HR Generalist

Job Title: HR Generalist
Location: Hillside, IL
Reports to: VP of HR & Special Operations

About the Role

The HR Generalist is a highly trusted, hands-on role responsible for executing and maintaining all core human resources operations across our client's portfolio of brands. This role serves as the primary point of contact for employees, ensures compliance across a complex multi-state environment, and plays a critical role in reinforcing our client's Culture with Intent.

This position acts as a direct representative of the VP of Human Resources. As such, the HR Generalist is expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, judgment, and integrity, recognizing that their words, actions, and decisions are an extension of HR leadership and the company's values.

Key Responsibilities

• Payroll, Timekeeping and HRIS Administration
  • Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and on time for employees across multiple states

  • Manage employee timecards, audits, corrections, and approvals

  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local wage and hour laws

  • Maintain accurate employee records within the HRIS, including:

    • PTO accruals and usage

    • Job and compensation changes

    • Personal data updates

  • Generate and maintain HR reports related to headcount, PTO, payroll, turnover, and compliance metrics
  • Partner with Finance and HR leadership on reconciliations and reporting
• Benefits Administration & Open Enrollment
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits questions, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA/HSA, and retirement plans
  • Support planning, communication, and execution of annual open enrollment

  • Manage benefits onboarding and offboarding

  • Liaise with benefits brokers and vendors to resolve employee issues

  • Ensure benefits administration complies with applicable laws and plan requirements
• Onboarding and Offboarding
  • Manage the full employee lifecycle onboarding process, including:

    • New hire documentation and system setup

    • Orientation coordination

    • I-9 and compliance verification

  • Coordinate offboarding processes, including:

    • Termination documentation

    • Benefits transitions (COBRA)

    • Final pay coordination

    • Exit interviews

  • Ensure a consistent, compliant, and professional employee experience across all brands and locations
• Employee Relations & Manager Partnership
  • Serve as a trusted, professional, and approachable HR resource for employees across all brands
  • Address and resolve employee questions related to policies, benefits, payroll, leave, and performance
  • Manage employee relations matters, including:

    • Workplace concerns and complaints

    • Investigations

    • Performance issues

    • Policy interpretations and enforcement

  • Coach and support managers on:

    • Performance management

    • Documentation standards

    • Progressive discipline

    • Proper escalation of employee issues

  • Escalate sensitive or high-risk matters to the VP of HR as appropriate

• Performance Management

  • Coordinate company-wide performance review cycles

  • Partner with managers to ensure evaluations are completed accurately and on time
  • Track completion, maintain records, and support consistency in performance documentation
  • Assist leadership in reinforcing ongoing feedback and development expectations
• Policy Development & Compliance
  • Draft, update, and maintain:

    • Employee handbook policies

    • State-specific policy addendums

    • HR procedures and forms

  • Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws across 20+ states

  • Support audits, investigations, and documentation requests

  • Interpret and apply policies consistently across brands and employee populations
• Culture with Intent & Employee Engagement
  • Act as a steward of our client's Culture with Intent, reinforcing core values through:

    • Onboarding touchpoints

    • Employee communications

    • Recognition initiatives

    • Open-door practices

  • Support company-wide engagement initiatives, wellness activities, and employee events
  • Partner with leadership to ensure culture initiatives are executed consistently across brands and locations
• Office Administration and Operational Support
  • Coordinate office administrative tasks, including:

    • Ordering supplies

    • Coordinating lunches and meetings

    • Supporting company events and gatherings

  • Assist with company-wide announcements and internal communications

  • Support day-to-day operational needs of the HR function

• HR Leadership Representation and Professional Standards
  • Act as a direct representative of the VP of Human Resources to employees, managers, and external partners
  • Uphold the highest standards of:

    • Professionalism

    • Confidentiality

    • Ethical judgment

    • Consistency and fairness

  • Communicate with clarity, discretion, and authority, recognizing that this role serves as an extension of HR leadership
  • Exercise sound judgment in all employee interactions and HR decisions

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred 3–5+ years of HR Generalist experience, preferably in a multi-state environment
• Demonstrated experience in:

  • Payroll processing

  • Benefits administration

  • HRIS management

  • Employee relations

• Strong knowledge of employment laws and compliance requirements

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and time-management skills

• High level of discretion and professionalism

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, growing organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting multiple brands or business units

• Experience in high-growth or M&A environments

• Strong HR reporting and analytical skills