HR Generalist Job Description Template (Free, 2026)

HR Generalist Location: [City, State] / Hybrid Department: Human Resources Reports to: HR Manager or VP of People Employment Type: Full-time Salary: $55,000 - $80,000 per year About the Role We are looking for a capable and proactive HR Generalist to join our People team. As an HR Generalist at [Company Name], you will manage a broad set of HR functions - from employee relations and performance management to recruiting support and compliance. You will serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers alike, helping us build a workplace where people can do their best work. Responsibilities - Serve as a primary point of contact for employee relations issues, providing guidance, facilitating conversations, and escalating when appropriate - Support the full recruiting process: posting roles, reviewing applications, conducting phone screens, coordinating interviews, and extending offers - Lead onboarding for new hires, ensuring a consistent and engaging experience from offer acceptance through the first 90 days - Administer and explain benefits programs (health, dental, vision, 401k, FSA); support annual open enrollment - Manage the performance review cycle, including calibration support, manager coaching, and documentation - Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment law, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and EEO requirements - Develop, update, and communicate HR policies and the employee handbook - Maintain accurate employee data in the HRIS and generate reporting as needed - Collaborate with Finance on headcount planning and compensation benchmarking - Support offboarding processes including exit interviews, final pay, and benefits continuation - Identify training needs and coordinate learning and development programs Requirements - Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field - 3-5 years of HR Generalist experience, ideally in a company with 100-500 employees - Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment law - Experience with HRIS platforms (BambooHR, Workday, Rippling, ADP, or similar) - Demonstrated experience handling sensitive employee relations situations with professionalism - Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills - SHRM-CP or PHR certification is a plus Nice to Have - Multi-state HR compliance experience - Experience supporting a high-growth or scaling organization - Exposure to compensation benchmarking tools (Radford, Levels.fyi, or similar) - Experience as a solo HR professional (HR team of one) in an SMB What We Offer - Salary range of $55,000 - $80,000 depending on experience - Health, dental, and vision insurance - 401(k) with company match - [X] days of PTO plus company holidays - SHRM or HRCI certification fee reimbursement - Professional development allowance - Flexible hybrid work arrangement [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.