HR Associate at Europa Eyewear – Vernon Hills, Illinois

Role Description

We are seeking an HR Associate to support the full employee lifecycle and help strengthen our people operations as we scale. This role will partner closely with employees to provide HR expertise across employee relations, recruiting, payroll support, onboarding/offboarding, performance management, and compliance. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering exceptional employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Serve as a first point of contact for employee inquiries, providing guidance and escalating issues as needed.
• Support investigations and documentation related to employee relations matters.

Recruiting & Talent Acquisition

• Manage full cycle recruiting for assigned roles, including job postings, interview coordination, candidate communication, and offer preparation.
• Partner with hiring managers to ensure a smooth and consistent hiring process.

Payroll & HRIS Support

• Assist with payroll processing and audits to ensure timely, accurate pay.
• Maintain employee data in ADP and support HRIS reporting and updates.

Onboarding & Offboarding

• Coordinate and execute the onboarding process for new hires, ensuring an exceptional first-day experience.
• Manage offboarding tasks, including system changes, exit interviews, and documentation.

Performance Management

• Support the administration of performance review cycles, goal setting, and employee development tools.
• Track completion of performance processes and assist managers with documentation.

Compliance & HR Administration

• Ensure HR files, processes, and policies remain compliant with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and audit-ready documentation.
• Support benefits administration and annual open enrollment activities.

Competencies Needed for Success

Employee Relations & Communication: Ability to handle sensitive employee issues, communicate clearly, build trust, and support a positive workplace culture.

Attention to Detail & Data Accuracy: Strong accuracy in handling HRIS updates, compliance documents, and reporting—especially with ADP and Excel.

Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Capable of assessing situations, identifying root causes, and offering practical, compliant solutions quickly.

Organizational & Project Management Skills: Ability to manage multiple priorities—recruiting, onboarding, performance cycles, ER tasks—while meeting deadlines.

Confidentiality & Professional Judgment: Maintains discretion, handles sensitive information appropriately, and exercises sound judgment in all HR interactions.

Required Qualifications

Position Details

EEO Statement

Europa Eyewear is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please contact HR at 800-621-4108 and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs. You must have legal authorization to work for Europa Eyewear on your date of hire with no further action required by Europa Eyewear. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and give consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information.

About the Europa Eyewear Platform

The Europa eyewear platform is committed to empowering independent-thinking eyecare professionals with unique, high-quality, independent eyewear brands and partner-first support. We are equally committed to empowering our own team, ensuring they have the support, freedom, and opportunities to grow. Through collaborative partnerships, we help our customers grow and succeed, fostering a community of shared vision.

Europa Eyewear, based in Vernon Hills, IL, is one of the largest independent designers and manufacturers of eyewear frames in the United States. Europa offers a diverse portfolio of 10 independent eyewear brands, including STATE Optical Co. and American Optical (AO Eyewear), which the company acquired in 2019. Europa also built and maintains the largest eyewear manufacturing facility in the United States.

In 2023, Europa partnered with Blue Point Capital Partners, a Cleveland-based mid-market Private Equity firm, to build an industry leading eyewear platform. In April of the same year, eyebobs, the Premium Reading Glass brand, was acquired adding new ecommerce capabilities necessary to serve the omnichannel marketplace.