Senior HR Generalist

Position Overview

Ultimate Staffing Services is actively seeking a Senior HR Generalist to join a dynamic team in Durham, North Carolina. This role is pivotal in supporting all aspects of HR operations, with a strong emphasis on high-volume recruiting, employee relations, and employee engagement. The successful candidate will act as the primary HR resource in a vibrant sports and entertainment environment , working closely with leadership to drive talent acquisition, maintain compliance, support workforce needs, and foster a positive employee experience.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced setting, enjoys building relationships across all levels of an organization, and is comfortable balancing strategic HR initiatives with day-to-day operational responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Manage the full-cycle recruitment process for full-time, part-time, seasonal, and internship positions.
• Partner with leadership and hiring managers to identify staffing needs and develop effective recruiting strategies.
• Source candidates through job boards, LinkedIn, social media, employee referrals, networking events, college partnerships, and job fairs.
• Conduct candidate screenings and coordinate interviews with hiring managers.
• Lead large-scale seasonal hiring initiatives, including job fairs and recruiting events.
• Maintain talent pipelines for key positions and future hiring needs.
• Coordinate onboarding activities to ensure a positive and seamless new hire experience.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for onboarding coordination between HR, hiring managers, and IT.
• Develop and implement onboarding plans for seasonal, internship, and full-time positions.
• Monitor recruiting metrics, hiring trends, candidate flow, and time-to-fill data.
• Ensure a positive candidate experience throughout the hiring process.

Employee Relations

• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to managers and employees on policies, procedures, and employee concerns.
• Conduct employee relations investigations and assist with conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and performance-related matters.
• Properly document investigations and partner with legal and corporate HR resources when necessary.
• Support performance management processes and coach leaders on employee development and retention strategies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and organizational policies.
• Assist with HR process improvements, training initiatives, and organizational development programs.
• Partner with managers to improve seasonal employee retention and return rates.

Employee Engagement

• Develop and lead employee engagement initiatives that strengthen workplace culture and employee satisfaction.
• Plan and execute employee recognition programs, appreciation events, team-building activities, and wellness initiatives.
• Gather and analyze employee feedback to identify opportunities for improving engagement and retention.
• Partner with leadership to implement programs that enhance the overall employee experience.

HR Operations

• Support day-to-day HR activities and workforce initiatives.
• Provide guidance on payroll, timesheet, PTO, and policy-related questions.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation.
• Collaborate with corporate HR partners on benefits, compliance, and broader organizational initiatives.
• Assist with special projects and other HR-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of high-volume recruiting experience.
• Minimum 5 years of employee relations experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and managing employee relations matters.
• Proven ability to recruit for a variety of positions, including seasonal, hourly, and professional-level roles.
• Experience using HRIS and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• High attention to detail and strong documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or SPHR certification.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now.
• Experience recruiting in sports, entertainment, hospitality, events, or other high-volume environments.
• Experience partnering with colleges, universities, internship programs, or campus recruiting initiatives.
• Passion for sports and live events.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Onsite office environment.
• Standard offseason schedule typically follows normal business hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
• During the season, regular evening and weekend work is required to support game-day operations and workforce needs.
• Schedule flexibility is provided based on seasonal demands.
• Frequent interaction with employees, managers, vendors, and external partners.
• Fast-paced environment with seasonal fluctuations in recruiting and staffing volume.

Top Priorities for Success

1. High-Volume Talent Acquisition (Approximately 50% of the Role)

• Lead large-scale seasonal hiring efforts, including filling hundreds of positions within tight hiring windows.
• Manage multiple recruiting workflows simultaneously while ensuring a positive candidate experience.
• Recruit both seasonal staff and specialized full-time positions across business functions.

2. Employee Relations

• Conduct compliant and well-documented investigations.
• Partner with leadership and corporate resources on sensitive employee matters, legal concerns, and policy interpretation.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees.

3. Employee Engagement

• Create and execute programs that build culture, boost morale, and improve retention.
• Lead employee recognition events, appreciation programs, and team-building initiatives.

Benefits

• 401k
• PTO
• Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Other perks!

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.