People Partner, Business Functions

This role is a hybrid position. 

This position is considered hybrid, allowing for a combination of remote work and in-office collaboration. Qualified applicants must live within commuting distance of our Santa Barbara, CA or Boston, MA office location to be in office 3 times per week.

#LI-Hybrid

As a People Partner (IC3) supporting within the Business functions, including G&A + Commercial, you will play a key role in supporting managers and employees.

In this role, you will work closely with People Partners and business leaders, contributing to core People team initiatives, advising managers on people-related matters, and ensuring smooth execution of People programs. You will also partner with the Centers of Excellence (COEs) across the People function, including Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits, Talent & DEI, and Employee Relations.

What You’ll Do:People Partnering & Business Support

• Partner with managers and employees to provide guidance on key people-related topics, including performance management, talent development, and engagement.

• Develop strong relationships with managers within the Business functions, building trust and credibility as a People advisor.

• In collaboration with your manager, support managers in translating business goals into people strategies, ensuring alignment with functional and company priorities.

• Provide effective coaching and feedback to managers and leaders to promote leadership growth.

People Program Implementation & Execution

• Collaborate with People COEs to implement company-wide People programs and initiatives.

• Provide input and business context to ensure People programs meet the needs of the teams you support.

• Drive the adoption and success of key People processes, such as talent reviews, engagement initiatives, and performance management cycles.

Coaching & Employee Relations

• Provide initial support to managers and employees, escalating complex issues to senior People Partners or Employee Relations as appropriate.

• Deliver constructive coaching to managers and leaders to support their growth and decision-making.

• Apply effective conflict resolution skills with a focus on productive outcomes.

• Support managers in handling performance management processes, including goal setting, documentation, feedback conversations, and termination procedures in compliance with applicable laws and policies.

• Act as a resource for employees, offering guidance on policies, career development, and workplace concerns.

Operational & Process Excellence

• Ensure efficient execution of People processes and workflows, collaborating across teams to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Demonstrate knowledge of relevant employment laws, regulations, and company policies, including but not limited to ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and employee relations management.

• Partner with Finance and Talent Acquisition on headcount management, organizational needs, and workforce planning.

• Collaborate with People Operations and Shared Services to manage routine People tasks and resolve escalations.

• Utilize People data and metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement, providing insights on attrition, engagement, performance trends, and organizational health.

What You’ll Need:Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a People generalist, business partner, or specialist role, with exposure to areas such as employee relations, talent management, performance management, or compensation.

• Knowledge of People principles, labor laws, and HR best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to coach managers, influence without authority, and build trust quickly.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.

• A growth mindset with a willingness to learn, take on new challenges, and develop expertise in the People Partner function.

• Experience with using People data and analytics to provide insights and support decision-making.

Key Competencies

• Business Acumen: Understanding of the G&A + Sales and Marketing (Commercial) organization’s goals, priorities, and how People can support business success.

• Communication & Coaching: Strong interpersonal skills, ability to adapt communication styles, and provide actionable guidance to managers and employees.

• People Acumen & Risk Awareness: Knowledge of key People concepts and compliance requirements, with the ability to balance employee experience and business needs.

• Operational Execution: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to drive initiatives to completion in collaboration with others.

• Collaboration & Growth Orientation: Ability to work effectively with senior People Partners, COEs, and business leaders while demonstrating a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't meet all the criteria. If you don’t have 100% of the skills listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if interested.

Visa Sponsorship: Sonos is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role at this time. We ask that applicants be authorized to work for any US employer, both now and in the future.

At Sonos we consider a wide range of factors when determining compensation, which may lead  individual compensation to vary depending on job related qualifications, skills, and experience.  All full time employees are eligible for merit increases, discretionary bonuses, and equity.  Our job postings may span more than one career level and the base pay range may be modified in the future based on changing market conditions. The starting base pay for this role for all US candidates is between:

$87,000 and $108,400

Please note that compensation details listed in US job postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.