Human Resources Business Partner

Position: Human Resources Business Partner
Department: Human Resources
Location: Chicago, Illinois

The Study at the University of Chicago is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented Human Resources Business Partner to lead and execute all Human Resources functions for the hotel and restaurant.

This comprehensive, hands-on leadership role is responsible for managing the full employee lifecycle while supporting operational priorities and advancing HR initiatives aligned with Study Hotels' culture and business objectives.

The HR Business Partner is a key member of the property's senior leadership team and partners closely with the General Manager and department leaders to support workforce planning, operational performance, and team member engagement.

This role will proactively identify staffing needs, build strong candidate pipelines, and lead the recruitment and onboarding of hospitality professionals who reflect Study Hotels' culture and service standards. In addition to talent acquisition, the HR Business Partner also oversees payroll, employee relations, benefits administration, performance management, compliance, and the implementation of Home Office HR strategies. Success requires sound judgment, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, on-site hospitality environment.

Our caring and attentive associates reinforce our belief that guest service and internal partnership are our highest priorities. We seek a service-oriented HR professional who is passionate about recruiting exceptional talent, building strong teams, and fostering a positive workplace culture.

HR Operations Snapshot

• Full-service hotel and restaurant operation
• Significant focus on talent acquisition and workforce planning
• Oversight of recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and employee relations
• Cross-functional partnership with hotel leadership and Home Office
• Fast-paced hospitality environment with multiple priorities
• Focus on compliance, consistency, retention, and the team member experience

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all Human Resources functions for the hotel and restaurant, including recruiting, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, and compliance.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the General Manager and property leadership team, supporting operational performance, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and team member engagement.
• Own talent acquisition for the property, leading all full-cycle recruiting efforts from workforce planning and sourcing through interviewing, hiring, and onboarding. Partner closely with department leaders to proactively identify staffing needs, build talent pipelines, reduce time-to-fill, and ensure every hire aligns with Study Hotels' culture, service standards, and operational goals.
• Develop and execute proactive sourcing strategies to attract qualified candidates for hotel, restaurant, culinary, leadership, and other operational positions.
• Maintain consistent communication with hiring managers and candidates throughout the recruitment process, delivering an organized, responsive, and positive candidate experience.
• Coordinate and oversee new-hire onboarding, orientation, employment documentation, background screening, and other pre-employment requirements.
• Own the full-cycle payroll process, ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely submission. Responsibilities include auditing time records, reviewing pay codes, processing adjustments, and resolving discrepancies.
• Oversee benefits administration, including the enrollment of newly eligible team members, qualifying life events, employee inquiries, and adherence to Affordable Care Act compliance requirements.
• Lead the property's performance management process, including annual reviews, coaching, corrective and disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and employee development planning.
• Provide guidance and support to managers on employee relations matters, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly, consistently, fairly, and in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Conduct or support workplace investigations, document findings, recommend appropriate action, and maintain confidentiality throughout the process.
• Implement and execute Home Office HR initiatives, policies, procedures, and programs to support consistency and alignment across the Study Hotels portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, wage and hour requirements, payroll regulations, and recordkeeping obligations.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date personnel files, payroll records, benefits documentation, performance records, and other employment-related information.
• Monitor HR and recruiting metrics, including staffing levels, open positions, time-to-fill, turnover, retention, and employee relations activity. Provide reporting and actionable insights to property and Home Office leadership.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, service-oriented, and high-performance work environment that supports team member engagement, professional development, and retention.
• Partner cross-functionally with department leaders to anticipate operational needs and promote consistent HR practices throughout the property.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Fundamentals

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field required.
• Experience: Minimum of three to five years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably within hospitality, restaurants, or another service-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated success managing full-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, interviewing, selection, hiring, and onboarding.
• Ability to develop candidate pipelines and support recruiting for multiple positions and departments simultaneously.
• Experience partnering with hiring managers to assess staffing needs and develop effective recruitment strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple HR functions, including recruiting, payroll, benefits, performance management, and employee relations.
• Hands-on experience processing payroll with full ownership from review and audit through final submission.
• Strong working knowledge of benefits administration and Affordable Care Act compliance requirements.
• Experience working with HRIS and payroll platforms; ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of federal, Illinois, and Chicago employment laws, wage and hour requirements, and payroll regulations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Excellent organizational, written communication, verbal communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build credibility with candidates, team members, managers, and senior leaders.
• Ability to exercise discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced, on-site environment.

About Us

The Study at the University of Chicago is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, directly across from the University of Chicago campus.

Designed to foster discovery, connection, and thoughtful hospitality, the hotel offers contemporary guest rooms, inviting public spaces, and an atmosphere that reflects the academic and cultural character of the surrounding community.

The property is home to Truth Be Told, a welcoming restaurant and tavern serving approachable food and beverages in a lively neighborhood setting. The hotel also offers flexible meeting and event spaces for university gatherings, corporate meetings, conferences, weddings, and social events, supported by the property's dedicated culinary and hospitality teams.

Eligible full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, and paid holidays. Team members may also participate in our 401(k) retirement savings plan and Employee Assistance Program.

Study Hotels is a drug-free workplace. A pre-employment drug test and background check are required.

Study Hotels is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Keywords: Human Resources Business Partner, HR Business Partner, HR Manager, Hospitality HR, Hotel Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Full-Cycle Recruiting, Hospitality Recruiting, Payroll, Employee Relations, HR Generalist, Benefits Administration, ADP Workforce Now