Senior Human Resources Generalist

Job Description

Job Description

Why You’ll Love this Senior HR Generalist Job!

Join us in Northern Michigan - voted one of the best places to live and among the most beautiful regions in the country by multiple publications and television features. We are seeking a Senior HR Generalist to join our Human Resources team based in Traverse City. Discover the true outdoors in Northern Michigan, with a lower cost of living and endless outdoor activities nearby - from beautiful, crystal-blue freshwater lakes, navigable rivers and mountain bike trails in the summer to skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling in the winter. Plus, nearly year-round opportunities to hike, hunt, fish, explore dozens of wineries/breweries, and enjoy all of the unique shopping and dining opportunities across Northern Michigan. We offer competitive pay, paid time off, full benefits, flexible schedules, a learning-based culture, and career growth opportunities.

As a locally owned company, we are proud to offer an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), giving eligible employees the opportunity to build long-term financial security through company ownership while contributing to our shared success. After 90 days of employment, you will become an employee-owner and be eligible for our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which annually allocates company shares to eligible employees on a pre-tax basis; all ESOP shares vest at 20% per year of employment after your first year. Being an employee-owner offers the opportunity to contribute to company decisions and share in our collective success.

Relocation assistance is available to qualified candidates!

Position Summary
The Senior Human Resources Generalist is an experienced, hands-on HR professional who independently manages a broad range of employee relations, benefits, leave, workers' compensation, HRIS, compliance, and employee lifecycle responsibilities. As North Arrow continues to grow across multiple locations, this position serves as a trusted advisor to employees and leaders and helps ensure HR practices are consistent, timely, compliant, and aligned with operational needs. Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the Senior HR Generalist handles complex day-to-day HR matters, leads assigned programs and processes, and provides practical guidance to managers. The role collaborates closely with the HR Coordinator and other internal partners, provides workflow guidance and cross-training as needed, and escalates high-risk, precedent-setting, or strategic matters to the Human Resources Director.

Responsibilities Essential Functions
Employee Relations and Manager Support - 25%

• Serves as a primary HR resource for employees and managers, responding to workplace concerns with professionalism, discretion, consistency, and sound judgment.

• Independently assesses and manages routine and moderately complex employee relations matters, including performance concerns, attendance, conduct, policy interpretation, workplace conflict, and corrective action.

• Conducts or supports workplace investigations, including interviews, documentation review, findings summaries, and recommended next steps in partnership with the Human Resources Director.

• Coaches managers on documentation, performance management, difficult conversations, and consistent application of company policies and practices.

• Provides review of corrective action and prepares separation documentation and participates in employee meetings, including separation discussions, as appropriate.

• Identifies matters involving significant legal, employee safety, reputational, or organizational risk and promptly escalates them to the Human Resources Director.

Benefits Administration - 20%

• Administers employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and voluntary benefit offerings such as Tri-Share.

• Manages benefit enrollments, qualifying life event changes, eligibility audits, benefit terminations, and employee benefit communications.

• Serves as a knowledgeable point of contact for employee benefit questions and resolves enrollment, eligibility, billing, and claims-related concerns with brokers and vendors.

• Coordinates annual open enrollment, including planning, employee education, system preparation, communications, and completion tracking.

• Partners with the Human Resources Director, insurance broker, vendors, Director of Administration and Controller on renewals, plan administration, compliance requirements, and reconciliation issues.

• Develops clear procedures and cross-trains the HR Coordinator to support routine benefit transactions and employee questions.

Leave Administration and Workplace Accommodations - 15%

• Administers and tracks employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, personal leaves, military leave, and other applicable federal, state, and company leave programs.

• Coordinates the interactive process for disability and pregnancy-related accommodation requests in partnership with the Human Resources Director, employees, and operational leaders.

• Communicates eligibility, documentation requirements, deadlines, benefit implications, restrictions, and return-to-work expectations to employees and managers.

• Maintains complete, confidential, and audit-ready leave and accommodation documentation and monitors cases through closure.

• Coordinates return-to-work requirements and temporary restrictions with employees, health care providers, and operational leadership as appropriate.

Workers Compensation Safety and Unemployment - 15%

• Manages workers' compensation claims from initial report through closure, including required reporting, documentation, employee communication, carrier coordination, and follow-up with managers.

