HR & Payroll Generalist

The Human Resources Generalist & Payroll Administrator serves as a key partner to the HR Director and provides responsive, consistent HR and payroll support across multiple divisions. This hands-on role manages a broad range of human resources functions, including recruiting and onboarding, employee relations, culture and engagement, compliance, benefits, HR administration, and the accurate and timely processing of multi-state payrolls. The position works closely with leaders, employees, vendors, and external agencies to strengthen the employee experience, maintain accurate records, support organizational growth, and help ensure compliance with applicable employment, payroll, tax, wage and hour, and company requirements.

TALENT ACQUISITION & ONBOARDING

• Manage full-cycle recruiting for multiple divisions and a variety of positions, including sourcing, screening, interview coordination, selection support, and offer management.
• Partner with hiring managers to clarify staffing needs, develop effective recruiting approaches, and create a positive candidate experience.
• Prepare and distribute offer letters and coordinate pre-employment requirements, including background checks, reference checks, drug screenings, and new-hire documentation.
• Coordinate and facilitate new-hire orientation and onboarding to support a consistent and welcoming employee experience.
• Maintain job postings, candidate records, recruiting documentation, and applicant tracking information.

PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION

• Process accurate and timely payrolls across multiple states and EINs using the HRIS, while maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Maintain accurate employee payroll records, including hours, earnings, compensation changes, deductions, benefit premiums, taxes, and other payroll-related data.
• Administer complex payroll scenarios, including prevailing wage requirements, wage garnishments, and state-specific wage and hour requirements.
• Review timekeeping records, employee changes, payroll documentation, reconciliations, reports, and audit data for completeness and accuracy before payroll submission.
• Set up payroll-related business accounts in new states or locations, including state unemployment insurance, workers compensation, withholding, and other required state or local registrations.
• Research and maintain current knowledge of payroll tax rates, workers compensation guidelines, wage and hour laws, reporting requirements, and payroll trends in locations where the company operates or plans to conduct business.
• Collaborate with external agencies, vendors, Human Resources, and business leaders to support registrations, payroll compliance, benefit deductions, and issue resolution.
• Act as a point of contact for internal and external payroll inquiries; research and resolve payroll questions while maintaining confidentiality, accuracy, and appropriate escalation.
• Prepare payroll reports, presentations, documentation, reconciliations, and supporting records as required.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & HR SUPPORT

• Serve as an accessible resource for employees and managers regarding company policies, procedures, benefits, payroll, and general employment questions.
• Support the HR Director with employee relations matters, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and documentation.
• Assist with performance management processes, including coaching documentation, performance improvement plans, and corrective action administration.
• Promote consistent and equitable HR practices across divisions.

CULTURE, ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION

• Partner with the HR Director and business leaders to plan and execute employee engagement and culture-building initiatives across divisions.
• Coordinate employee recognition, company events, surveys, wellness activities, and other programs that strengthen connection and retention.
• Support clear employee communications and organizational change initiatives.
• Gather and organize employee feedback and recommend practical improvements to the employee experience.

HR OPERATIONS, COMPLIANCE & BENEFITS

• Maintain complete and accurate employee files, HRIS data, payroll records, and confidential HR records in accordance with policy and legal requirements.
• Administer routine HR processes, including Form I-9 verification, policy acknowledgments, leave documentation, employment changes, and compliance tracking.
• Support benefits enrollment, annual open enrollment, employee questions, vendor coordination, and issue resolution; ensure benefit elections and premium deductions are timely and accurate.
• Assist with HR and payroll audits, reporting, metrics, policy updates, process improvements, and required documentation.
• Provide administrative and project support to the HR Director and perform other duties as assigned to support HR and business operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least five years of combined progressive human resources and payroll experience, including hands-on responsibility for multi-state and multi-EIN payroll processing.
• Strong working knowledge of payroll administration, federal, state, and local wage and hour requirements, payroll tax compliance, and state-specific employment regulations.
• Current working knowledge of California payroll laws and regulations, including prevailing wage requirements.
• Working knowledge of employment law fundamentals and HR best practices across multiple HR disciplines.
• Experience using an HRIS to process payroll and maintain employee data.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with employees, leaders, vendors, and external contacts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supporting multiple divisions, business units, locations, or a multi-state workforce.
• Experience with ADP or a similar HRIS and payroll platform.
• Experience with payroll registrations, payroll taxes, workers compensation, wage garnishments, benefits administration, and leave administration.
• Experience in construction, service, or project-based business environments.
• Professional HR or payroll certification, such as SHRM-CP, PHR, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CPP, or FPC.