Sr. Human Resources Generalist

Senior HR Generalist

Compensation: $95,000 $115,000 Location: On-site St. Charles, Illinois

Lakeside HR Group has been engaged by our client to recruit for a Senior HR Generalist to join their team. Our client operates a complex, mission-driven organization supporting a nationwide workforce in a 24/7 operational environment, offering a highly collaborative and purpose-driven culture. This is a highly visible, hands-on role focused on both recruiting and employee relations. You'll partner closely with leadership while serving as a trusted resource for employees and managers across the organizationbalancing empathy with strong HR expertise in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
• Manage full-cycle recruiting for dispatchers and other professional roles from job posting and sourcing through offer acceptance and pre-boarding.
• Partner with the Director and hiring managers to develop and execute targeted sourcing strategies for hard-to-fill roles across a national footprint.
• Screen applicants, conduct structured behavioral-based interviews, and facilitate the selection process in alignment with the organization's mission, values, and competency framework.
• Manage the candidate experience from first contact through offer, ensuring every interaction reflects the organization's culture and commitment to its mission.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date applicant tracking records; generate recruiting metrics and pipeline reports for the Director and leadership team.
• Build and maintain relationships with external sourcing partners to support the recruiting pipeline.
• Employee Relations
• Serve as a primary employee relations resource for frontline employees and managers a visible, accessible, and trusted point of contact for concerns, questions, and guidance.
• Conduct thorough, timely, and unbiased investigations into employee complaints, policy violations, and conduct issues; document findings and recommend appropriate resolution.
• Partner with managers to administer corrective action, progressive discipline, and performance improvement plans (PIPs) in a consistent and legally sound manner.
• Support managers through difficult employee conversations including performance concerns, conflict resolution, and separations providing coaching, documentation guidance, and real-time backup.
• Monitor employee relations trends and surface early-warning signals to the Director before issues escalate or affect retention.
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and confidential documentation for all employee relations matters in the HRIS and employee files.
• Interpret and apply HR policies and applicable employment law (federal, state, and local) to employee relations situations across a multi-state footprint.
• Partner with the Director on high-risk ER matters, agency claims, and interactions with outside legal counsel as needed.
• HR Operations & Compliance
• Coordinate leave administration (FMLA, ADA, state leave) by engaging the interactive process, issuing required paperwork and tracking time off taken.
• Manage Workers' Compensation first report of injury process.
• Respond to unemployment claims.
• Support the preparation of HR reports, compliance filings, and audit documentation as directed.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of HR policies, procedures, and employee-facing resources.
• Onboarding & New Hire Integration
• Facilitate and continuously improve new hire orientation process, ensuring new employees are integrated into the mission, values, and culture from day one.
• Coordinate role-specific onboarding plans with functional leaders and operations teams to accelerate time-to-productivity across diverse role types.
• Track onboarding completion and early-engagement metrics; identify gaps and recommend improvements to the Director.
• Serve as a backup to the HR Coordinator for onboarding activities.
• Culture & Engagement
• Support employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and culture-building activities as directed by the Director.
• Contribute to the administration and follow-up of the employee engagement survey program, including helping facilitate manager action planning.
• Support participation in community engagement activities that connect employees to the organization's mission.

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience with strong employee relations and recruiting background.
• Proven experience handling workplace investigations and complex employee matters.
• Knowledge of employment laws including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and EEOC.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build trust across all levels.
• High level of discretion and professionalism with confidential information.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience in logistics, healthcare, or other regulated environments.
• Experience supporting distributed or 24/7 workforces.
• HR certification (SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar).
• Experience with HRIS platforms and applicant tracking systems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary + comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunity to work in a mission-driven, purpose-filled environment
• High visibility role with direct impact on employees and leadership
• Collaborative and supportive team culture

About Lakeside HR Group: At Lakeside HR Group, we understand that finding the right job is essential for your career success. We are a boutique-style human resources consulting and recruiting firm dedicated to providing personalized, tailored solutions. When you partner with us, you are not just getting a recruiter; you are getting the entire Lakeside team working together to support your career goals. Partner with us at Lakeside HR Group, where we are more than just a recruiting firm; we are your partners in achieving your career aspirations.