📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Vice President, Human Resources and Internal Communications
🔹 Company: Beckman Coulter Life Sciences
🔹 Location: San Jose, California, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Biotechnology Research
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic leadership of all HR management functions
- Driving organizational capabilities and effectiveness
- Thought leadership and visionary approach to HR
- Close collaboration with the President and senior executives
- Global team management and development
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a broad understanding of HR functions and the ability to work effectively in a global, multi-site organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the strategic direction of HR management to meet business objectives
✅ Develop and implement HR programs and metrics to improve organizational effectiveness
✅ Champion Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ values and culture
✅ Lead the internal communications strategy for the company
✅ Manage key HR KPIs and metrics
✅ Lead the engagement survey process and actions to improve associate engagement
✅ Advocate for associates when leaders make business decisions that impact them
✅ Lead organizational reviews to evaluate structure, competency, knowledge, and talent gaps
✅ Drive a talent acquisition and management strategy that integrates succession planning
✅ Develop and manage a comprehensive total rewards strategy
✅ Develop and lead programs pertaining to associate development and leadership
✅ Manage a global team of HR professionals providing day-to-day support and strategic guidance
✅ Partner with Marketing on company branding and employer perception
ASSUMPION: The successful candidate will be able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and have a strong understanding of business operations.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Undergraduate degree, MBA preferred
Experience: 15+ years of HR experience, including 6+ years leading geographically dispersed teams
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in organizational development and design
- Strong organizational, analytical, and management skills
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing, written/oral communication skills
- Familiarity with lean principles and process improvement
- Customer service orientation
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in a global, multi-site growth-oriented company
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in a highly commercial, highly dispersed organization and be a proven strategic HR business partner.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $230,000 to $380,000 per year
Benefits:
- Paid Time Off
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k)
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. The actual salary may vary based on the company's internal compensation structure and the candidate's qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Biotechnology Research, with a focus on scientific research, patient care, and precision manufacturing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees, with a global presence and a strong commitment to innovation and customer-centricity
Founded: 1935, with a rich history in scientific discovery and technological advancement
Company Description:
- Leading the way since 1935, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences accelerates answers in scientific research, patient care, and precision manufacturing
- With a relentless mission to empower those seeking answers to life’s important scientific questions, the company provides automation and innovation solutions for Centrifugation, Flow Cytometry, Genomics, Particle Analysis, and Liquid Handling workflows
- Beckman Coulter Life Sciences is a preferred laboratory partner, reducing manual laboratory processes and providing greater speed, accuracy, and advanced analytics to accelerate answers and improve patient care
Company Specialties:
- Flow cytometry
- Automated liquid handling
- Genomic reagents
- Centrifugation
- Particle counting
- Consumables and reagents
- Clinical flow cytometry
- Research flow cytometry
- Laser diffraction and particle size analysis
Company Website: www.beckman.com
ASSUMPTION: Beckman Coulter Life Sciences is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the biotechnology research industry, known for its commitment to innovation and customer-centric approach.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Executive, with the opportunity to make a significant impact on the organization's HR strategy and operations
Reporting Structure: Direct report to the President, with matrix reporting to other senior executives as needed
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the expectation of traveling internationally up to 50% of the time
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance within the HR leadership team as the company continues to grow and expand
- Opportunities to gain exposure to various aspects of the business and contribute to strategic decision-making
- Chance to develop and implement innovative HR programs that drive business results
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally in this role, with the potential to take on additional responsibilities as the company continues to evolve.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with multiple global locations
Office Location(s): San Jose, California, United States
Geographic Context:
- San Jose, California, is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, with a thriving tech industry and a diverse population
- The region offers a mild Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters
- San Jose is well-connected by major highways and has an international airport, making it easily accessible for both local and international travel
Work Schedule: Full-time, with the expectation of working additional hours as needed to meet business demands
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be able to adapt to changing priorities and workloads.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual interviews with HR and hiring managers
- Final interviews with senior leadership
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
- Technical HR knowledge and expertise
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant HR experience and skills
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to HR strategy, program development, and metrics-driven decision-making
- Demonstrate your ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Showcase your experience working in a global, multi-site organization and your familiarity with lean principles and process improvement
ATS Keywords: Human Resources, Strategic Planning, Organizational Development, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Succession Planning, Change Management, Employee Engagement, Internal Communications, Global Team Management
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership skills, and cultural fit, as well as their technical HR expertise.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- HR Information Systems (e.g., Workday, BambooHR, UltiPro)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be proficient in using various HR technologies and tools to streamline processes and improve HR efficiency.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- The Best Team Wins
- Innovation Defines Our Future
- Customers Talk, We Listen
- Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) is Our Way of Life
- We Compete for Shareholders
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and action-oriented
- Adaptable and resilient
- Customer-focused and customer-centric
- Innovative and forward-thinking
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ values, particularly 'The Best Team Wins' and 'Innovation Defines Our Future'?
- How do you ensure open and effective communication with leadership and associates, as emphasized in 'Customers Talk, We Listen'?
- How do you approach continuous improvement and process optimization, as highlighted in 'Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) is Our Way of Life'?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be a strong cultural fit, with a deep understanding of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ values and a commitment to driving results through collaboration and innovation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a global team with diverse perspectives and time zones
- Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day HR operations
- Navigating a fast-paced, dynamic work environment
- Adapting to changing business priorities and organizational structures
- Ensuring compliance with HR regulations and best practices in a global context
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to overcome these challenges by leveraging their strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other HR roles, this position requires a strong balance between strategic leadership and hands-on execution
- This role offers the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and drive significant organizational change
- Compared to other HR roles, this position offers a higher degree of autonomy and influence over HR strategy and operations
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience in a similar role or be able to demonstrate transferable skills that enable them to excel in this unique position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new HR information system to streamline processes and improve data accuracy
- Conducting a comprehensive review of the organization's structure, competency, knowledge, and talent gaps, and developing strategies to address them
- Designing and implementing a new compensation and benefits structure to attract, retain, and motivate top talent
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have experience in similar projects and be able to apply their knowledge and skills to drive meaningful results in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its HR team members?
- What are the key priorities for the HR team in the first 90 days, and how can I contribute to achieving them?
- How does the company approach succession planning and talent development for key roles?
- What are the most significant HR challenges facing the company, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the company foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in HR?
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will ask insightful questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role and their commitment to driving results.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant HR experience and skills
- Prepare for interviews by researching the company, its industry, and the specific HR challenges it faces
- Be ready to discuss your approach to HR strategy, program development, and metrics-driven decision-making
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of your interview to reiterate your interest in the role and address any remaining questions
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
