Senior Human Resources Generalist

CBIZ; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CBIZ in St. Louis, MO seeks a Sr. HR Generalist to serve as a client-facing consultant delivering comprehensive HR support across payroll, benefits, compliance, and employee lifecycle management.

You will partner with business leaders and employees to execute HR programs while managing day-to-day operations for a portfolio of clients in a fast-paced environment. This role emphasizes strong client relationships, guidance on HR best practices, and the ability to navigate multi-state regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field; 5–10 years of relevant experience
• Experience supporting external clients in HR consulting, HR outsourcing, payroll, or benefits administration
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, multi-state regulations, and benefits administration
• Experience managing HR across multiple states and diverse client organizations
• HRIS, payroll systems, and benefits platforms proficiency
• HR certifications preferred (PHR, SHRM-CP, CPP, etc.)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; client relationship ability
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Responsibilities

• Serves as trusted HR advisor and primary contact for assigned clients
• Builds strong client relationships and delivers outsourced HR services
• Manages a variety of HR activities within client engagements
• Guides on employee relations, policy interpretation, performance management, and compliance
• Leads client transitions and onboarding for HR services
• Maintains knowledge of employment laws across jurisdictions
• Oversees onboarding/offboarding and maintains compliant records
• Processes and administers client payrolls using third-party platforms
• Reviews payroll data and ensures accuracy of deductions and benefits
• Acts as payroll/benefits subject matter expert and resolves issues
• Collaborates with payroll providers, state agencies, and client contacts
• Conducts payroll audits and data integrity reviews
• Administers benefit programs including open enrollment and leaves
• Losters liaison between employees, carriers, and payroll providers
• Supports annual benefit renewals and employee communications
• Provides guidance on HR processes, policies, and technology
• Supports HR projects and system implementations
• Provides on-site client support when required
• Keeps up with HR trends and regulatory changes
• Contributes to HR Services practice improvements

Skills

Client relationship management

HR consulting

Compliance knowledge

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

Training and coaching

Education

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

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

HRIS

Payroll software

Benefits platforms

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

Job Description

The Sr. HR Generalist is a client-facing consultant responsible for delivering comprehensive human resources support to a portfolio of clients. Acting as an extension of each client's team, this role partners with business leaders and employees to manage day-to-day HR operations, payroll administration, benefits administration, compliance, employee lifecycle processes, and other HR initiatives. The Sr. HR Generalist provides practical HR guidance, helps clients navigate complex workforce challenges, and ensures the effective execution of HR programs and processes. We are seeking a results-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced consulting environment and enjoys building strong client relationships while supporting multiple organizations. This is a hybrid role in our St. Louis, MO office.

Essential Functions And Primary Duties

• Serves as a trusted HR advisor and primary point of contact for assigned clients, providing guidance on HR best practices, compliance, employee relations, and workforce management.
• Builds strong client relationships and delivers high-quality outsourced HR services tailored to each client's business needs.
• Manages and completes a variety of HR activities within the scope of client engagements, ensuring seamless day-to-day HR operations.
• Provides support and guidance on employee relations matters, policy interpretation, performance management, and compliance-related issues.
• May lead client transitions and onboarding efforts to ensure the successful integration and administration of HR services.
• Maintains a strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and ensures compliance across assigned client engagements.
• Oversees employee onboarding and offboarding processes, including new hire documentation, orientation, policy reviews, and separation activities.
• Ensures HR files, client records, and employment documentation remain current, compliant, and accurate.
• Processes and administers client payrolls utilizing third-party payroll platforms.
• Reviews payroll data, audits payroll transactions, and ensures the accuracy of employee, tax, benefits, and deduction information.
• Serves as the primary resource for employee and client payroll-related questions and issue resolution.
• Partners with payroll providers, state agencies, and client contacts to resolve complex payroll and tax-related matters.
• Conducts regular payroll audits and reviews to ensure compliance and data integrity.
• Administers employee benefit programs, including enrollments, life event changes, terminations, and ongoing employee support.
• Manages benefit-related processes including COBRA administration, leave coordination, invoice reconciliation, and open enrollment activities.
• Serves as a liaison between employees, insurance carriers, brokers, payroll providers, and client stakeholders.
• Supports annual benefit renewal activities and assists clients in understanding available options, plan changes, and employee communications.
• Provides guidance and best practices related to HR processes, policies, compliance, and employee management.
• Supports clients with HR projects, process improvements, system implementations, and organizational initiatives as needed.
• Provides on-site client support and consultation when required.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging HR trends, regulatory changes, payroll practices, benefits administration, and HR technology.
• Participates in initiatives that enhance the HR Services practice and contributes ideas, knowledge, and prior experience to improve service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field and 5-10 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience supporting external clients in an HR consulting, HR outsourcing (HRO), Professional Employer Organization (PEO), payroll, benefits administration, or similar client-service environment.
• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, payroll compliance, wage and hour regulations, and multi-state employment practices.
• Experience administering employee benefit programs including open enrollment, leave administration, carrier management, and employee support.
• Experience managing HR functions across multiple states and diverse client organizations.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to establish credibility and build strong client relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with HRIS, payroll systems, benefits administration platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience supporting HR technology implementations, system transitions, or process improvement initiatives.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, CPP, FPC, CEBS, or other HR, payroll, or benefits-related certifications preferred.
• Excellent Excel, Word, and Outlook skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, and a collaborative work style.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional client service, ethical business practices, and continuous learning.
• Ability to evaluate situations from multiple perspectives and provide practical, business-focused HR solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least 2 years of demonstrated HR experience
• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing throughout all levels of the organization, both internally and externally
• Ability to analyze and prioritize multiple responsibilities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite software tools (Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams etc.)