HR Generalist in East Lansing, Michigan at Douglas J Institutes & Salons

We’re looking for an HR Generalist to join our small but mighty HR team of two. This role gets the full mix of HR — supporting employees and leaders across onboarding, benefits, recruiting, engagement, compliance, special projects, and payroll-related support.

At the heart of our HR work is one simple goal: to enhance the employee experience. We want employees and leaders to feel informed, supported, and cared for, and this role helps make that happen through thoughtful communication, strong follow-through, and a genuine willingness to help.

This is a great fit for someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a busy and fast-paced role, and is comfortable working independently while staying connected to the team. We’re looking for someone who can support the day-to-day details of HR while also using technology, strengthening processes, and finding better ways to make work easier for our teams.

What You’ll Do

• Support day-to-day HR operations, including employee records, onboarding, offboarding, HRIS updates, and employee file maintenance.
• Provide payroll-related support, including timekeeping review, personnel changes, PTO/leave entries, reporting, and routine payroll follow-up.
• Assist with benefits administration, open enrollment, employee questions, vendor coordination, and benefit communication.
• Support recruiting efforts, including job postings, candidate communication, interview coordination, offers, and new hire readiness.
• Help bring employee engagement efforts to life through recognition programs, surveys, employee communications, events, and culture-building activities.
• Serve as a helpful HR resource for employees and leaders, answering routine questions and escalating more complex matters as needed.
• Partner with company and location leaders across all locations to support consistent HR practices and strong communication.
• Assist with compliance, leave administration, workers’ compensation documentation, I-9s, policy acknowledgments, reporting, and audits.
• Look for ways to better use HR technology, systems, and processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, communication, and the employee experience.
• Support special projects related to HR systems, employee programs, compliance, training, benefits, recruiting, and payroll support.
• Travel occasionally to company locations for employee support, onboarding, training, events, or HR initiatives.

• 2–4 years of experience in HR, employee administration, benefits, recruiting, payroll support, or people operations.
• Someone who enjoys variety and wants to be involved in the full mix of HR generalist work.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and stay organized in a busy, fast-paced environment.
• Strong interest in enhancing the employee experience through thoughtful support, clear communication, and reliable follow-through.
• Comfort using HR technology and improving processes to make work easier, more accurate, and more efficient.
• Working knowledge of employee records, onboarding, benefits, HRIS systems, payroll support, and HR compliance.
• Experience processing payroll and working with an HRIS system preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, confidentiality, organization, and follow-through.
• Clear, friendly, and professional communication skills with a service-minded approach.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or a related field preferred.
• Paylocity experience and SHRM-CP or PHR certification are a plus, but not required.