Senior Human Resources Generalist

Position – Senior Human Resources Generalist

Location – Bethesda, MD (hybrid)

Job Summary

The Senior Human Resources Generalist is newly opened position within a publicly traded and industry leading financial services firm with an investment portfolio over $90B and award winning company culture including being named consistently as a best company to work for in the DC region. Based out of the company’s headquarters in Bethesda, MD with a hybrid flexible (3 days in office per week), the Senior Human Resources Generalist will report to a Senior Vice President and support the full range of the company’s human resources activities, with a primary focus on benefits administration, employee relations, HR operations, and compliance. The Senior Human Resources Generalist position will offer an attractive compensation package comprised of a base salary range between $115,000 and $130,000, a 10% annual bonus, a 10% company stock plan, and a comprehensive total rewards package including 100% coverage for health insurance and 6% 401K match program. This is an especially unique opportunity for sharp human resources professionals with 6 to 10 years of professional experience including experience within professional services or financial services with benefits administration and HR compliance experience.

Job Description

• Administer company’s benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D, disability, wellness, and voluntary benefits, and serve as the primary point of contact for employees with questions on eligibility, coverage, and claims.
• Lead the annual open enrollment process, including employee communications, education sessions, system configuration, enrollment audits, and post-enrollment reconciliation.
• Process new hire enrollments, qualifying life events, terminations, and COBRA notices accurately and within required timeframes.
• Administer the 401(k) plan, including payroll contribution accuracy, employer matching, eligibility and enrollment tracking, and coordination with the plan recordkeeper and third-party administrators.
• Support annual nondiscrimination testing and Form 5500 preparation with Accounting and outside advisors.
• Administer leaves of absence, including paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, salary continuation, and applicable state paid leave programs, and coordinate related accommodations with employees, managers, and carriers.
• Reconcile monthly carrier and vendor invoices against enrollment records and payroll deductions, and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with benefits brokers, carriers, and vendors, and support annual renewals, plan design analysis, and market benchmarking.
• Support compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, and related requirements, including required notices, summary plan descriptions, plan documents, and audit requests.
• Maintain current, clear benefits materials for employees, including the benefits guide, enrollment instructions, and intranet content.
• Serve as a first point of contact for employee and manager questions on HR policies, programs, and processes, escalating sensitive matters as appropriate.
• Support employee relations matters, including performance concerns, workplace conflict, accommodation requests, and separations.
• Coordinate payroll inputs with the payroll provider, including new hires, compensation changes, deductions, and terminations, and review payroll registers for accuracy.
• Maintain the integrity of employee data in the HR information system, and prepare reports and metrics on headcount, turnover, and benefits utilization.
• Coordinate new hire onboarding and offboarding, including offer letters, background checks, I-9 verification, orientation, and system access.
• Support recruiting activities, including job postings, conducting initial culture screening as applicable, candidate scheduling and communication, and coordination with external recruiters.
• Support the annual performance review, compensation, and bonus processes, including data collection, timeline management, and manager communications.
• Assist with employee engagement, culture, and recognition initiatives, including participation in workplace surveys and certifications, and coordinate firmwide events.
• Maintain and update the employee handbook and HR policies, and recommend revisions as laws, regulations, and business needs change.
• Monitor federal, state, and local employment laws, and support compliance with wage and hour requirements, employee classification, leave obligations, required postings, EEO reporting, and records retention.
• Support internal and external audits, including benefits, 401(k), I-9, and insurance audits, and prepare related filings and documentation.
• Maintain employee files and confidential records in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and firm policy.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree is required; a concentration in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• 6-7 years of progressive human resources experience, including hands-on benefits administration, is required.
• Strong working knowledge of benefits administration, including open enrollment, 401(k) plan administration, leave administration, COBRA, and the related requirements of ERISA, ACA, and HIPAA, is required.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including ADA and FLSA, is required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required.
• Must be comfortable partnering with managers and members of senior management, and able to build relationships across the organization and with external vendors and carriers.
• Must possess strong decision-making skills, a high level of integrity and sound judgment, and a keen sensitivity to appropriate handling of confidential information, including employee medical and personal data.

Preferred Qualification (not required)

• Experience at a publicly traded company is preferred but not required.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, benefits administration, and applicant tracking platforms, such as ADP, UKG, or iCIMS, is a strong plus.
• SHRM-CP or PHR certification, or an equivalent advanced degree, or a CEBS designation or WorldatWork certification is an added benefit, but not required for this role.
• Generalist experience in a financial services firm, professional services firm, or similar corporate environment is preferred.