Human Resources Generalist

FAO Schwarz; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

FAO Schwarz is seeking an HR Generalist to support payroll, benefits, leave management, and HR compliance. You will collaborate with leadership to implement HR policies, drive efficiency, and maintain regulatory adherence across the organization.

You will manage weekly payroll for 300+ employees, coordinate onboarding/offboarding, and ensure timely training and certification tracking. This role requires discretion, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to integrity.

Qualifications

• Experience with ADP Workforce Now in a multi-state, high-volume payroll environment.
• Knowledge of federal and state Wage and Hour laws and compliance.
• Experience managing payroll for 300+ employees.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle sensitive employee information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Process payroll updates for new hires, terminations, and status changes.
• Manage the full weekly payroll cycle, including salaries, benefits, bonuses, taxes, and deductions.
• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes and system updates.
• Ensure compliance with training requirements and certification tracking.
• Administer core HR functions: compensation, leave, benefits, and development.
• Respond to employee inquiries and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Maintain compliance with payroll and employment laws and review policies regularly.
• Oversee employee leave processes including FMLA and disability.
• Serve as liaison with ADP for payroll services.
• Support benefits enrollment and changes for employees.
• Monitor ACA compliance by tracking work hours for eligibility.
• Review monthly benefits billing statements for accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement across HR processes.

Skills

ADP Workforce Now

Wage and Hour compliance

Multi-state payroll

Microsoft Excel

Attention to detail

Time management

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Confidentiality

Education

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

Job description

The Human Resources Generalist plays a critical role in both the strategic and operational aspects of Human Resources, including payroll, benefits administration, leave management, employee relations, and compliance. Reporting directly to the Director of Human Resources, this role supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, and systems to ensure operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. This individual will be a key contributor to the formulation and execution of short- and long-term HR objectives that align with the organization's overall strategic goals. The HR Generalist will collaborate across departments to foster a positive workplace culture, enhance employee engagement, and lead HR initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness.

What you'll do

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll updates, including new hires, terminations, and employee status changes.
• Manage the full weekly payroll cycle, including the processing of salaries, benefits, bonuses, garnishments, taxes, and other deductions.
• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring all required actions and system updates are completed.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with mandatory and voluntary training requirements, including safety programs, anti-harassment initiatives, continuing education, and certification tracking.
• Administer core HR functions across compensation, benefits, leave management, workplace safety, and employee development, ensuring consistency and legal compliance.
• Respond to employment-related inquiries from employees and supervisors, escalating complex or sensitive matters as appropriate.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local payroll and employment laws and regulations, and regularly review company policies to ensure continued adherence to best practices.
• Manage the full lifecycle of employee leave requests, including FMLA, short-term disability, workers’ compensation, military leave, and personal leave, in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the ADP representative for payroll and related services.
• Support employee benefits administration, including enrollment, changes due to qualifying life events, and ongoing employee communications.
• Oversee ACA compliance by uploading and managing employee work hours for eligibility tracking.
• Review and reconcile monthly benefits billing statements to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
• Drive continuous improvement across HR processes; perform other HR duties and projects as assigned.

Required skills & abilities

• Proven expertise in ADP Workforce Now for scheduling, payroll processing, and system navigation.
• Solid knowledge of federal and state Wage and Hour laws, including compliance and reporting.
• Hands-on experience managing multi-state payroll operations in a high-volume environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Ability to independently manage payroll responsibilities and take full ownership of processes and results.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize tasks, multitask effectively, and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve complex payroll issues efficiently.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, professionalism, and maintaining confidentiality in handling sensitive employee and payroll data.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• 3–5 years of hands‑on experience processing multi‑state payroll using ADP Workforce Now (WFN).
• Proven ability to manage payroll for 300+ employees across multiple states and locations.
• Solid understanding of HR administrative practices, including new hires, terminations, benefits administration, and HRIS systems.
• Experience functioning as a sole Payroll or HR/Payroll administrator is strongly preferred.

Physical requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds (e.g., office supplies or files).
• Must be able to read from and input information into a computer screen for extended periods.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Work is performed in a standard office environment with moderate noise levels and access to typical office equipment and resources.