HR Generalist

Talentfoot is working on an exciting HR Generalist opportunity that will own the HR function for a well established creative agency. This will own the full talent/employee lifecycle while reporting to the Head of Finance. Responsibilities Maintain and audit I-9 records, employee files, and regulatory documentation across all eight states Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, multi-state, and local employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, wage & hour, and workers' compensation Support HR audits, compliance reporting, and initiatives such as diversity certifications Coordinate multi-state leave administration (FMLA, NJ Family Leave Act, and applicable state equivalents) and track balances accurately Administer benefits programs and support open enrollment, including employee communications and vendor coordination Verify employee data, maintain PTO balances, and update payroll and time-tracking systems Serve as the day-to-day liaison with our outsourced HR firm, ensuring alignment and follow-through on shared deliverables Partner with Finance on payroll inputs and flag discrepancies proactively Serve as the first point of contact for employee questions on HR policies, benefits, and procedures Support employee relations matters with discretion, including performance documentation, ADA accommodations, and corrective action Build rapport with distributed employees across all locations, remote doesn't mean disconnected Support managers in navigating HR processes effectively and holding their teams accountable Support full-cycle recruiting, including job postings, resume screening, interview coordination, and offer administration Lead onboarding for new hires from paperwork to first-week check-ins, ensuring a consistent and welcoming experience Maintain updated job descriptions and support workforce planning conversations with leadership Own and build out HR processes, templates, and systems, starting from what exists and improving from there Proactively update the Director of Finance on HR project status, compliance risks, and anything that needs attention Identify gaps in current HR infrastructure and propose solutions. You're building this function, not just maintaining it Qualifications 3–5 years of HR experience, ideally in a small agency, startup, or solo HR role — you know what it means to be the department Solid working knowledge of federal and multi-state employment law (FMLA, ADA, NJLAD, wage & hour, I-9 compliance) Experience administering benefits and supporting open enrollment end-to-end Comfort working with HRIS and/or payroll systems; Paychex experience is a plus Strong project management instincts, you can track moving pieces, set timelines, and communicate progress without being asked Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion A communication style If you're ready to make an impact and take your career to the next level, we’d love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr