Human Resources Generalist

Description:

Position Summary

This Human Resources Generalist role plays a hands-on and visible role in delivering key People Operations programs across the firm. This seasoned HR professional both manages and executes initiatives across employee experience, total rewards, compliance, and operations, ensuring HR programs are carried out smoothly, accurately, and in alignment with McMillan Pazdan Smith’s culture and business goals.

The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative team, enjoys variety in their work, and brings a strong balance of tactical execution, process management, and relationship building. This role supports firmwide initiatives, provides direct HR support to leaders and employees, and partners closely with HR colleagues to ensure all HR programs are delivered with excellence and consistency.

Essential Functions

Employee Relations & Support

• Provide direct guidance and hands-on support for employee relations matters including coaching, investigations, and corrective actions.
• Partner with supervisors to navigate performance issues, ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Help maintain and apply firm policies and procedures, ensuring accessibility and understanding across teams.

Total Rewards Administration

• Execute day-to-day administration of compensation, benefits, and leave programs.
• Partner closely with payroll to ensure accurate deductions, pay changes, and benefit processing.
• Support benefit program administration and coordinate employee education efforts.
• Support performance management and compensation review cycles through tracking and communication.

Employee Experience & Engagement

• Deliver and manage employee engagement programs, including recognition, wellness, and belonging initiatives.
• Partner with HR leadership and local wellness leads to execute firmwide campaigns and events.
• Support communication planning for HR initiatives, drafting messages, presentations, and intranet content.
• Facilitate employee milestone recognition, celebrations, and firmwide engagement touchpoints.

Talent Programs & Onboarding

• Deliver onboarding experiences for new employees, ensuring a smooth transition into the firm.
• Assist with career development and performance cycle logistics, including communications, forms, and tracking.
• Support participation in career fairs and recruiting events as needed.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Integrations

• Execute HR components of M&A transitions, including onboarding, systems setup, and employee communications.
• Partner with HR leadership to integrate acquired employees into firm programs, benefits, and culture initiatives.

HR Operations & Data Management

• Maintain HR data integrity in HRIS systems and ensure timely updates to employee records.
• Prepare reports and dashboards that support decision-making and compliance.
• Partner with HR leadership to streamline workflows, templates, and checklists that improve efficiency.

Compliance & Policy

• Support and manage HR compliance activities including required filings, audits, and reporting (e.g., ACA, EEO, AAP).
• Maintain and update employee handbooks, SOPs, and HR policies.
• Coordinate client-specific compliance requirements such as background checks, safety certifications, and site protocols.
• Partner with safety coordinators to execute training, maintain OSHA documentation, and ensure readiness.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in HR-led projects to improve processes, technology, and the employee experience.
• Identify opportunities to enhance consistency across studios through better tools, automations, and templates.
• Collaborate with peers to ensure HR deliverables are executed on time and with a high degree of quality.

Teamwide HR Support & Collaboration

• Step in to support any area of the HR function as team priorities shift, contributing to initiatives across benefits, compliance, employee relations, onboarding, wellness, or operations as needed.
• Work collaboratively within the People Operations team, sharing knowledge, problem-solving together, and ensuring consistent delivery of HR services across all studios.
• Serve as a trusted HR resource for employees and leaders, providing timely, accurate, and approachable guidance.
• Maintain HR data integrity and assist in preparing reports or analytics that support informed business and people decisions.
• Participate in planning and execution of firmwide events, campaigns, and communications that enhance employee engagement and belonging.
• Model flexibility and teamwork by stepping in, collaborating, and helping wherever needed to ensure HR goals and firm priorities are met.

Additional Responsibilities

• Travel intermittently (generally no more than 3 times per quarter) to other MPS studio locations, as needed.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive, broad-based HR experience, with demonstrated hands-on execution across multiple functional areas such as employee relations, benefits, compliance, onboarding, and employee engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence employees and leadership at all levels.
• Strong team collaboration skills, with experience supporting cross-functional initiatives and fostering effective partnerships across departments.
• Ability to navigate a matrix management structure, working across multiple leaders and studios.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to collect, interpret, and leverage data to inform decisions and measure program success.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, data management, and reporting tools to ensure HR reporting, payroll, and audit requirements are met.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to adapt to evolving business needs and shifting priorities.
• High emotional intelligence, with the capacity to understand and respond to employee and leadership needs while maintaining professionalism and discretion.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to align HR initiatives and day-to-day operations with organizational goals.
• Integrity and confidentiality in handling sensitive employee information and HR data.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification.
• Experience in a professional services environment or architecture/engineering industry.