Human Resources Generalist

Job Title : HR Generalist

Industry : Higher Education Services

Location : Chicago, IL

Assignment Type : Temporary Contract – Through End of Year

Pay : $24–$28/hour

Work Schedule : Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week. Hybrid schedule requiring 2–3 days onsite per week.

Benefits : This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

About The Company:

Our client is an established organization providing technology-driven solutions and professional services to colleges and universities. The company partners with higher education institutions to support enrollment, student success, marketing, and operational initiatives.

With a collaborative team and a mission centered on advancing higher education, this organization offers a professional environment where employees can contribute to meaningful work while supporting continued organizational growth.

Job Description:

We are seeking a detail-oriented HR Generalist to provide hands-on support to a busy Human Resources department during a temporary assignment through the end of the year. This position will play an important role in maintaining daily HR operations, assisting employees with benefits and payroll questions, and supporting the annual open enrollment process.

The ideal candidate has strong experience with Paylocity, benefits administration, and employee-facing HR support. This individual should be comfortable managing multiple priorities independently, troubleshooting HRIS issues, and ensuring accurate employee information across payroll and benefits systems.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional who enjoys a broad generalist role and can quickly contribute to a collaborative HR team.

Key Responsibilities:

Benefits Administration & Open Enrollment

• Serve as a primary resource for employees regarding health and welfare benefits, eligibility requirements, and enrollment procedures.
• Assist with annual open enrollment activities, including employee communications, enrollment guidance, and processing benefit elections.
• Coordinate employee benefit changes related to new hires, terminations, and qualifying life events.
• Investigate and resolve benefit-related discrepancies, including coverage issues, enrollment errors, and carrier questions.
• Partner with insurance providers and benefit administrators to address employee concerns and ensure accurate coverage information.
• Maintain employee benefit records and verify information is accurately reflected across internal and external systems.

Payroll Administration & Employee Support

• Prepare and enter payroll-related updates, including new hires, separations, compensation adjustments, bonuses, stipends, and employee deductions.
• Maintain accurate payroll information and coordinate changes for review and approval.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding paychecks, tax withholding, direct deposit, and payroll deductions.
• Research payroll discrepancies and assist with corrections as needed.
• Ensure employee payroll records remain accurate and up to date.

HRIS & Systems Management

• Maintain employee information within Paylocity, including HR, payroll, benefits, and timekeeping modules.
• Process employee status changes, update personnel records, and manage routine HR system workflows.
• Troubleshoot system-related issues and assist with maintaining accurate data across HR platforms.
• Coordinate enrollment and eligibility updates with benefits vendors and third-party administrators.
• Reconcile information between HRIS, payroll, and external benefit systems to identify and correct inconsistencies.

Leave Administration

• Assist employees with leave-related questions, documentation, and initial requests.
• Support the administration of FMLA, short-term disability, and other applicable leave programs.
• Coordinate with leave administrators and insurance carriers to track employee leave status.
• Maintain accurate leave records, important dates, and required documentation.
• Follow up on outstanding paperwork and assist with employee return-to-work coordination.

Benefits Billing & Reconciliation

• Review monthly benefits invoices to confirm accurate employee enrollment and billing information.
• Compare carrier records against internal HR and payroll systems.
• Identify discrepancies involving eligibility, coverage, and employee deductions.
• Work with vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve billing or enrollment inconsistencies.

General HR Support

• Monitor the HR inbox and provide timely responses to routine employee questions.
• Serve as an approachable point of contact for employees seeking assistance with HR policies, benefits, payroll, and systems.
• Escalate sensitive or complex matters to HR leadership when appropriate.
• Assist with year-end HR initiatives, administrative projects, and departmental priorities.
• Maintain confidential employee records and ensure accuracy across HR documentation.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in an HR Generalist, HR Coordinator, HR Specialist, or comparable human resources position.
• Hands-on experience with Paylocity required, including HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration.
• Previous benefits administration experience required.
• Experience supporting at least one annual open enrollment cycle required.
• Strong understanding of employee benefits, eligibility requirements, enrollment changes, and carrier coordination.
• Experience processing payroll updates and responding to employee payroll inquiries.
• Familiarity with leave administration, including FMLA and short-term disability.
• Experience reconciling benefits invoices and maintaining accurate employee records.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot HR systems and resolve employee-related questions.
• High level of accuracy, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Experience working with benefits platforms, including health insurance, HSA/FSA, retirement, and COBRA administration, is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Additional Details:

• Temporary assignment anticipated to continue to end of the year
• Hybrid schedule requiring 2–3 days onsite in downtown Chicago.
• Reports directly to HR leadership.
• Opportunity to support annual open enrollment and important year-end HR initiatives.

Perks:

• Hybrid work flexibility.
• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience across multiple HR functions.
• Direct collaboration with HR leadership.
• Collaborative, professional work environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization supporting higher education.

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Addison Group complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.