Senior Human Resources Generalist

The Equus Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Equus Group in Chicago seeks a Senior HR Manager to support business leaders and employees across the organization. You will serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, delivering strategic and hands-on HR support in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

You will partner with leadership on talent initiatives, organizational priorities, and culture, while coaching managers on performance, employee relations, and development.

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant experience as an HR Business Partner or in a similar strategic HR role.
• Experience supporting senior leaders within a fast-paced, high-performance organization.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, performance management, talent development, and organizational effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and influence senior stakeholders while building credibility across all levels of an organization.
• Experience navigating complex and sensitive employee matters with sound judgment and discretion.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect people strategy to broader business objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted HR partner and advisor to senior leaders, providing guidance on organizational design, talent strategy, employee engagement, and workforce planning.
• Build strong relationships with business leaders and develop a deep understanding of their teams, priorities, and evolving business needs.
• Partner with leadership to identify people-related challenges and develop practical, effective solutions.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance management, employee relations, career development, and other people matters.
• Support organizational change and help leaders navigate evolving team structures and business priorities.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

We are partnering with our client, a leading financial services firm in Chicago, in their search for a Senior HR Manager to support business leaders and employees across the organization. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, providing strategic and hands-on HR support in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

The ideal candidate is a strong relationship builder who combines sound business judgment with deep HR expertise. This individual will partner closely with leadership on a range of people-related matters, helping to drive talent initiatives, support organizational priorities, and foster an engaging and high-performing workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as a trusted HR partner and advisor to senior leaders, providing guidance on organizational design, talent strategy, employee engagement, and workforce planning
• Build strong relationships with business leaders and develop a deep understanding of their teams, priorities, and evolving business needs
• Partner with leadership to identify people-related challenges and develop practical, effective solutions
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance management, employee relations, career development, and other people matters
• Support organizational change and help leaders navigate evolving team structures and business priorities

Talent & Employee Development

• Partner with leadership and internal stakeholders on talent management, succession planning, and employee development initiatives
• Support performance management processes, including goal setting, performance reviews, and employee feedback
• Help identify development opportunities and work with managers to support employee growth and retention
• Partner with recruiting and business leaders on hiring needs, workforce planning, and the overall candidate experience
• Use employee feedback and business insights to identify opportunities to strengthen engagement and workplace culture

Employee Relations & HR Operations

• Serve as a resource to employees and managers on a broad range of HR policies, practices, and employee relations matters
• Handle sensitive employee issues with a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment
• Conduct or support workplace investigations and recommend appropriate courses of action when needed
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and practices while balancing employee needs with business objectives
• Partner with internal HR teams and external resources to support compensation, benefits, and other people-related programs

Organizational & Cultural Impact

• Help foster a collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive workplace culture
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, programs, and the overall employee experience
• Partner across the organization to implement people initiatives and ensure effective communication and execution
• Bring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to supporting both immediate business needs and longer-term organizational goals

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant experience as an HR Business Partner or in a similar strategic HR role
• Experience supporting senior leaders within a fast-paced, high-performance organization
• Financial services, professional services, technology, or other demanding corporate environment experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, performance management, talent development, and organizational effectiveness
• Demonstrated ability to coach and influence senior stakeholders while building credibility across all levels of an organization
• Experience navigating complex and sensitive employee matters with sound judgment and discretion
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect people strategy to broader business objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor's degree required

What They're Looking For

• Trusted, relationship-driven HR professional with strong executive presence
• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves and handling day-to-day HR matters
• Strong judgment and the ability to navigate ambiguity and complex organizational dynamics
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a high degree of ownership and follow-through
• Confident communicator who can effectively influence and challenge senior stakeholders when appropriate
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization
• Adaptable, collaborative professional who thrives in a fast-paced and evolving environment
• Someone who takes pride in building strong teams, developing talent, and creating a positive employee experience

The Equus Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.