Human Resources Generalist

Churchill Downs; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Churchill Downs Incorporated is seeking an HR Generalist to perform HR duties in our Lexington office. This role supports benefits administration, employee relations, training, performance management, onboarding, recruitment, and employment law compliance.

The position is on-site, five days a week, and requires collaboration with senior HR management to support designated locations. An undergraduate degree is required; SPHR/PHR is a plus, and 2–4 years of HR experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; SPHR or PHR certification a plus.
• 2-4 years of HR experience preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Administers HR plans and procedures for all personnel; helps develop policies.
• Coordinates training and development programs.
• Manages recruitment for exempt and nonexempt personnel; conducts new-employee orientations.
• Monitors payroll/timekeeping and administers benefits processes.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintains HR information systems and generates reports.

Skills

HR policies

Employee relations

Recruitment

Performance mgmt

Training

Compliance

Data analytics

Excel

HRIS

Payroll accuracy

Education

Undergraduate degree

PHR/SPHR certification

Tools

Excel

HRIS

Workday

Job description

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TwinSpires is the premier online horse racing wagering platform in the United States. TwinSpires is owned and operated by Churchill Downs, Inc., and is the official online betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, bringing you more than 148 years of wagering experience. Players can wager through the TwinSpires desktop, mobile, and app-based advance-deposit wagering platforms as well as at retail locations and race tracks across the country.

JOB SUMMARY

The HR Generalist is responsible for performing HR-related duties on a professional level andworks closely with senior HR management in supporting designated locations. This position carries outresponsibilities in the following functional areas: benefits administration, employee relations, training,performance management, onboarding, policy implementation, recruitment/employment and employment lawcompliance. The HR Generalist will champion initiatives and help drive commitment throughout the location.

This is an on-site position working 5 days per week in our Lexington Office.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administers various human resource plans and procedures for all organization personnel; assists in thedevelopment and implementation of personnel policies and procedures
• Participates in developing department goals and objectives
• Assists in the compensation program and monitors the performance evaluation program
• Performs benefits administration, including change reporting and communicating benefits information toemployees.
• Coordinates training and development programs
• Conducts recruitment effort for all exempt and nonexempt personnel, and temporary employees; conductsnew-employee orientations
• Monitors regular payroll and audits timekeeping system
• Attends and participates in employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
• Participates in administrative staff meetings and attends other meetings as needed
• Recommends new approaches, policies and procedures to continually improve efficiency of thedepartment and services performed.
• Maintains human resource information system records and compiles reports from the database.
• Maintains compliance with federal, state and local employment and benefits laws and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned by Management
• Excellent verbal and written interpersonal skills including the ability to interact with people at all levels ofthe organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity
• Knowledge of general human resource management practices
• Ability to follow-through and manage the challenge of multiple priorities under deadlines.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Communication & Influence: Exceptional written and verbal communication, including clear investigation summaries, policy guidance, and manager coaching; able to influence without authority and tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Employee Relations & Investigations: Demonstrated skill conducting prompt, impartial investigations; evaluating evidence; documenting findings; and recommending consistent outcomes while guarding against retaliation.
• ADA / Leave Expertise: Working knowledge of ADA/ADAAA and the interactive process (analyzing essential functions, evaluating reasonable accommodations, tracking effectiveness). Coordination familiarity with FMLA, state/local leaves, and workers’ compensation.
• Employment Law Literacy: Practical understanding of Title VII, FLSA (wage/hour), EEO, I-9/E-Verify, and applicable state/local laws; ability to interpret and apply policy and legal requirements in real scenarios (union/NLRA awareness if applicable).
• Manager Coaching & Performance Enablement: Ability to coach leaders on feedback, documentation, corrective action, and performance improvement plans; promotes fair, consistent application of standards.
• Compensation Fundamentals: Comfort with internal equity, range placement, offer guidance, and pay transparency expectations in relevant jurisdictions.
• Data & Analytics: Ability to interpret HR metrics (turnover, time-to-fill, ER themes, engagement), draw insights, and recommend actions; proficient in Excel/Sheets (lookups, pivots) and HRIS reporting.
• Change Management & Org Effectiveness: Partners on restructures, role design, and communication/adoption plans; drives continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Strong relationship-building and service mindset with employees, managers, and cross-functional partners; balances empathy with sound judgment.
• Confidentiality & Ethics: Exercises discretion with sensitive information; maintains medical/accommodation records consistent with ADA confidentiality requirements.
• Organization & Prioritization: Excellent planning, time management, and attention to detail across multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Technology: Proficient with Microsoft 365 and HR systems; comfortable learning new tools and using collaboration platforms (Teams/Slack).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree required; and SPHR or PHR certification a plus.
• 2-4 years of Human Resources experience preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

The following physical and mental demands are representative of those that must be metby an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

a) While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, sometimes forprolonged periods while working at a desk, on the phone, and/or on the computer; type on acomputer keyboard; use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk or hear; reach with hands or arms; walkor stand; and perform some repetitive motion activities.

b) Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, color differentiation,peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

c) This position requires the ability to work effectively as part of a team; and concentrate on a varietyof details when faced with interruptions and changing work priorities.

d) The mental demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfullyperform the essential functions, as described above, including but not limited to: demonstratedability to anticipate and solve practical problems or resolve issues; reason, calculate figures andamounts; collect, interpret, and/or analyze complex data and information, and draw validconclusions; interpret procedures and policies; and meet schedules in a dynamic and sometimesdemanding work environment.

e) The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics arerepresentative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in atypical office environment.

f) The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodationsmay be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.

Work With Us

Churchill Downs Incorporated is an inclusive and fun place to work. We celebrate unique approaches and points of view. We believe diversity is a mindset that drives excellence. We’re always learning, evolving and growing. We innovate through mutual respect of ideas and collaboration. This allows us to build a common language that inspires our team members and propels us toward the achievement of our vision.