Senior HR Business Partner
About Aquarian
Aquarian Holdings ("Aquarian") is a diversified global holding company with a strategic portfolio of insurance and asset management solutions.
Aquarian Insurance Holdings acquires and operates insurance companies with a focus on life and annuity underwriting, deploying strategies to grow balance sheet profitability by writing new insurance/reinsurance, improving investment income, and optimizing operations. After launching in 2017, Aquarian finalized its first investment in 2018 in Investors Heritage, a regional life insurer domiciled in Kentucky that focuses on pre-need policies. Working closely with management, Aquarian helped the company grow with expanded product offerings and distribution channels, building on its 60-year track record of exceptional client service.
Aquarian continued to deepen its expertise and grow its existing offerings in insurance and reinsurance through its acquisitions of Hudson Life and Annuity Company in 2021 and Somerset Re in 2022.
Aquarian Investments complements the insurance operations , combining best practices from the world’s leading financial services firms with its own distinct strategy, approach, and organizational culture. Aquarian has continued to expand into alternative assets and private credit through the launches of Aquarian Liquid Credit, Aquarian Strategic Opportunities, Aquarian Private Credit, and Aquarian Real Estate Partners.
Aquarian has since grown its business to approximately $25.8 billion in AUM, with 40 investment professionals, multiple funds, and insurance and reinsurance companies, all committed to providing meaningful investment opportunities to millions of people.
In November 2025, Aquarian announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which an affiliate will acquire Brighthouse Financial in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $4.1 billion. Brighthouse is one of the largest providers of annuities and life insurance in the U.S., with approximately $208 billion of AUM. Following the anticipated close of the transaction in 2026, Brighthouse Financial will operate as a standalone entity within the Aquarian portfolio.
Role Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior HR Business Partner to join our team. In this strategic role, you will collaborate with business leaders to drive HR initiatives aligned with our organizational goals. You will be responsible for fostering a culture of high performance, employee engagement, and continuous improvement within our workforce.
This position is onsite 5 days a week at our New York City office.
Key Responsibilities:
Collaborate with senior leadership of Holdings company to develop and implement HR strategies that support business objectives and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Oversee talent development, and retention strategies to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled professionals in line with business needs.
Shape HR policies and processes to scale with the organization-streamlining workflows and enhancing the employee experience.
Advise on org design, team structure, leadership capability, succession planning, and talent development.
Drive performance management, including evaluation frameworks, calibration sessions, and development roadmaps.
Act as a trusted advisor on employee relations matters, providing guidance on performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary.
Support organizational change initiatives by providing HR expertise and facilitating communication to ensure smooth transitions.
Design and implement performance management processes that drive accountability, development, and alignment with business goals.
Ensure compliance with labor laws, regulations, and internal policies, while mitigating risks related to HR practices.
Utilize HR analytics to provide data-driven insights and recommendations to senior leaders on workforce trends and organizational health.
Demonstrate a strong attention to detail, analytical rigor, and the fortitude to implement change and follow through across functions.
Exhibit the comfort to probe thoughtfully and the ability to synthesize complex information with a threshold-level understanding of both business strategy and workforce dynamics.
Qualifications:
Strong understanding of HR best practices, labor laws, and regulatory requirements in financial services.
Proven ability to influence and build relationships with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, spot trends, and develop actionable solutions.
Attention to detail and fortitude to implement initiatives with consistency and accountability.
Comfort probing for clarity and surfacing organizational issues, paired with the fortitude to push back where needed.
Understanding of organizational development and design, with the ability to apply frameworks to real-time business problems.
Experience in managing complex employee relations issues and change management processes.
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive HR experience, with a focus on business partnering in the financial services sector.
Aquarian is an equal opportunity employer. Aquarian is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience and unique perspectives. Aquarian does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, mental or physical handicap or disability, age, citizenship status, alienage, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other criteria prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. Aquarian makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.