Senior Human Resources Generalist

Company Description

At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 65 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being , supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.

With over 1,500 professionals across 36 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths. Learn more at

Job Description

Join our team as a Senior Human Resources Generalist . As a key member of the People Services team, you will serve as a trusted HR partner, advisor, and subject matter expert across a broad range of people programs and initiatives. This role combines hands-on HR execution with business partnership, with a particular focus on benefits administration, HR compliance, employee relations, and operational improvement.

Working closely with People Services, Payroll, Talent Acquisition, and Shared Services leaders, you will help resolve complex issues, lead cross-functional initiatives, strengthen HR programs and processes, and support a positive employee experience across the organization. You will also build productive relationships with benefit carriers, brokers, and vendors to help ensure issues are addressed effectively and programs operate as intended.

While this is not a formal people management role, it offers the opportunity to take ownership of significant projects, contribute to the development of People Services programs, and grow as a senior partner within the function.

What You'll Be Doing

Compliance, Employee Relations, & HR Partnership

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local employment regulations while balancing compliance requirements with practical business needs.
• Monitor changes in employment laws and recommend policy, process, and communication updates to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Participate in annual compliance activities, including KPFF’s Affirmative Action Plan, EEO filings, and other required federal and state reporting.
• Partner with People Services leadership on policy development, investigations, documentation, and risk mitigation.
• Provide guidance to employees, managers, and People Services team members on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, HR policies, and best practices.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition and People Services leadership to maintain job descriptions, policies, and HR programs that support compliance and organizational goals.

Benefits, Leave Administration & HR Programs

• Serve as a subject matter expert on benefits and leave programs, providing guidance on plan provisions, eligibility, enrollments, leave administration, and program policies.
• Manage relationships with benefit carriers, brokers, and vendors, including troubleshooting complex plan issues, escalating concerns, and following issues through resolution.
• Review and interpret benefit plan documents, administrative requirements, and vendor practices to help ensure plans operate as intended.
• Resolve complex benefits and leave questions with professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail.
• Coordinate annual Open Enrollment activities, including employee communications, system updates, vendor coordination, and program administration.
• Partner with the Leaves Specialist and other People Services team members to support consistent administration of leave programs across multiple states.
• Help lead major benefits initiatives, coordinating timelines, stakeholders, communications, systems, and vendor deliverables.
• Maintain accurate HRIS records and support audits and reporting related to benefits, leaves, and compliance requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve benefits processes, communications, and employee understanding.

HR Operations, Analytics & Organizational Effectiveness

• Leverage HR data and reporting to support decision-making, identify trends, and improve People Services programs.
• Support compensation initiatives, including salary benchmarking, market surveys, and compensation analysis.
• Ensure HR data integrity through audits, reporting reviews, and collaboration with Payroll and Benefits partners.
• Partner with Payroll, Benefits, and Talent Acquisition to improve workflows and create scalable solutions.
• Contribute to projects that strengthen People Services operations and organizational effectiveness.

Collaboration, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Build strong working relationships across the organization and serve as a collaborative partner to employees, managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Develop practical resources, training materials, and communications that help employees and managers navigate HR programs and processes.
• Support the implementation of new programs, tools, and process improvements through effective communication and change management.
• Share knowledge, best practices, and subject matter expertise across the People Services team.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience supporting a broad range of HR disciplines.
• Strong experience in HR compliance, benefits administration, employee relations, policy interpretation, and HR operations.
• Experience working directly with benefit carriers, brokers, and vendors to troubleshoot complex issues and drive them through resolution.
• Experience supporting multi-state employment compliance, audits, regulatory reporting, and policy updates.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects, influence stakeholders, and drive process improvements.
• Experience participating in salary surveys, market benchmarking, or related compensation initiatives preferred.
• Advanced HRIS experience required; Paycom experience strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Strong business partnership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate complex situations with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Duties are typically performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk.
• Ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day and communicate over the telephone or virtual meeting platforms.
• May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.
• Work in downtown Seattle office 5 days/week, with flexible work hours between 7 am and 5 pm

Additional Information

Culture and Benefits:

At KPFF, we're not just coworkers; we're a vibrant community fueled by collaborative creativity, offering you the stage to leave a lasting mark through:

• Impact: Your work elevates the employee experience and ensures scalable, compliant operations.
• Autonomy + Support: Enjoy independence within a stable environment and collaborative team.
• Growth: Experience learning opportunities and the freedom to engineer better processes and solutions.
• Community: Be part of a purpose‑driven firm that invests in people and the communities we serve.

Benefits:

We are passionate about supporting our employees through flexible and comprehensive benefits:

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life insurance
• KPFF Paid Family Leave
• Short-term and Long-term disability insurance
• Paid Holidays (including two Floating Holidays)
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, jury duty)
• Subsidized ORCA bus/transit pass

Compensation:

The base salary for this role is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, and skills. The expected range for a qualified candidate with at least 10 years of experience is $105,000 – $120,000 . Additionally, we offer performance-based bonuses to recognize and reward outstanding contributions in each Reporting Center. During the interview process, we'll address any questions you may have about the overall compensation package and benefits.

Work Authorization

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

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KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.