Senior HR Generalist

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR) supports the nation's second-largest research program within the Veterans Health Administration.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Human Resources Generalist to join our People and Talent team. This is a senior individual-contributor role with broad ownership across HR operations, compliance, and employee support.

At PAVIR, your work supports an organization dedicated to advancing research that benefits Veterans and the broader public. You will have meaningful ownership of HR programs, the opportunity to improve how work gets done, and a direct voice in decisions that affect employees and the organization.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As part of a small HR team, the Senior HR Generalist will independently manage complex and sensitive HR matters while serving as a trusted advisor to employees and managers. The successful candidate will bring deep, hands-on California HR experience, sound judgment, strong technical competence, and the ability to recognize the broader organizational implications of an issue.

This position is well suited for an experienced HR professional who is comfortable working with minimal supervision, managing competing priorities, and making thoughtful recommendations. The ideal candidate is resourceful, adaptable, highly organized, and equally comfortable managing a complex employee matter, analyzing compensation data, coordinating a leave, or improving an inefficient process.

LOCATION

This position may be performed remotely , but the employee must reside in the Pacific Time Zone and work Pacific Time Zone hours . The ideal candidate will be able to work onsite at PAVIR's Palo Alto office one day per week.

BENEFITS

PAVIR offers generous benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, vision, dental, 14 paid holidays, paid vacation time, sick pay,401(k) with a fully vested 6% company match and 3% profit share , wellness program, commuter benefits, and professional development training. Plus, we pay for life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Employee relations and risk management: Advise managers on employee relations, performance, corrective action, and sensitive workplace matters; conduct investigations and recommend practical, well-supported solutions.
• Compensation and job architecture : Help update and redesign job levels and salary structures, conduct market benchmarking, and evaluate promotions, reclassifications, market adjustments, and internal equity concerns.
• Leaves and accommodations : Independently administer complex leaves of absence and workplace accommodations, including coordination among applicable state and federal requirements, wage-replacement programs, payroll, benefits, employees, and managers.
• Benefits administration : Manage open enrollment and ongoing benefits administration, conduct audits and reconciliations, coordinate with payroll and benefit advisors, and support retirement-plan and ACA-related administration.
• Work authorization : Coordinate employment-based immigration and work-authorization matters in partnership with immigration counsel, employees, and managers, including document collection, internal processes, deadlines, and required follow-up.
• Compliance and reporting: Manage HR compliance reporting, audits, data validation, and recordkeeping, including California pay data, EEO-1, VETS-4212, affirmative action, ACA, and other applicable requirements.
• Payroll, Recruiting, HR operations: Process semi-monthly payroll changes (someone else runs payroll), serve as back up for the Sr Recruiter, assist with the administratively intense process of processing VA clearance, process all terminations, workers' compensation claims, personnel transactions, and introduce improvements and automation of HR processes (we're looking for someone who is a hands-on user of AI tools).
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of progressive, hands-on HR generalist experience, including experience independently managing complex employee matters.
• Deep working knowledge of California employment laws, leave requirements, wage-and-hour practices, and HR compliance obligations.
• Demonstrated experience with employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, and manager coaching.
• Experience supporting compensation structures, job leveling, market analysis, promotions, and reclassifications.
• Hands-on experience administering employee benefits and complex leaves of absence.
• Experience coordinating employment-based immigration matters with outside immigration counsel.
• Strong analytical skills and experience validating HR data, preparing compliance reports, and supporting audits.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to evaluate legal, employee, operational, and organizational implications before recommending action.
• Strong project-management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines in a small, busy HR function.
• Ability to communicate clearly and credibly with employees, managers, external advisors, and organizational leaders.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now is preferred.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is preferred.

ABOUT PALO ALTO VETERANS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH (PAVIR)

PAVIR facilitates research and education activities conducted at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. At PAVIR we work with more than 160 uniquely talented medical scientists. We recruit and retain talented employees who believe in making a difference in the lives of others through innovative health research.

READY TO JOIN OUR RESEARCH TEAM?

If you feel that you would be right for this job, please fill out our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application . We look forward to meeting you!

PAVIR is a nonprofit foundation affiliated with the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). As a condition of employment, all PAVIR employees are required to have an approved appointment with VAPAHCS and complete a background check before they can commence work.

PAVIR is pleased to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, Women, Veterans, and Individuals with a Disability are encouraged to apply. We welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io - Human Resources department.