key role in implementing and contributing to HR programs and initiatives across the organization, managing processes within Workday’s HRIS system, and ensuring the smooth administration of core HR programs. In addition to your focus on HR programs and initiatives, you will also provide valuable support to our Business Operations function, helping to align HR strategies with broader business objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional looking to develop their expertise business partnering.

Who we are: 
Optiver is a tech-driven trading firm and leading global market maker. As one of the oldest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe. Our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilising force no matter the market conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.

Optiver Chicago’s culture parallels the energetic city we’re immersed in. Home to the Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago has established itself as the trading capital of the US. Active on leading US exchanges, Optiver’s Chicago office trades a wide range of products from listed derivatives to cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign exchange.

What you’ll do:

• Business Partnership: Establish strong partnerships with the business operations department to understand their strategic objectives, challenges, and talent needs. Proactively provide guidance and support on HR matters to drive the achievement of business goals. Partner with managers to identify high-potential employees, develop succession plans, and support career development initiatives.
• Performance Management: Guide managers on performance management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, feedback, and development plans across the business. Help establish a culture of continuous feedback and coaching to drive employee growth and development.
• Employee Relations: Provide guidance and support on employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and investigations across the business. Ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations, working with legal teams as necessary.
• HR Analytics and Reporting: Utilize HR data and analytics to identify trends, insights, and opportunities for improvement. Prepare reports and presentations for leaders, highlighting key HR metrics and recommending action plans. Leverage local data experts to develop analytics.
• Employee Engagement: Support local and global initiatives to enhance employee engagement and overall employee experience. Foster a positive work environment and culture that aligns with the organization’s values.
• Contribute to HR Operations: Execute a wide range of HR programs and initiatives, including merit and bonus processes, employee transfers, leave management, and first-year performance feedback loops, leveraging Workday’s global HRIS system to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Onboarding & Offboarding Programs: Support and manage the onboarding and offboarding check-in programs, including conducting regular HR check-ins with new hires and exit interviews with departing employees to ensure a smooth transition, gathering feedback, and identifying areas for improvement in the employee experience.
• Separation Process Management: Manage employee terminations, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and internal policies.
• Employee Support & Point of Contact: Serve as a point of contact for employees, addressing HR-related inquiries, complaints, and providing guidance on performance management, employee relations, and HR policies.

Who you are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years of professional HR experience, preferably that spans a wide array of HR functional areas.
• Strong understanding of HR principles, practices, and employment laws.
• Proven ability to manage projects from initiation to execution, with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including negotiation and persuasion abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with Atlassian and Workday a plus.

What you’ll get:

• Work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• Performance based bonus structure that is unmatched anywhere in the industry. We combine our profits across desks, teams and offices into a global profit pool fostering a truly collaborative environment to work in.
• Ownership over initiatives that directly solve business problems.  

Alongside this, you will get great other benefits such as 25 paid vacation days and market holidays, fully paid commuting expenses and health insurance, daily breakfast and lunch, training opportunities, 401(k) match up to 50% and charitable match opportunities, regular social events and clubs, and many more.

At Optiver, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Optiver recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.