Senior Human Resources Generalist

Merit HR (Merit Resource Group); Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Merit HR (Merit Resource Group) partners with a mission-driven organization in Palo Alto to hire a Senior HR Generalist or HR Manager for an immediate contract supporting ~150 employees. This hands-on role requires independent judgment, strong ER, investigations, and manager coaching.

You will be a trusted HR resource across workplace matters, leading investigations, coaching managers, and guiding compliant HR practices.

Qualifications

• Substantive HR generalist experience, ideally Senior HR Generalist or HR Manager level.
• Strong employee relations experience, including investigations.
• Ability to coach managers and provide practical guidance.
• Working knowledge of California employment practices and compliance.
• Ability to operate independently with sound judgment.
• Experience supporting both hourly and professional populations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted HR resource to employees and managers.
• Manage employee relations issues from initial concern through resolution.
• Conduct timely, thorough, and well-documented workplace investigations.
• Coach managers through performance, attendance, conduct, and other issues.
• Provide guidance on corrective action and performance management.
• Partner with leadership on sensitive or higher-risk employee situations.
• Support leaves, accommodations, and general HR matters as needed.
• Interpret policies to ensure compliant HR practices.
• Escalate issues to senior HR leadership or counsel as appropriate.
• Step into broader HR needs as priorities arise.

Skills

HR generalist experience

Employee relations

Investigations

Manager coaching

California employment practices

Independent judgment

Cross-functional partnership

Job description

We are partnering with an established, mission-driven organization seeking an experienced Senior HR Generalist or HR Manager for an immediate contract need supporting an employee population of approximately 150.

This is a hands-on role for an experienced HR practitioner who brings the breadth of a strong generalist along with meaningful depth in employee relations, investigations and manager coaching. The right person will be comfortable working independently, exercising sound judgment and moving easily between day-to-day HR needs and more complex employee matters.

What You'll Do

• Serve as a trusted HR resource to employees and managers across a broad range of workplace matters
• Manage employee relations issues from initial concern through resolution
• Conduct timely, thorough and well-documented workplace investigations
• Coach managers through performance, attendance, conduct and other employee issues
• Provide practical guidance on corrective action and performance management
• Partner with leadership on sensitive or higher-risk employee situations
• Support leaves, accommodations and other general HR matters as needed
• Interpret policies and help ensure consistent, compliant HR practices
• Identify issues requiring escalation and partner appropriately with senior HR leadership and/or counsel
• Step into the broader needs of the HR function as priorities arise

What We're Looking For

• Substantive HR generalist experience, ideally at the Senior HR Generalist or HR Manager level
• Strong employee relations experience, including independently managing investigations and complex employee matters
• Demonstrated ability to coach managers and provide clear, practical guidance
• Working knowledge of California employment practices and compliance
• Comfortable operating independently and making sound judgment calls without requiring significant oversight
• Experience supporting both hourly and professional employee populations strongly preferred
• Background in healthcare, senior living, hospitality or another high-touch, service-oriented environment is particularly relevant
• Professional, approachable communication style and the ability to establish credibility quickly with employees and managers

The Profile

This role is not designed for someone whose experience has been primarily transactional HR, nor does it require a career employee relations specialist. We are looking for the person in between: an experienced, well-rounded HR professional who has personally handled enough complex employee relations work to step in and operate with confidence from the outset.

• 3+ month contract
• Approximately 150 employees
• Hybrid schedule with 3 days per week onsite in Palo Alto
• Immediate need
• $50-$65/hour, depending on experience

This is an opportunity for an experienced HR professional who enjoys being close to the business, working directly with managers and employees, and bringing both strong ER judgment and broad HR capability to a hands-on assignment.