Human Resource Generalist

United Way of the Bluegrass Inc; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

HSA/FSA options

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee assistance

Professional development

Job summary

United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG) seeks a hands-on HR Generalist to manage day-to-day HR administration, including recruiting, onboarding, benefits, employee relations, compliance, records, and offboarding. This role reports to the President & CEO and offers ownership across the full employee lifecycle in a mission-driven organization.

The position requires a Bachelor's in HR or related field, 2–4 years of HR generalist experience, and knowledge of federal and Kentucky employment laws;

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2 to 4 years of progressive HR generalist experience.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal and Kentucky employment law and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience with an HRIS platform; Paylocity experience preferred.
• Demonstrated discretion with confidential information and sound, independent judgment.
• Comfortable serving as the organization's sole in-house HR professional, with the maturity to know when to elevate.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations & Compliance: be the first point of contact for policy, benefits, and workplace concerns; manage compliance calendar.
• Recruiting & Onboarding: handle full-cycle recruiting, postings, screening, interviews, and onboarding paperwork.
• Benefits Administration: administer annual open enrollment; liaise with benefits carriers; manage COBRA notices.
• HRIS, Records & Payroll Support: act as Paylocity administrator; maintain records; process status changes; support payroll accuracy.
• Offboarding: execute standardized offboarding checklist and confirm completion in writing.

Skills

Employee Relations

Compliance

Recruiting

Onboarding

Benefits Administration

HRIS

Payroll

Offboarding

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business or related field

PHR or SHRM-CP preferred

Tools

Paylocity

Job description

Description

United Way of the Bluegrass (UWBG) works to create the opportunity for all members of our community to have a better life. We focus on the building blocks of a good life — a quality education, financial stability for individuals and families, and good health. The work of UWBG focuses on strategic initiatives, public education, advocacy, outcomes and evaluation, development, and strengthening of partnerships/collaborations, convening, resource mobilization and investment as well as backbone and engagement strategies and activities. We bring together the voices, the expertise, and the resources to define, articulate and implement a common agenda for change for our region. That is what it means to "Live United" in Central Kentucky.

POSITION

The HR Generalist serves as United Way of the Bluegrass's primary human resources professional, responsible for the full range of day-to-day HR administration — recruiting and onboarding, benefits administration, employee relations, compliance, records management, and offboarding. This is a hands‑on, generalist role reporting directly to the President & CEO, well suited to an HR professional who enjoys ownership across the full employee lifecycle in a mission-driven organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Serve as the first point of contact for employee questions regarding policy, benefits, and workplace concerns, escalating complaints or legal matters promptly.
• Maintain the organization's compliance calendar, including required filings, renewals, and trainings.
• Apply HR policy consistently across the organization and flag any gap or inconsistency in written policy.

Recruiting & Onboarding

• Manage full-cycle recruiting for open positions, including posting, applicant screening, and interview coordination.
• Prepare offer letters and coordinate new-hire onboarding, including required paperwork and orientation scheduling.

Benefits Administration

• Administer annual open enrollment and process qualifying life-event changes.
• Serve as the organization's primary point of contact with benefits carriers.
• Process COBRA notices within required statutory timeframes for every qualifying event, without exception.

HRIS, Records & Payroll Support

• Serve as the Paylocity administrator for HR modules, maintaining accurate, current, and complete personnel records.
• Process employment status changes (hires, terminations, transfers) in the HRIS within 24 hours of the effective date.
• Partner with Finance to verify payroll accuracy, particularly around new hires, separations, and leave status changes.

Offboarding

• Execute a standardized offboarding checklist for every separation, covering HRIS termination processing, benefits termination, COBRA notice, equipment return, and access revocation.
• Confirm completion of each offboarding step in writing before a separation file is closed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No

CORE UNITED WAY COMPETENCIES

• MISSION-FOCUSED - A top priority is to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This competency drives performance and professional motivation.
• RELATIONSHIP ORIENTED - Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• COLLABORATOR - Understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• RESULTS-DRIVEN - Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good, creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
• BRAND STEWARD - A steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2 to 4 years of progressive HR generalist experience.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal and Kentucky employment law and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience with an HRIS platform; Paylocity experience preferred.
• Demonstrated discretion with confidential information and sound, independent judgment.
• Comfortable serving as the organization's sole in-house HR professional, with the maturity to know when to elevate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment, computers, phones, and digital communications platforms. The role requires frequent interaction and collaboration with employees, executive leadership, Board members, volunteers, donors, community partners, and vendors.

Occasional travel to UWBG locations, community events, meetings, or other off‑site activities may be required. The position may occasionally work in environments with moderate noise levels, crowds, or changing activity levels during events and organizational programs.

EXPECTED WORK HOURS

This is a full‑time, exempt position with a standard workweek of 37.5 hours. Regular working hours are generally Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Occasional evening, early‑morning, or weekend work may be required to support Board meetings, organizational events, campaigns, or time‑sensitive communications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The position regularly requires the employee to:

• Remain in a stationary position and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Communicate effectively in person and through telephone, video, and electronic platforms.
• Move throughout the office and occasionally between UWBG locations or event spaces.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Occasionally lift, carry, or move communications, event, or office materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of UWBG’s applicable pre‑employment screening requirements, which may include:

• Verification of employment history and educational or professional qualifications.
• Professional reference checks.
• Criminal background screening.
• Verification of authorization to work in the United States.
• Any additional screening required based on the responsibilities of the position or access to confidential organizational information.

Benefits

United Way of the Bluegrass offers eligible full‑time employees a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer‑paid and voluntary life insurance options.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• Health reimbursement and flexible spending account options.
• Retirement plan participation.
• Paid time off and paid organizational holidays.
• Employee assistance and wellness resources.
• Professional development opportunities.

Benefit eligibility, coverage, and contribution amounts are governed by the terms of the applicable plans and organizational policies.

SALARY

$48,000–$55,000 annually