Indian River State College
Senior Human Resources Generalist
Indian River State College, Florida, New York, United States
Talent Acquisition Partner @ Indian River State College | MBA
Senior HR Generalist — HR Operations & Employee Experience Leader
About The River & Our Transformation Story
At The River (Indian River State College), we are more than an academic institution — we are a force for transformation in education, work, and community prosperity. As a nationally recognized leader and recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, we are shaping the future of learning while driving innovation in how colleges serve students, employees, and society.
Our HR transformation is central to this journey. We are:
Building a Future-Ready HR Function
Elevating HR into a strategic driver of growth, culture, and performance.
Reimagining how we attract, engage, and grow talent at every level.
Redesigning the Employee Experience
Creating seamless, digital-first HR services that empower employees and managers.
Ensuring every interaction with HR reflects fairness, clarity, and belonging.
Scaling with Purpose
Implementing modern systems (Workday, ADP) and shared services infrastructure to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
Aligning HR with world-class benchmarks — from Fortune 500 enterprises to award-winning cultures — while staying true to our mission-driven values.
Driving Cultural Renewal
Embedding leadership principles and accountability.
Making The River a place where employees are inspired to perform, belong, and grow.
As a Senior HR Generalist, you will be at the center of this transformation — turning our strategy into reality by building operational excellence and shaping the everyday experience of our people.
Why Join Us
Joining The River as a Senior HR Generalist offers a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact while building something from the ground up. Here’s what makes this role compelling:
Purpose & Mission
Your work will directly support our mission of transforming lives through education and community impact. Every policy you shape, every employee you support, and every process you design will ripple outward into student success.
Opportunity to Build
This is not a role of maintenance or status quo. You will have the opportunity — and expectation — to design and improve systems, policies, and services. You will see your ideas implemented at scale.
Employee Experience Champion
You will play a direct role in how employees experience The River, ensuring that HR is known not just for compliance, but for care, responsiveness, and innovation.
Culture of Belonging & Accountability
You’ll help create an environment where employees feel valued, managers feel supported, and leadership sets a clear, inspiring tone.
This role will expand your skills across the full HR lifecycle, preparing you for future HR leadership roles. You will gain visibility, influence, and the chance to leave a legacy.
We value the well-being and professional growth of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
Health & Wellness:
Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, supplemental plans, and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Affordable Coverage:
PPO/HMO options starting at just $50/month for individual coverage and $180/month for family coverage.
Retirement Security:
Participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), plus tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) options.
Time for You:
Generous paid vacation, personal, and sick leave to support work-life balance.
Perks & Discounts:
Reduced rates on services and tickets to local attractions.
Growth & Development:
Professional development programs, leadership training, and opportunities to advance your career.
At The River, you will not just process HR tasks — you will help design and deliver the employee experience of the future, ensuring our people have the clarity, support, and culture they need to thrive.
Purpose of the Role
At The River, the Senior HR Generalist role is not an administrative back-office function — it is a front-line leadership position that connects employees, managers, and HR strategy in meaningful ways. This role blends operational excellence with a relentless focus on the employee experience, ensuring that every interaction with HR reinforces our values, strengthens our culture, and drives organizational performance.
The Senior HR Generalist will serve as both a builder and operator:
Building the shared services foundation of HR — policies, processes, and systems that scale.
Leading employee relations, compliance, and workforce support with fairness, rigor, and compassion.
Acting as a first point of contact and trusted advisor for employees and managers, solving problems with speed and clarity.
Driving forward the professionalization of HR operations at The River — raising the standard of service, data quality, and accountability.
This role requires someone who is energized by both big-picture transformation and day-to-day execution, who thrives in ambiguity, and who is motivated by the opportunity to shape an HR function into a modern, employee-centered, and high-performing engine.
What You Will Build & Lead
As a Senior HR Generalist, you will:
Shared Services Infrastructure
Establish scalable, efficient processes across the employee lifecycle — onboarding, benefits, leaves of absence, performance reviews, offboarding, and more.
Create clarity, documentation, and automation that make HR services simple, transparent, and user-friendly.
Employee Relations & Experience
Serve as the first line of response for employee relations issues, providing guidance, mediation, and resolution rooted in both fairness and organizational values.
