VP / People Business Partner (HR)

What Cognite is: Relentless to achieve

Cognite operates at the forefront of industrial digitalization, building AI, and data solutions that solve the world’s hardest, highest-impact problems. With unmatched industrial heritage and a comprehensive suite of AI capabilities, including low-code AI agents, Cognite accelerates the digital transformation to drive operational improvements.

We thrive in challenges. We challenge assumptions. We execute with speed and ownership. If you view obstacles as signals to step forward - not backwards - you’ll feel right at home here.

Our Moonshot is bold: Unlock $100B in customer value by 2035, and redefine how global industry works. Join us in this venture where AI and data meet ingenuity, and together, we will forge the path to a smarter, more connected industrial future.

This role is based in Phoenix, Arizona, as part of Cognite’s Headquarters.

How you’ll demonstrate Ownership

About the role

The VP / People Business Partner for Global Product & Engineering will play a critical role in driving Cognite’s success as a trusted strategic advisor to the leadership teams of our Product Division. With an emphasis on scalability and maturing leadership capabilities, this role requires a high degree of business acumen, an understanding of complex change management, and the ability to build leadership capability across a fast-scaling global organization. You will work closely with senior leaders to build a cohesive talent strategy that aligns with Cognite’s long-term business objectives.

Tasks & responsibilities

Strategic Partnership & Leadership Development

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Cognite’s executive and senior leadership teams, focusing on strategic people needs that drive business success and growth.

• Coach leaders on their development needs, equipping leaders with the skills to navigate complexity, inspire teams, and drive impactful results.

• Identify leadership capability gaps and implement scalable solutions for building a high-performing leadership pipeline across the Product Division.

Change Management & Organizational Scaling

• Lead people-focused initiatives for the respective Product Division aligned with global strategies to support scaling Cognite’s teams, ensuring alignment with rapid business growth.

• Champion change management initiatives, helping teams transition smoothly to new operating models and adapt to Cognite’s evolving needs.

• Develop frameworks for talent planning, succession, and organizational effectiveness to support Cognite’s scalability and business continuity.

Organizational Development & Culture Building

• Collaborate with business units to strengthen Cognite’s culture, emphasizing ownership, impact, and relentless innovation.

• Build and oversee engagement programs that foster employee satisfaction, retention, and cultural alignment across global offices.

• Design and drive initiatives that support Cognite’s strategic focus on being a global, sustainable organization.

Data-Driven Talent Insights & Strategic Planning

• Use analytics to provide data-driven insights on workforce dynamics, leadership readiness, and team effectiveness.

• Support executive decision-making through data-backed insights, identifying trends and implementing proactive strategies for talent management.

• Develop KPIs and success metrics to monitor the impact of people initiatives on Cognite’s business objectives.

Talent Management & Succession Planning

• Build and drive a cohesive talent strategy that supports career development, succession planning, and leadership readiness.

• Partner with the People & Organization team to implement best-in-class frameworks that foster growth, adaptability, and performance.

The Impact you bring to Cognite

We believe most of these should match your experience

• 10+ years of progressive P&O/HR leadership experience, with at least 3–5 years at VP or Senior HR Leader level in a high-growth technology company.

• Demonstrated experience working across multiple organizational stages — from startup/scaleup environments through to larger, matrixed enterprise organizations.

• SaaS or B2B tech company experience is strongly preferred; familiarity with Customer Success, Sales, or Go-To-Market org structures is a plus.

• Experience supporting global, distributed teams across multiple time zones and geographies.

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MS in Organizational Psychology, or similar) or professional certification (SHRM-SCP, CIPD Level 7) preferred.

A snapshot of our many perks and benefits as a Cogniter

• 401(k) with employer matching

• Competitive health, dental, vision & disability coverages for employees and all dependents

• Unlimited PTO

• Paid mobile phone and WiFi

• Lunch of your choice at our offices

• Paid Parental Leave Program

• Employee Referral Program

Learn more about us

• Impact 2025

• Cognite's Industrial AI: Moonshot

• We’re globally recognized domain experts with an international presence that spans Phoenix, Houston, Oslo Tokyo, Bengaluru, and Abu Dhabi.

Equal Opportunity

Cognite is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment at work and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive the same level of consideration for employment.