Title: People Business Partner (HRBP)
Location: Austin, TX (hybrid)
Reports To: Director, People Business Partnerships
About Hippo
Hippo was built on a promise: make homeownership effortless. Nearly a decade later, that mission still drives us. We use technology and data to help our customers stay ahead of problems and protect what matters most.
Today, that same tech-native approach powers our work beyond homeowners. Hippo operates as a diversified carrier platform, partnering with MGAs to deliver tailored program solutions that help them grow and deliver better customer experiences. Behind that work is a team that values ownership, curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
If you're energized by building what's next, we'd love to meet you.
About You
You are a credible, independent People Business Partner who thrives in complex, cross-functional environments. You bring hands-on experience supporting product, underwriting, actuarial, business development, or other operational and strategic functions — and you know how to build credibility with subject-matter experts while still driving the fundamentals of great HR business partnering. You manage the full HRBP cycle without day-to-day oversight: diagnosing org health issues, navigating employee relations (ER) with sound judgment, and translating complex business problems into people solutions that land.
You're as comfortable partnering with an actuarial or underwriting leader on talent planning as you are coaching a manager through a difficult conversation or briefing senior leadership on engagement trends. You hold a high bar for consistency and confidentiality, and you build trust quickly — with technical experts and business leaders alike. A background in insurance, financial services, or another regulated industry is a strong plus, but what matters most is your ability to partner credibly with technical, fast-moving client groups and translate their priorities into people strategy.
What You’ll Do
- Serve as the primary People Business Partner to assigned stakeholders across Hippo's business lines and/or core functions, which may include product management, underwriting, actuarial, business development, and other enabling groups — advising leaders on org health, talent, performance, and workforce planning
- Translate complex business priorities (new product lines, portfolio growth, program partnerships) into people recommendations; anticipate people risks before they become operational problems and bring a clear point of view to leadership
- Coach managers across operational and business functions on performance management, difficult conversations, and team development with consistency and practical guidance
- Partner with L&D to strengthen manager and leadership effectiveness; connect managers to the right resources and close capability gaps within your client groups
- Drive culture and engagement within your client groups by identifying issues early, facilitating solutions, and tracking measurable progress
- Execute ER case management across Hippo from intake through resolution, with disciplined documentation and risk-aware judgment
- Advise managers on policy interpretation, conduct matters, and performance actions; ensure consistent and legally compliant application across client groups
- Partner with People Operations, Talent Acquisition, People Programs, and Total Rewards to deliver integrated people programs; interpret workforce data to surface trends and actionable recommendations for technical and business-facing teams
- Contribute to cross-functional People initiatives and support People leadership on enterprise priorities as needed
Must Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree a plus
- 5+ years of progressive HR Business Partner experience with demonstrated depth in employee relations and performance management
- Experience supporting technical, product, or business-development-oriented organizations preferred — comfort building credibility with subject-matter experts and translating technical priorities into people strategy
- Strong analytical capability; able to interpret workforce data, identify trends, and translate findings into clear recommendations
- Demonstrated ability to manage ER matters independently and in a consistent, risk-aware, and legally sound manner from intake through resolution
- Exceptional judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to build trust quickly with managers and leaders at all levels
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to advise with clarity and hold a position under pressure
- Insurance, financial services, banking, or a similarly regulated industry experience strongly preferred; familiarity with underwriting, actuarial, or portfolio/program management functions a plus
Nice to Haves
- Property & Casualty insurance experience
- Experience supporting actuarial, underwriting, reinsurance, or MGA/program business functions
- HR certifications a plus: SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or GPHR
Benefits and Perks
Hippo treats its team members with the same level of dedication and care as we do our customers, which is why we’re fortunate to provide all of our Hippos with:
- Healthy Hippos Benefits - Multiple medical plan options, 100% covered dental and vision for you and your family, and a wellness program that rewards healthy habits. We also offer a 401(k)-retirement plan, short & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Equity - This position is eligible for equity compensation
- Training and Career Growth - Training and internal career growth opportunities
- Flexible Time Off - You know when and how you should recharge
- Little Hippos Program - We offer 12 weeks of parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers
- Hippo Habitat - Snacks and drinks available and catered lunches for onsite employees
Hippo is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Hippo’s applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to an applicant’s disability or need for accommodation. Any Hippo applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact the Hippo’s People Team to make the need for an accommodation known.