Lead investigations, grievances, and compliance matters with professionalism, rigor, and consistency.
Actively shape the employee experience, ensuring HR interactions leave employees feeling supported and valued.
Operational Excellence & Data Integrity
Raise the bar for HR data quality, compliance, and reporting, ensuring we can rely on our systems to make sound decisions.
Partner with HRIS and People Analytics colleagues to ensure smooth system operations and leverage data for insights.
Manager Support & Capability Building
Provide hands-on guidance and coaching to managers on policies, employee relations, and performance management.
Build managers’ confidence and consistency in handling employee issues, helping them grow as people leaders.
Process Improvement & Automation
Identify inefficiencies in existing HR workflows and proactively design improvements.
Embrace digital tools and automation to simplify work, reduce errors, and enhance service delivery.
Experience & Qualifications
We are seeking an HR professional who blends operational mastery with people-centered leadership. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
HR Experience & Breadth
5–8 years of progressive HR experience, with a strong background in employee relations, HR operations, and compliance.
Prior experience supporting medium-to-large organizations with complex HR environments.
Employee Relations Expertise
Hands-on experience managing investigations, grievances, terminations, performance cases, and workplace conflict.
Ability to resolve sensitive issues with fairness, confidentiality, and alignment to values.
Operational & Compliance Knowledge
Working knowledge of FMLA, FERPA, ADA, Title IX, EEO, wage & hour, and other employment regulations.
Proven ability to ensure compliance while maintaining a positive employee experience.
Process Improvement & HR Technology
Experience creating, improving, and automating HR workflows.
Proficiency with HRIS systems (Workday and/or ADP strongly preferred).
Manager Coaching & Support
Demonstrated ability to coach, advise, and build capability in managers at multiple levels.
Skilled at balancing organizational accountability with employee care.
Mindset & Values Alignment
A proactive, roll-up-your-sleeves problem solver who thrives in building from scratch.
Deep alignment with The River’s values: service excellence, inclusion, innovation, accountability, and community.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field required.
HR certifications (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR) preferred.
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Human Resources
Industries
Human Resources Services and Business Consulting and Services
Port St Lucie, FL; $65,000.00-$90,000.00
Get notified when a new job is posted.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About The River & Our Transformation Story
At The River (Indian River State College), we are more than an academic institution — we are a force for transformation in education, work, and community prosperity. As a nationally recognized leader and recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, we are shaping the future of learning while driving innovation in how colleges serve students, employees, and society.
Our HR transformation is central to this journey. We are:
Building a Future-Ready HR Function
Elevating HR into a strategic driver of growth, culture, and performance.
Reimagining how we attract, engage, and grow talent at every level.
Redesigning the Employee Experience
Creating seamless, digital-first HR services that empower employees and managers.
Ensuring every interaction with HR reflects fairness, clarity, and belonging.
Scaling with Purpose
Implementing modern systems (Workday, ADP) and shared services infrastructure to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
Aligning HR with world-class benchmarks — from Fortune 500 enterprises to award-winning cultures — while staying true to our mission-driven values.
Driving Cultural Renewal
Embedding leadership principles and accountability.
Making The River a place where employees are inspired to perform, belong, and grow.
As a Senior HR Generalist, you will be at the center of this transformation — turning our strategy into reality by building operational excellence and shaping the everyday experience of our people.
Why Join Us
Joining The River as a Senior HR Generalist offers a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact while building something from the ground up. Here’s what makes this role compelling:
Purpose & Mission
Your work will directly support our mission of transforming lives through education and community impact. Every policy you shape, every employee you support, and every process you design will ripple outward into student success.
Opportunity to Build
This is not a role of maintenance or status quo. You will have the opportunity — and expectation — to design and improve systems, policies, and services. You will see your ideas implemented at scale.
Employee Experience Champion
You will play a direct role in how employees experience The River, ensuring that HR is known not just for compliance, but for care, responsiveness, and innovation.
Culture of Belonging & Accountability
You’ll help create an environment where employees feel valued, managers feel supported, and leadership sets a clear, inspiring tone.
This role will expand your skills across the full HR lifecycle, preparing you for future HR leadership roles. You will gain visibility, influence, and the chance to leave a legacy.
