The Human Resources Generalist - Corporate plays a pivotal role in supporting the Corporate Human Resources Manager by delivering impactful HR solutions with a specialized focus on learning and development, recruitment, onboarding, and employee engagement. This position demands a dynamic individual with exceptional communication skills, a knack for multitasking, and a passion for cultivating an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture. By partnering with leadership and cross-functional teams, the HR Generalist drives initiatives that enhance employee satisfaction, support career growth, and ensure operational excellence within a fast-paced corporate environment.

General HR Support:

• Maintain and audit employee records and HRIS data with precision, ensuring compliance and generating insightful reports to support decision-making.
• Execute HR standard operating procedures (SOPs), process unemployment claims efficiently and collaborate with IT to manage corporate email group updates.
• Serve as a responsive point of contact for employee inquiries via the corporate HR inbox and oversee job board reviews to maintain visibility and engagement.
• Guide managers through progressive discipline and employee relations matters, documenting processes thoroughly to ensure consistency and fairness.
• Draft, refine, and communicate company policies and handbooks, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, EEO).
• Conduct offboarding processes, stay interviews, and exit interviews to gather actionable insights; assist with investigations and disciplinary actions as needed.
• Collaborate with the Compensation team to design and enhance career paths and succession plans, aligning talent development with organizational goals.
• Champion employee engagement initiatives, including surveys, recognition programs, and morale-boosting activities, while analyzing feedback to improve retention and satisfaction.
• Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts by embedding inclusive practices into HR processes and fostering a welcoming workplace culture.

Recruiting & Onboarding:

• Partner with hiring managers to craft compelling job descriptions and develop targeted posting strategies that attract top-tier talent.
• Work with the Senior Corporate Recruiting Specialist to drive recruitment efforts by managing job postings, sourcing candidates through diverse channels, and coordinating interview schedules seamlessly.
• Complete verifications of employment (VOEs) and leverage applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruitment analytics to optimize hiring processes.
• Ensure a stellar candidate experience from initial outreach to offer acceptance, reinforcing the company’s reputation as an employer of choice.
• Oversee pre-employment processes, including background checks and screenings, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Lead the new hire onboarding experience by coordinating training, collecting and organizing paperwork, and monitoring orientation checklists to set employees up for success.
• Maintain and track I-9 documentation using E-Verify, ensuring timely completion and recertification in accordance with federal regulations.

Learning & Development:

• Collaborate with the Development and Training Specialist to design and facilitate engaging training programs that empower employees at all levels.
• Track training completion rates and compliance metrics, providing detailed reports to leadership to ensure organizational readiness and regulatory adherence.
• Develop high-quality training materials, job aids, and digital resources that enhance learning accessibility and effectiveness.
• Support career development initiatives by creating pathways for leadership and non-leadership growth, aligning training with employee aspirations and business needs.

Alignment:

• Work closely with the Compensation team to benchmark roles accurately, ensuring competitive and equitable pay structures that reflect market standards.
• Review, consolidate, and distribute approved hiring lists to relevant teams, tracking progress to maintain alignment between hiring needs and organizational priorities.

• HR Certification a plus
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Human Resources or related field

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience, with significant expertise in employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, and training facilitation. A strong emphasis on recruiting and learning & development is essential for success in this role.
• Practical understanding of federal and state employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, EEO, I-9 compliance) to ensure adherence and mitigate risks.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to engage effectively with employees, managers, and candidates at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and professional responsiveness to inquiries, fostering positive experiences for employees and candidates alike.
• Resourceful and solution-oriented, with a track record of identifying challenges and implementing practical resolutions.
• Unwavering commitment to maintaining the strict confidentiality of sensitive personnel information.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time
• Occasional movement inside the office to access office cabinets, supplies, and equipment
• Frequent communication and collaboration with employees in person and via email/phone
• Able to exchange clear, accurate information
• Occasionally moves equipment and supplies weighing up to fifteen pounds
• Frequent keyboarding/data entry

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, applicant tracking systems (ATS) and HRIS Experience in Workday is a plus.
• Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) and creating digital training materials is a plus.

Blue River PetCare is a multi-state owner and operator of high-quality veterinary hospitals, with our corporate office located in downtown Chicago. We provide an exit strategy for owners of veterinary hospitals who are looking to reduce the headaches of business and diversify their asset base while continuing to practice or who are seeking to transition their practice as they consider retirement. We believe strongly in the local franchise and work with our hospitals to strengthen their existing hospital brands and carry on the legacies which have been established.

Diversity is embraced at Blue River PetCare and the uniqueness of all individuals is supported. All qualified applicants will be considered for all positions regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or ancestry.

Salary Range: $75,000-$80,000

Blue River PetCare team members are eligible to participate in the discretionary annual bonus program.

Blue River PetCare offers the following benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible & Health Spending Accounts
• Disability, Life Insurance, and Critical Illness Coverage
• Retirement plans with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holidays, and Bereavement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Volunteer Time-off
• Pet Perks with industry vendor partners, including deals on insurance, preventatives, food, and supplies
• Chicago CTA Transit Program Benefits
• Discounted gym memberships for local Chicago team members
• Childcare discounts with KinderCare
• Exclusive travel, entertainment, and retail discounts
• Hybrid and remote opportunities