Danaher logo

Vice President, Human Resources and Internal Communications

Danaher
Full-time
On-site
San Jose, California, United States

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Vice President, Human Resources and Internal Communications

πŸ”Ή Company: Danaher

πŸ”Ή Location: San Jose, California, United States; Indianapolis, Indiana, United States; Miami, Florida, United States; Loveland, Colorado, United States

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-Time

πŸ”Ή Category: Human Resources

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: April 8, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 10+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: Hybrid

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Strategic leadership of all aspects of HR management
  • Driving organizational capabilities and effectiveness
  • Talent acquisition, development, engagement, and internal communications
  • Global team management and collaboration
  • Cross-functional partnership with senior executives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a broad understanding of human resources and the ability to work effectively in a global, multi-site organization.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Lead all aspects of HR management and drive organizational capabilities and effectiveness

βœ… Provide strategic direction for talent acquisition, development, engagement, and internal communications

βœ… Partner with senior executives to achieve business objectives and drive results

βœ… Manage a global team of HR professionals and provide day-to-day support and strategic guidance

βœ… Coordinate and implement processes, policies, and programs regarding talent acquisition, organizational development, talent development, associate engagement, immersion/on-boarding, succession planning, retention, management training, associate compensation and wellbeing, and internal communications

βœ… Serve as a thought leader and visionary in advancing organizational capabilities and effectiveness

βœ… Assist in the planning and development of appropriate organizational alignment and structures, architecture, and support systems to enhance the company’s ongoing growth opportunities and objectives

βœ… Focus on developing a strong associate engagement program that facilitates open communication with leadership, advancement of the associate value proposition, and educates associates on how they contribute to enterprise-wide goals

βœ… Develop and implement a long-term, integrated talent strategy ensuring that the business has the talent at all levels necessary to grow aggressively

βœ… Strengthen HR-related compliance processes, lead as a pro-active advocate for ethics and compliance within the company, and drive education, process improvements, audits, and investigations as appropriate

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree, MBA preferred

Experience: Minimum 15 years of human resource experience, including six years leading geographically dispersed teams

Required Skills:

  • Proven strategic human resource business partner experience
  • Experience leading a global HR function in a highly commercial, highly dispersed organization
  • Strong leadership, influencing, and relationship management skills
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Proven ability to challenge senior leaders and drive results through direct ownership and partnering/influencing
  • Strong business acumen and understanding of full P&L functions
  • Familiarity with lean/continuous improvement environments and global, multi-site growth-oriented companies

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience in the life sciences or medical equipment manufacturing industries
  • Fluency in multiple languages
  • Experience working with a global matrix reporting environment

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a broad understanding of and appreciation for the technical and functional components of human resources and be a recognized HR executive with demonstrated success in creating high-performance business cultures.

πŸ’° 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: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the role, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Medical Equipment Manufacturing

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1969

Company Description:

  • Danaher is a leading global life sciences and diagnostics innovator, committed to accelerating the power of science and technology to improve human health
  • The company partners with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life
  • Danaher’s global teams are pioneering what’s next across Life Sciences, Diagnostics, Biotechnology, and beyond

Company Specialties:

  • Life Sciences
  • Diagnostics
  • and Biotechnology

Company Website: www.danaher.com

ASSUMPTION: Danaher is a large, global company with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Executive

Reporting Structure: Direct report to the President, with matrix reporting to other executive management

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with up to 50% international travel required

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential progression to a senior HR leadership role within the Danaher organization
  • Opportunities to work on high-impact, strategic projects that drive business growth
  • Exposure to a global, multi-site organization with a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a significant impact on the organization’s success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (combination of on-site and remote work)

Office Location(s): San Jose, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; Miami, Florida; Loveland, Colorado

Geographic Context:

  • San Jose, California: Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, with a vibrant tech industry and a diverse population
  • Indianapolis, Indiana: Known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and a growing tech industry
  • Miami, Florida: A major hub for international business, finance, and tourism, with a diverse population and a tropical climate
  • Loveland, Colorado: A small city with a strong outdoor recreation culture, located near the Rocky Mountain National Park

Work Schedule: Flexible, with the ability to work remotely as needed

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and flexible work schedule offer a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application submission
  • Phone or video screening
  • In-depth behavioral and situational interviews
  • Final round interviews with senior leadership
  • Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving
  • Leadership and team management skills
  • Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Danaher’s core values

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant HR experience and accomplishments
  • Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
  • Research Danaher’s company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit
  • Be prepared to discuss your experience with global, multi-site organizations and your ability to manage geographically dispersed teams

ATS Keywords: Human Resources, Strategic Planning, Global Team Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Internal Communications, Change Management, Organizational Development, Succession Planning

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing your strategic thinking, leadership, and cultural fit for the role.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • HRIS systems (e.g., Workday, SAP SuccessFactors)
  • Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant HR technologies and tools is required for this role.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • The Best Team Wins: Exceptional people thrive in Danaher’s fast-paced, results-oriented work environment
  • Innovation Defines Our Future: We are empowered and encouraged to challenge ourselves and each other, and to take balanced risks to advance innovation
  • Customers Talk, We Listen: Our customer-centric focus drives us to create innovative solutions that directly address customer needs
  • Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) is Our Way of Life: We constantly strive to do better, setting the bar high for ourselves and each other
  • We Compete for Shareholders: Our track record of financial success enables us to continually invest back into our businesses and our team

Work Style:

  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
  • Innovative and open to new ideas
  • Customer-centric and focused on delivering exceptional customer experiences

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • How do you align with Danaher’s core values, particularly β€œThe Best Team Wins” and β€œInnovation Defines Our Future”?
  • How do you approach continuous improvement and driving results in a fast-paced, results-oriented work environment?
  • How do you balance collaboration and innovation with a focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences?

ASSUMPTION: Danaher values candidates who are strong cultural fits, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing a global team with geographically dispersed members
  • Balancing strategic planning and day-to-day HR operations
  • Navigating a matrix reporting structure and collaborating effectively with senior leadership
  • Driving change and managing resistance to change within the organization
  • Keeping up with the latest HR trends and best practices in a rapidly evolving industry

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role is unique in its focus on both human resources and internal communications, requiring a strong strategic thinker with a broad understanding of HR and business operations
  • Compared to other HR leadership roles, this position offers a broader scope of responsibilities and the opportunity to drive significant organizational impact
  • This role may require more frequent international travel than other HR leadership positions, given Danaher’s global presence

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity for an experienced HR leader to drive significant organizational impact and make a lasting contribution to Danaher’s success.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and implementing a global talent acquisition strategy to support Danaher’s growth objectives
  • Leading a cross-functional team to redesign Danaher’s performance management process to drive improved employee engagement and performance
  • Partnering with senior leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive succession planning strategy to ensure business continuity and support Danaher’s long-term growth goals

ASSUMPTION: These projects require strong leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • How does the company support the professional development and growth of its HR team members?
  • What are the biggest challenges facing the HR function at Danaher, and how can this role help address them?
  • How does the company measure and track HR metrics to drive continuous improvement and ensure HR’s strategic alignment with business objectives?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how can I best support the new President in driving success?
  • How does the company foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within its HR function?

ASSUMPTION: These questions will help you better understand the role’s priorities, the company’s HR culture, and how you can make a meaningful impact in your first 90 days.

πŸ“Œ 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 accomplishments, with a focus on strategic planning, leadership, and change management
  • Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills
  • Research Danaher’s company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit
  • Be prepared to discuss your experience with global, multi-site organizations and your ability to manage geographically dispersed teams
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.