Human Resources Generalist

Davidson College; Davidson (NC); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan (403B)

4 weeks vacation from day one

Paid sick leave

Work-from-home day after 6 months

Half-day Fridays in summer

13 paid holidays

Job summary

Davidson College is seeking an HR Generalist to serve as the primary contact for College employees, supporting onboarding, policies, and compliance across the employee lifecycle.

The role emphasizes proactive service, process improvement, and collaboration with the HR team to foster a positive campus community and ensure accurate HRIS data and records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field required.
• Minimum of 3 years direct HR experience (ideally in Higher Education or a structured office environment) OR 18 months HR experience combined with 5 years of general professional experience.
• SHRM-CP or PHR certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes.
• Advise on HR policies, benefits, and workplace standards.
• Maintain compliant employee records and support payroll.
• Partner with leadership to implement HR process improvements and engagement initiatives.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Discretion

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

SHRM-CP or PHR certification (or actively working toward certification)

Tools

Workday

Oracle

Power BI

Kuali Build

Job description

Are you a proactive, detail-oriented HR professional who thrives on building connections and supporting employee success?

As our HR Generalist, you will serve as the primary point of contact for College employees, managing day-to-day operations across the entire employee lifecycle. From welcoming new hires during onboarding to advising on workplace standards and maintaining compliance, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a positive, value-driven campus community.

The ideal candidate has an initiative-taking mindset, works well independently, and is passionate about providing exceptional service.

Key Responsibilities

1. Recruitment, Onboarding & Offboarding

• Manage End-to-End Recruitment: Post job openings, screen resumes, conduct initial interviews, and coordinate communication between candidates and hiring managers.
• Streamline Onboarding: Prepare offer letters, facilitate new employee orientations, conduct background checks, and ensure all onboarding documentation is completed smoothly.
• Facilitate Offboarding: Manage the departure process, conduct Exit Interviews, proactively collaborate with managers regarding backfill plans, and ensure HRIS systems are finalized 30 days post-departure.

2. Employee Relations & Engagement

• Primary Point of Contact: Serve as an accessible, neutral party for employees and managers regarding HR policies, benefits, and workplace standards.
• Conflict Resolution & Coaching: Support supervisors in handling performance issues, assist in resolving workplace concerns, and help cultivate a positive environment.
• Training & Development: Assist in coordinating employee training programs and growth initiatives.

3. Benefits & Compliance

• Benefits Orientation: Deliver New Employee Benefits Orientation for incoming staff.
• First-Line Support: Act as the initial contact for benefits inquiries; elevate complex cases to the Assistant Director of HR (Benefits) or the Director of Total Rewards & Compensation.
• Records & Payroll Support: Maintain employee records in compliance with labor laws and College policies. Partner with the Controller’s Office to facilitate and approve payroll.

4. Strategic Collaboration & Process Improvement

• Enhance Workflows: Partner with the Director of Employee Experience to identify and implement HR process improvements that increase efficiency.
• Culture & Engagement: Work closely with the broader HR team to design and implement programs, systems, and initiatives that boost employee engagement and retention.
• Administrative Support: Handle day-to-day administrative tasks, including generating reports, scheduling meetings, and maintaining HRIS systems.

Qualifications

Experience & Education

• Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 3 years of direct HR experience (ideally in Higher Education or a structured office environment) OR
• 18 months of direct HR experience combined with 5 years of general professional experience.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Compliance Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of HR policies, as well as federal, state, and local labor laws.
• HRIS Proficiency: Experience navigating HRIS platforms (e.g., Workday, Oracle, Power BI, Kuali Build).
• Analytical Skills: Experience and interest in HR data gathering, reporting, and analysis.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, communication, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.
• Discretion: Absolute commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification: SHRM-CP or PHR certification (or actively working toward certification) is highly preferred.

Why Join Us?

At Davidson, we believe our employees are our greatest asset. We offer a collaborative, mission-driven work environment where your contributions directly impact on our community. Additionally, we believe we have a competitive benefits package including an annual 9.5% contribution into your retirement savings plan after 12 months of employment (403B vs. 401K, but very similar); the ability to earn 4 weeks of vacation starting on day one; paid sick leave; after 6 months of employment, a work from home day if you want it; ½ day Fridays in the summer; 13 paid holidays including paid time off the week between Christmas and New Years, etc.

• annual 9.5% contribution into your retirement savings plan after 12 months of employment (403B vs. 401K, but very similar)
• the ability to earn 4 weeks of vacation starting on day one
• paid sick leave
• after 6 months of employment, a work from home day if you want it
• ½ day Fridays in the summer
• 13 paid holidays including paid time off the week between Christmas and New Years, etc.