• Supports timely evaluation of work restrictions, transitional work, return-to-work planning, and related documentation.

• Tracks workplace incidents and trends and partners with leadership on follow-up actions, safety education, and injury prevention efforts across locations.

• Supports OSHA recordkeeping and required postings and helps maintain accurate safety and incident records.

• Coordinates unemployment claims and hearings, gathers relevant documentation, and prepares timely, accurate responses.

HRIS Compliance and Employee Lifecycle Administration - 15%

• Serves as a senior administrator for BambooHR, Employee Navigator, and related HR systems, maintaining accurate employee data, workflows, permissions, and records.

• Completes and audits employee status changes, compensation changes, transfers, benefit updates, and separations to support accurate payroll and HR records.

• Produces recurring and ad hoc HR reports, monitors data quality, and conducts periodic personnel file and process audits.

• Maintains required personnel documentation, retention practices, labor law postings, and compliance tracking across locations.

• Monitors relevant federal and Michigan employment law developments and recommends updates to practices, forms, communications, or policies.

• Supports employee handbook administration, policy implementation, and HR compliance projects under the direction of the Human Resources Director.

Onboarding, Offboarding and Operational Support - 5%

• Provides experienced HR oversight and backup support for onboarding and offboarding processes, including background checks, employment documentation, system setup, orientation, and separation workflows.

• Ensures employment eligibility, required forms, system entries, benefit notifications, and internal handoffs are completed accurately and on time.

• Cross-trains with the HR Coordinator and operational partners to maintain continuity during absences, high-volume periods, and organizational changes.

HR Projects Process Improvement and Travel - 5%

• Leads or supports HR audits, policy and procedure updates, employee communications, annual initiatives, and process improvement projects.

• Uses HR data and operational feedback to identify recurring issues and recommend practical improvements.

• Builds effective working relationships across all North Arrow locations and travels to company sites as business needs require.

• Performs other duties consistent with the scope and level of the position as assigned.

The percentage allocations listed above are intended to represent the general scope and focus of the role and may be adjusted based on organizational priorities, operational needs, and business demands. Required Skills Required Qualifications

• At least five years of directly related, progressively responsible human resources experience across multiple HR disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience independently handling employee relations matters, performance management, investigations, and policy interpretation.
• Hands-on experience administering employee benefits and at least two of the following areas: leave administration, workplace accommodations, workers' compensation, unemployment, HRIS administration, or HR compliance.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and the ability to apply requirements thoughtfully to workplace situations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex or sensitive information clearly and professionally.
• Strong judgment, discretion, organization, attention to detail, and follow-through in a fast-paced, multi-location environment.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and HR technology systems; ability to learn and administer multiple HR platforms.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel occasionally to North Arrow locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Professional HR certification such as PHR, SHRM-CP, SPHR, or SHRM-SCP.
• Experience with BambooHR, Employee Navigator, or comparable HRIS and benefits platforms.
• Experience supporting a multi-site workforce of 200 or more employees.
• Experience in health care, behavioral health, human services, or the ABA industry.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Independent judgment and practical problem-solving
• Employee relations and conflict management
• Employment law and compliance knowledge
• Benefits, leave, and workers' compensation administration
• HR systems, data accuracy, and process ownership
• Clear documentation and professional communication
• Confidentiality, discretion, and emotional intelligence
• Prioritization, adaptability, accountability, and timely follow-through
• Collaboration, manager coaching, and relationship-building

Role Scope and Decision Making The Senior HR Generalist is expected to independently manage assigned HR programs and routine to moderately complex employee matters within established policies and legal requirements. The position recommends action, documents decisions, and keeps the Human Resources Director informed of emerging themes and material concerns. Matters involving executive and clinical leadership, significant legal exposure, serious allegations, major policy exceptions, precedent-setting decisions, or organizational strategy remain under the direction of the Human Resources Director.Additional ExpectationsSuccess in this role requires consistent reliability, professionalism, responsiveness, accountability, sound judgment, and discretion. The Senior HR Generalist must be comfortable shifting between detailed administration and sensitive employee matters while maintaining accurate work, respectful communication, and timely follow-through. Physical and Work Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires the ability to work in a typical office environment; use standard office equipment; sit or remain stationary for extended periods; move throughout office and work locations; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; read printed materials and computer screens; and communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic platforms.