Human Resources Generalist

Confidential; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential seeks an HR Generalist to support employees and managers across the full lifecycle in a multi-state Chicago environment. You will manage onboarding, offboarding, HRIS administration, records, and compliance to ensure a seamless employee experience.

You will guide on employee relations, policies, and benefits, while partnering with leaders to scale people practices and ensure regulatory compliance as the organization grows.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of HR Generalist/HR Operations experience.
• Working knowledge of core employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, I-9, EEO).
• Proficient with HRIS and data analytics.
• Experience with multi-state compliance.
• Experience with system implementations or migrations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR processes across onboarding, status changes, and offboarding.
• Advise managers on employee relations, policies, and workplace practices.
• Maintain HRIS data accuracy through audits and reporting.
• Coordinate benefits, leave, and payroll processes with teams.
• Ensure I-9, EEO-1, and multi-state compliance.
• Drive HR process improvements and scalable programs.
• Provide timely, professional employee support.

Skills

HRIS proficiency

Attention to detail

Compliance knowledge

Communication skills

Discretion

Tools

Paycom

ADP

UKG

Workday

Job description

As an HR Generalist, you will play a key role in supporting employees and managers across the full employee lifecycle while ensuring the efficient execution of HR operations and programs. You will oversee critical processes such as onboarding, offboarding, HRIS administration, employee records management, and compliance activities, helping to deliver a seamless and positive employee experience. In partnership with business leaders and employees, you will provide guidance on employee relations, benefits, policies, and workplace practices across a multi-state, multi-office environment. Additionally, you will identify opportunities to enhance HR processes, support the implementation of scalable people practices, and help ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws as the organization continues to grow.

• Manage the Employee Lifecycle: Oversee and execute HR processes throughout the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employee status changes, and offboarding. Coordinate pre-employment activities, background checks, new hire documentation, orientation, promotions, transfers, compensation changes, leaves of absence, terminations, exit interviews, and system access changes to ensure a seamless employee experience.
• Support Employee Relations: Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers by addressing HR-related questions, conducting intake for employee concerns, supporting investigations, maintaining documentation, and providing guidance on performance management, policy interpretation, and workplace matters. Escalate complex or sensitive issues as appropriate.
• Administer HR Systems and Data: Maintain and enhance the integrity of employee data within the HRIS and related systems. Perform regular audits, process employee transactions accurately, and generate reports and analytics to support compliance, business operations, and leadership decision-making.
• Coordinate Benefits, Leave, and Payroll Processes: Partner with Benefits and Payroll teams to support benefit enrollments, open enrollment activities, leave of absence administration, and payroll verification. Ensure accurate processing and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure Compliance and Maintain Documentation: Maintain accurate and legally compliant employee records, support I-9 administration, EEO-1 reporting, policy updates, and multi-state employment law compliance. Conduct periodic audits and assist with compliance initiatives to mitigate organizational risk.
• Support HR Programs and Initiatives: Assist with the planning and execution of key people programs, including performance management, compensation review cycles, employee engagement initiatives, training programs, and other strategic HR projects.
• Drive Process Improvements: Identify opportunities to improve HR workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and implement scalable processes and technology solutions that support business growth and an exceptional employee experience.
• Deliver Exceptional Employee Support: Provide timely, professional, and customer-focused support to employees and managers by resolving HR inquiries, troubleshooting administrative issues, and connecting stakeholders with appropriate resources when specialized support is needed.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in an HR Generalist, HR Operations, or HR Administration role, preferably within a multi-state, high-growth, or professional services environment.
• Employment Law Knowledge: Working knowledge of core employment laws and compliance requirements (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ADA, I-9, EEO), with the judgment to know when to escape.
• Technical Acumen: High proficiency with HRIS platforms (e.g., Paycom, ADP, UKG, Workday) and strong data management skills, including advanced Excel capabilities.
• Detail Orientation: Exceptional organizational skills and an eagle eye for detail, essential for maintaining accurate records and compliance.
• Problem Solving: A proactive, figure-it-out mentality with the ability to troubleshoot system issues and administrative bottlenecks independently.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and written communication skills; comfortable managing a high volume of tasks while building trust with employees and managers at all levels.
• Confidentiality: Utmost integrity and discretion when handling sensitive personal information.
• Experience assisting with system implementations or migrations (HRIS, payroll, or benefits platforms).
• Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, or other periods of rapid organizational change.
• Hands-on benefits administration or leave administration experience.