Trainee, HR Generalist

Background
Location: Chicago, IL (303 E Wacker Dr., Suite 2200)
Type: Full-time temporary position (six months); potentially leading to permanent position
Practice: Talent
Reports to: Manger, Talent & HR

Overview
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the empty space between marketing campaigns and consumers – helping brands make more meaningful connections. Our industry-leading team includes 200+ team members supporting 50+ clients with services spanning content production, experiential and event marketing, hospitality, brand and partnership consulting, creative, social and digital marketing, and platform development. We also own and operate event properties across the professional and collegiate sports landscape, focused on sports including basketball, football, golf, pickleball, and volleyball.

Intersport is seeking to add an enthusiastic and ambitious Trainee, Talent & HR to its Talent team. The Trainee should have (0-1 years’ experience) and will serve in a full-time position, assisting the Talent team across a breadth of functions. The Talent team’s mission is to attract, develop, and retain top talent in Chicago and among remote locations alike. The Trainee will assist the company’s day-to-day HR function and this role will allow an entry-level HR professional to apply knowledge and develop experience in areas including payroll and benefits; administration, reporting, and compliance; performance management, team member relations; onboarding; and learning and development.

The Trainee program is the means for entry-level hiring for Intersport. A Trainee position is full-time, with salary and benefits, and covers a period of six months. At the conclusion of the six-month period, a Trainee is hired on to a permanent position based on a number of factors: 1) their performance as a Trainee, 2) Intersport’s company performance, and 3) macroeconomic conditions. A Trainee position is by definition a training position – one in which they will be taught while doing real work. A Trainee must make a discernable impact and prove themselves; it is not in any way an internship position. The Trainee program is competitive by design and its purpose is hire the very best entry-level talent and grow that talent into a permanent team member of increasing responsibility and career advancement, over time.

Responsibilities
General

• Embody and reflect Intersport’s performance-based culture and commit him/herself and team to the highest standards for all agency work
• Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver executional excellence

Payroll

• Learn with the goal of being able to serve as back-up for interfacing/opening state payroll; full-time and part-time team members, etc.; and occasionally process HRIS changes

Benefits Administration

• Learn with the goal of being able to serve as back-up for support, as needed, with annual benefits open enrollment process and aid team members in benefit selection and troubleshooting
• Assist in tracking employee leave (e.g. FMLA and similar) according to policies and procedures; assist with the processing of short- and long-term disability information for all new claims, facilitates necessary information relating to unemployment insurance claims, and maintain and update appropriate records
• Assist with general questions regarding benefits, open enrollment, HR policies and procedures

Reporting and Compliance

• Assist with c ompliance calendar to ensure federal, state, and local reports are completed and submitted on schedule (e.g. 5500, EEO-1, etc.)

Team Member Engagement

• Learning & Development: assist in “One Company” and committee planning and execution, Mentor Program, fireside chats, coffee sessions, etc.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Planning and Response: assist in identifying staffing needs and related pipeline, recruiting, and hiring activity

Team Member Relations

• Onboarding: assist in the onboarding process and oversee quality assurance (e.g. complete background checks and necessary forms – IT/hardware, desk location, etc.)
• Offboarding: assist in the offboarding process for voluntary transitions out of company
• Under-Performance and Conflict Resolution: observe and learn how to facilitate with department leaders and managers to resolution; performance improvement plans, etc. and manage workplace issues to include disciplinary actions in compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations
• Involuntary departures: help gather separation data, finalize separation agreement, hold termination meetings/calls, provide assistance to affected team member(s)
• Recognition: develop recognition strategies and administer programs that celebrate our team members

Performance Management

• Programming: interface with company HRIS platform, facilitate troubleshooting on behalf of company/team members, serve as a go-to resource to answer questions
• Administer: support the implementation of annual performance review and goal setting processes

Data Analysis

• Metrics: compile and analyze HR metrics, (e.g. turnover rates and other considerations) and to support strategic decision-making internally
• Reports: prepare reports for Talent and senior leadership on workforce trends, performance, and engagement

Salary and Benefits 
The salary for this position is $45,000. If, after the six-month Trainee period the Trainee is converted to a permanent employee, the title is adjusted to Coordinator, Talent & HR and the salary is adjusted to $47,500. 
 
This position includes medical, dental, vision, parental leave benefits, and 401(k) with company match for qualified employees. 
 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR required
• Zero (0) to one (1) years’ experience in an HR generalist capacity; a plus if experience is at an agency, brand, media company, sports or entertainment property, or related organization
• An enthusiastic and friendly personality with ambition and the propensity to take initiative
• Ability to manage multiple programs/projects concurrently, inclusive of a highly detail oriented and organized approach
• Desire to work in a fluid, entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment
• Proactive, team player with a strong work ethic
• Must be accurate and thorough, a propensity with numbers is a plus
• Must employ a mature and reliable demeanor and be entrusted with high-level and confidential information while working with appropriate discretion
• Must demonstrate a commitment to best serving our team members and assisting in their success and development

Intersport is an Equal Opportunity Employer.