Human Resources Generalist

Role Overview

The People & Culture Specialist is a broad HR partner role focused on the full employee journey. It is suited to someone who is collaborative, highly organized, and comfortable working in a fast-moving, people-centered environment. In this position, you will support employees and managers directly while helping build a workplace that is compliant, supportive, and engaging.

Work Location

This is a hybrid position based in Chicago, IL. Chicagoland employees are expected in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Payroll Administration

• Run accurate semi-monthly payroll for about 110 salaried exempt employees through the HRIS/payroll platform, Rippling.
• Review payroll data before each processing cycle, including salary updates, new hires, terminations, and deductions.
• Match payroll records, investigate mismatches, and correct issues promptly.
• Keep payroll practices aligned with applicable federal, state, and local rules.

Benefits Administration

• Oversee employee benefit offerings such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, FSA/HSA, and 401(k).
• Act as the main contact for questions and issue resolution related to benefits.
• Manage the annual open enrollment process, including messaging, system setup, and employee education.
• Ensure adherence to ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and related requirements.
• Handle qualifying life events and keep benefits enrollment data accurate.

New Hire Onboarding

• Coordinate a smooth onboarding journey from offer acceptance through the first 90 days.
• Prepare new hire documents and complete steps such as offer letters, I-9 verification, background screening, and system access setup.
• Lead orientation sessions covering company culture, policies, tools, and benefits.
• Work with IT, Facilities, and hiring managers to make sure employees are ready on day one.
• Improve onboarding using new hire feedback and current best practices.

Employee Relations

• Serve as a reliable resource for employees and managers on policies, concerns, and conflict resolution.
• Carry out fair and careful investigations into complaints, policy breaches, and workplace issues.
• Advise managers on performance management, corrective action, and termination processes.
• Support coaching and development conversations between managers and team members.
• Help strengthen an inclusive and positive workplace through engagement initiatives.

HR Compliance & Policy

• Maintain and revise the employee handbook and HR policies to reflect current legal and business needs.
• Support compliance with employment laws such as FMLA, ADA, EEO, FLSA, and state leave laws.
• Manage leave programs including FMLA, state leave, personal leave, and disability, along with return-to-work coordination.
• Assist with required filings and reports, including EEO-1 and other state-mandated reporting.

HRIS & People Analytics

• Keep employee records accurate and current in the HRIS.
• Produce standard and ad hoc reports covering headcount, turnover, and compensation trends.
• Look for ways to improve efficiency by automating and streamlining HR workflows.

Talent Acquisition Support

• Work with hiring managers on job descriptions, interview steps, and offer approvals.
• Help manage the end-to-end recruiting process for assigned roles when needed.
• Maintain working relationships with outside recruiters and job posting channels.

Performance Management

• Administer the performance review cycle, including scheduling, communications, and system support in Rippling.
• Help managers draft performance improvement plans and navigate difficult performance conversations.
• Track review completion and summarize performance outcomes.

Learning & Development

• Coordinate organization-wide training programs, including mandatory compliance topics such as harassment prevention, OSHA, and data privacy.
• Partner with managers to identify development needs and connect employees to learning opportunities.

Required Experience and Skills

The role calls for 2–4+ years of progressive HR generalist experience, ideally in a tech company or similarly fast-paced setting. Hands-on payroll processing experience is expected, and familiarity with systems such as ADP, Rippling, Gusto, or Paylocity is preferred. A strong understanding of employment law and HR compliance is important, along with experience supporting benefits administration and open enrollment. Strong communication, discretion, empathy, organization, and multi-tasking ability are essential. Proficiency with HRIS tools and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is also needed.