HR Business Partner (Operations)

Summary Southern Company Services (SCS) is seeking a consultative HR Business Partner to support our Operations organization based in Birmingham, AL. This role sits within the HR Delivery model and serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to business leaders in a dynamic, evolving environment. We are looking for an HR professional with at least 3–5 years of progressive experience who can move beyond transactional HR and operate with a solutions-oriented, forward-thinking mindset . The ideal candidate brings intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a willingness to challenge conventional approaches to deliver meaningful business outcomes. This role is best suited for someone who thrives in growth and change , values collaboration, and is energized by working as part of a highly consultative HR team supporting a complex, operations-driven business. At Southern Company Operations, our work has a direct impact on the lives of millions of people. From generating reliable electricity to maintaining critical transmission infrastructure, our employees help keep homes, businesses, schools, and communities connected and powered. Our teams operate one of the largest and most diverse energy portfolios in the nation, supporting customers with reliable power while advancing new technologies and cleaner energy solutions.

Serve as a strategic HR partner to leaders, providing guidance on organizational effectiveness, workforce strategy, and people-related decisions Build strong, credible relationships and influence at multiple levels of the organization through thoughtful consultation and insight Assess business needs, diagnose root causes, and deliver practical, data-informed HR solutions aligned with operational priorities Partner on workforce planning, succession strategy, and talent pipelines to support both near- and long-term business needs Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on employee relations, performance management, and change leadership Lead and support initiatives tied to organizational change, team effectiveness, and business transformation Collaborate closely with HR Centers of Excellence to ensure alignment and effective delivery of HR programs and services Identify opportunities to enhance HR impact by leveraging trends, metrics, and external insights Contribute to a culture of safety, inclusion, integrity, and high performance consistent with Southern Company values Qualifications Education & Certifications Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred Advanced degree or HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR) is a plus Experience 3–5+ years of progressive HR experience , with a strong preference for HR Business Partner or consultative roles; however, open to an experienced HR generalist with the potential, ability, and desire to grow into a consultative role Demonstrated experience supporting leaders in a complex or operations-based environment (energy, utilities, manufacturing, etc.) preferred Proven ability to influence decision-making and navigate ambiguous or evolving business needs Experience with workforce planning, organizational change, and HR project implementation preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Broad knowledge across HR disciplines, including employee relations, talent management, workforce planning, and compliance Strong consulting and problem-solving capability , with the ability to think beyond standard approaches Out-of-the-box thinker who can translate business challenges into innovative, actionable HR solutions Effective communicator with strong facilitation, coaching, and interpersonal skills Ability to manage competing priorities and operate with flexibility in a changing environment High level of professional judgment, discretion, and accountability What Sets This Role Apart Opportunity to operate as a true HR consultant , not just a functional resource Direct partnership with leaders in a business that is