Senior Human Resources Specialist

firstPRO, Inc; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly performance-based bonus

Year-end bonus

Profit-sharing retirement plan (up to

401(k) with 6% match

Company-paid employee insurance

Cash balance retirement benefits

Generous paid time off

Wellness amenities and commuter perks

Job summary

firstPRO, Inc. is hiring an HR Specialist – People Operations in Philadelphia, initially onsite with hybrid flexibility. You will build the HR function, establish processes, and shape the employee experience across the organization.

The role requires 5–7 years of HR experience, expertise across HR functions, and the ability to lead projects independently. A Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business or related field is preferred, with PHR/SHRM-CP as a plus.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years progressive HR experience across multiple HR functions.
• Experience with recruiting, onboarding, performance management, policy development and compliance.
• Ability to own projects and operate independently in a growing organization.
• Solid understanding of HR best practices and applicable employment regulations.

Responsibilities

• Build and scale foundational HR processes, policies, and programs.
• Manage full-cycle recruiting and collaborate with leadership on hiring needs.
• Oversee onboarding, offboarding, and employee lifecycle experiences.
• Coordinate performance management and development initiatives.
• Develop and update HR policies and employee handbooks.

Skills

HR generalist

Project ownership

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business or related

HR certification (PHR/SHRM-CP)

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Location: Philadelphia, PA | Initially Fully Onsite, with Hybrid Flexibility

About the Opportunity

A growing, privately held organization is seeking an HR Specialist – People Operations to build and develop its HR function. This is a newly created position offering the opportunity to establish processes, implement best practices, and help shape the employee experience across a growing group of businesses.

This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, resourceful HR professional who enjoys taking initiative, creating structure, and building programs rather than simply maintaining existing processes. The ideal candidate brings a balance of tactical HR expertise, strong organizational skills, and the enthusiasm to help develop a growing people operations function.

Key Responsibilities

• Build the HR Function: Develop and implement foundational HR processes, policies, procedures, and programs to support the organization's continued growth.
• Talent Acquisition: Manage full-cycle recruiting, partner with leadership on hiring needs, and develop effective strategies to attract and retain talent.
• Onboarding & Offboarding: Oversee the employee lifecycle, ensuring a consistent, organized, and positive experience from hire through departure.
• Performance Management: Establish and coordinate performance review processes, support managers with employee development, and help implement consistent performance standards.
• HR Policies & Procedures: Create, update, and communicate employee policies, handbooks, and internal procedures in partnership with leadership and legal counsel as appropriate.
• Compliance: Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment requirements across the organization's operations.
• Training & Development: Identify opportunities to strengthen employee development, manager effectiveness, and internal HR practices.
• Early-Career Programs: Explore and develop a co-op or internship program in partnership with local universities, creating opportunities to build an early-career talent pipeline.
• HR Systems & Administration: Utilize payroll software to support HR processes, maintain employee records, and improve operational efficiency.
• Employee Relations: Serve as a resource for employees and managers, helping address routine workplace matters and escalating legal issues to the appropriate internal resources.
• Cross-Company Support: Assist with HR initiatives across affiliated businesses and contribute to people-related projects for a nonprofit organization within the broader portfolio.

Qualifications

• Approximately 5–7 years of progressive HR experience, ideally in a generalist, HR operations, or people operations role.
• Experience across multiple HR functions, including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, policy development, and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects, build processes, and operate independently in a growing or evolving organization.
• Strong understanding of HR best practices and applicable employment regulations.
• Experience with HRIS platforms;
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or other relevant HR certification is a plus.
• Competitive base salary of $110,000–$125,000, with flexibility for exceptional candidates.
• Quarterly performance-based bonus opportunities tied to KPIs and company profitability.
• Additional year-end bonus opportunity.
• Profit-sharing retirement plan with potential contributions of up to 20% of annual salary.
• 401(k) with a 6% company match.
• Company-paid employee insurance premiums.
• Additional retirement benefits, including a cash balance plan.
• Generous paid time off.
• Wellness amenities and commuter benefits.