HR Generalist

About the role

Talentfoot is working on exciting HR Generalist opportunity that will own the HR function for a well established creative agency. This will own the full talent/employee lifecycle while reporting to the Head of Finance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and audit I-9 records, employee files, and regulatory documentation across all eight states
• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, multi-state, and local employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, wage & hour, and workers' compensation
• Support HR audits, compliance reporting, and initiatives such as diversity certifications
• Coordinate multi-state leave administration (FMLA, NJ Family Leave Act, and applicable state equivalents) and track balances accurately
• Administer benefits programs and support open enrollment, including employee communications and vendor coordination
• Verify employee data, maintain PTO balances, and update payroll and time-tracking systems
• Serve as the day-to-day liaison with our outsourced HR firm, ensuring alignment and follow-through on shared deliverables
• Partner with Finance on payroll inputs and flag discrepancies proactively
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee questions on HR policies, benefits, and procedures
• Support employee relations matters with discretion, including performance documentation, ADA accommodations, and corrective action
• Build rapport with distributed employees across all locations, remote doesn't mean disconnected
• Support managers in navigating HR processes effectively and holding their teams accountable
• Support full-cycle recruiting, including job postings, resume screening, interview coordination, and offer administration
• Lead onboarding for new hires from paperwork to first-week check-ins, ensuring a consistent and welcoming experience
• Maintain updated job descriptions and support workforce planning conversations with leadership
• Own and build out HR processes, templates, and systems, starting from what exists and improving from there
• Proactively update the Director of Finance on HR project status, compliance risks, and anything that needs attention
• Identify gaps in current HR infrastructure and propose solutions. You're building this function, not just maintaining it

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of HR experience, ideally in a small agency, startup, or solo HR role — you know what it means to be the department
• Solid working knowledge of federal and multi-state employment law (FMLA, ADA, NJLAD, wage & hour, I-9 compliance)
• Experience administering benefits and supporting open enrollment end-to-end
• Comfort working with HRIS and/or payroll systems; Paychex experience is a plus
• Strong project management instincts, you can track moving pieces, set timelines, and communicate progress without being asked
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
• A communication style that builds trust and clarity, whether in writing, over Zoom, or in person
• Adaptability and a bias for action — you don't wait for permission to solve problems; you bring solutions forward
• Comfort in a fast-paced, evolving environment where priorities shift and not everything is perfectly defined
• Genuine enthusiasm for building a great employee experience and supporting people at all levels