Human Resources Generalist

Ohio Northern University; Kentucky; On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Northern University is seeking an HR professional to join the Human Resources team, focusing on payroll and benefits administration. The role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant processing, enrollment, reconciliation, and audits while coordinating with vendors and open enrollment.

The position supports HR projects, policy development, and data integrity, serving employees and supervisors with guidance, reporting, and system administration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field; experience may substitute.
• 2–4 years of HR payroll/benefits experience.
• Strong attention to detail and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll and benefits administration to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing.
• Administer employee benefit programs including enrollment, reconciliation, claims, audits, vendor coordination, and open enrollment.
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors regarding payroll, benefits, timekeeping, policies, and procedures.

Skills

HR experience

Payroll knowledge

Benefits administration

Data confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR

Tools

Workday Payroll

HRIS

Job description

Career Opportunities at Ohio Northern University

Job Summary: This position is a key member of the Ohio Northern University (ONU) Human Resources (HR) team and provides broad HR support, with a primary focus on employee benefits and payroll administration.

Job Description: The position provides comprehensive human resources support with primary responsibility for the administration and oversight of University payroll and employee benefit programs. This role ensures payroll and benefits processes are accurate, timely, compliant, and effectively administered, including enrollment, reconciliation, audits, vendor coordination, claims, and annual open enrollment. The position leads and supports HR projects aligned with departmental and University priorities, including the implementation and enhancement of programs, processes, technologies, policies, and compliance requirements. Additionally, the role serves as a trusted HR resource to employees, supervisors, and the HR team by providing guidance, reporting, process improvement, system administration, and maintaining accurate, confidential, and compliant HR records and documentation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll and benefits administration to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing in accordance with University policies and applicable laws and regulations.
• Administer employee benefit programs, including assistance with program design, enrollment, payroll reconciliation, claims, audits, vendor coordination, compliance, and annual open enrollment.
• Serve as a resource to employees and supervisors regarding payroll, benefits, timekeeping, policies, procedures, and related matters while maintaining accurate and confidential records.
• Lead and support HR projects aligned with departmental and University priorities, including implementation of new programs, processes, technologies, and compliance requirements.
• Research, develop, and maintain HR policies, procedures, forms, communications, reports, and process documentation, with a focus on benefits, payroll, HR systems, and data integrity.
• Serve as a general HR resource and provide cross-functional support to employees, supervisors, and the HR team, including reporting, compliance activities, process improvement, system administration, and additional responsibilities as needed.
• Will have direct supervisory responsibilities within the HR department.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Two to four years of progressive experience in HR, payroll, benefits administration, or a related field, with knowledge of payroll practices, benefits programs, and applicable employment requirements.
• Strong attention to detail, discretion, and ability to manage confidential information while effectively communicating complex HR, payroll, and benefits matters to employees and managers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Workday, particularly Payroll, Benefits, Time Tracking, or related HR functionality.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
• Payroll certification or specialized benefits training.

Your next professional chapter begins here! ONU is an equal employment opportunity employer. Accordingly, no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all areas of employment including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, separation and other terms, condition and privileges of employment.

Ohio Northern University, founded in 1870, is a competitive, comprehensive university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. ONU is one of the few private universities to offer a distinctive blend of national ranked liberal arts and professional programs in its five colleges: Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Law. Situated on nearly 300 acres, the scenic and modern campus is comprised of 31 major buildings. The town of Ada (population 5,000) provides a friendly small town atmosphere that compliments the friendly and safe environment found on campus. To learn more about the ONU and Ada communities, please visit https://www.onu.edu/about/getting-know-ada