We value the well-being and professional growth of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
Health & Wellness:
Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, supplemental plans, and access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Affordable Coverage:
PPO/HMO options starting at just $50/month for individual coverage and $180/month for family coverage.
Retirement Security:
Participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), plus tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) options.
Time for You:
Generous paid vacation, personal, and sick leave to support work-life balance.
Perks & Discounts:
Reduced rates on services and tickets to local attractions.
Growth & Development:
Professional development programs, leadership training, and opportunities to advance your career.
At The River, you will not just process HR tasks — you will help design and deliver the employee experience of the future, ensuring our people have the clarity, support, and culture they need to thrive.
Purpose of the Role
At The River, the Senior HR Generalist role is not an administrative back-office function — it is a front-line leadership position that connects employees, managers, and HR strategy in meaningful ways. This role blends operational excellence with a relentless focus on the employee experience, ensuring that every interaction with HR reinforces our values, strengthens our culture, and drives organizational performance.
The Senior HR Generalist will serve as both a builder and operator:
Building the shared services foundation of HR — policies, processes, and systems that scale.
Leading employee relations, compliance, and workforce support with fairness, rigor, and compassion.
Acting as a first point of contact and trusted advisor for employees and managers, solving problems with speed and clarity.
Driving forward the professionalization of HR operations at The River — raising the standard of service, data quality, and accountability.
This role requires someone who is energized by both big-picture transformation and day-to-day execution, who thrives in ambiguity, and who is motivated by the opportunity to shape an HR function into a modern, employee-centered, and high-performing engine.
What You Will Build & Lead
As a Senior HR Generalist, you will:
Shared Services Infrastructure
Establish scalable, efficient processes across the employee lifecycle — onboarding, benefits, leaves of absence, performance reviews, offboarding, and more.
Create clarity, documentation, and automation that make HR services simple, transparent, and user-friendly.
Employee Relations & Experience
Serve as the first line of response for employee relations issues, providing guidance, mediation, and resolution rooted in both fairness and organizational values.
Lead investigations, grievances, and compliance matters with professionalism, rigor, and consistency.
Actively shape the employee experience, ensuring HR interactions leave employees feeling supported and valued.
Operational Excellence & Data Integrity
Raise the bar for HR data quality, compliance, and reporting, ensuring we can rely on our systems to make sound decisions.
Partner with HRIS and People Analytics colleagues to ensure smooth system operations and leverage data for insights.
Manager Support & Capability Building
Provide hands-on guidance and coaching to managers on policies, employee relations, and performance management.
Build managers’ confidence and consistency in handling employee issues, helping them grow as people leaders.
Process Improvement & Automation
Identify inefficiencies in existing HR workflows and proactively design improvements.
Embrace digital tools and automation to simplify work, reduce errors, and enhance service delivery.
Experience & Qualifications
We are seeking an HR professional who blends operational mastery with people-centered leadership. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
HR Experience & Breadth
5–8 years of progressive HR experience, with a strong background in employee relations, HR operations, and compliance.
Prior experience supporting medium-to-large organizations with complex HR environments.
Employee Relations Expertise
Hands-on experience managing investigations, grievances, terminations, performance cases, and workplace conflict.
Ability to resolve sensitive issues with fairness, confidentiality, and alignment to values.
Operational & Compliance Knowledge
Working knowledge of FMLA, FERPA, ADA, Title IX, EEO, wage & hour, and other employment regulations.
Proven ability to ensure compliance while maintaining a positive employee experience.
Process Improvement & HR Technology
Experience creating, improving, and automating HR workflows.
Proficiency with HRIS systems (Workday and/or ADP strongly preferred).
Manager Coaching & Support
Demonstrated ability to coach, advise, and build capability in managers at multiple levels.
Skilled at balancing organizational accountability with employee care.
Mindset & Values Alignment
A proactive, roll-up-your-sleeves problem solver who thrives in building from scratch.
Deep alignment with The River’s values: service excellence, inclusion, innovation, accountability, and community.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field required.
HR certifications (SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR) preferred.
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Human Resources
Industries
Human Resources Services and Business Consulting and Services
Port St Lucie, FL; $65,000.00-$90,000.00
Get notified when a new job is posted.
#J-18808-Ljbffr