The Human Resources Business Partner: Supporting Strategic Transitions in Canadian HR

Many Canadian organizations now recognize the human resources business partner (HRBP) as a valuable strategic and tactical role. However, HRBPs function in an arena of creative tension, and are subject to push from their individual business unit leaders who want particular programs to meet their specific business needs, and pull from centres of expertise that want to implement enterprise-wide solutions of behalf of HR. This briefing examines how Canadian organizations are using HRBPs today, and how to most effectively use them in the future.

Based on interviews with nine Canadian HR and operational executives from seven organizations, the briefing explores both the successes and challenges of using HRBPs as an element of a matrix HR model, with a view to providing advice and recommendations to senior HR professionals and organization executives in Canada.