HR Generalist

Knitwell Group • New York, NY

20d • $80,000 - $85,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The HR Generalist is part of the HR Business Partner team and provides day-to-day HR partnership and operational support for leaders and associates across the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands. The role collaborates with HR Business Partners and HR Centers of Expertise to support a consistent, positive associate experience in a fast-paced corporate retail environment. It is based in the Times Square office in New York, is primarily in-office, and works four days per week in the NYC office, with flexibility noted in the posting.

The HR Generalist supports the full associate lifecycle, including onboarding and offboarding, employee relations, performance management and development, HR programs, workforce administration, reporting, and analytics. The role also supports organizational design and workforce planning, talent acquisition, leave and policy processes, compliance and documentation, HR operations and data, budget and headcount planning, and contingent workforce administration. The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, solutions-oriented, discreet, professional, and comfortable navigating ambiguity and interacting with leaders at all levels.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Three years of HR experience in a fast-paced professional environment, including hands-on employee relations work and knowledge of applicable employment laws.
• Experience with HRIS data and ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and AI-enabled productivity tools, including Microsoft Copilot, and ability to use AI responsibly to improve research, analysis, drafting, and workflow efficiency.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving, organization, project management, and communication skills, with exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• Professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and adaptability.
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively and thrive in an environment that supports continuous learning and growth.

Nice To Haves

• Workday experience.
• Experience with pivot tables, lookup functions, or similar analytical tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage new-hire onboarding, including pre-start communication, orientation, check-ins, and ongoing program updates.
• Coordinate offboarding and conduct and document exit interviews.
• Respond to associate questions and concerns consistently, empathetically, and urgently.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to coach leaders and associates, support performance improvement plans, address employee relations matters, and participate in workplace investigations with Legal.
• Support performance management, development planning, talent assessments, engagement surveys, internship programs, and other talent initiatives and events.
• Support organizational design activities, maintain organizational charts, and coordinate workforce changes and restructurings.
• Provide accurate requisition details and current job descriptions; coordinate with Talent Acquisition and hiring leaders; and participate in interviews as needed.
• Guide associates through leaves of absence and policy-related processes, escalating complex matters when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records related to employee relations, performance, engagement, corrective action, and workplace safety.
• Support policy administration, internal audits, Form I-9 compliance, OSHA reporting, and other applicable requirements.
• Process associate changes and separations in Workday and maintain data integrity.
• Prepare HR reports and workforce insights for HR Business Partners and business leaders.
• Partner with Finance and Compensation on headcount planning, compensation activity, and payroll budget management for assigned client groups.
• Manage contingent workers for assigned client groups in partnership with the staffing agency and maintain accurate workforce reporting.

Benefits

• Merchandise discount at select KnitWell Group brands, subject to each brand’s discount policies.
• Support for individual development and opportunities for career mobility within the family of brands.
• Local volunteer opportunities, annual donation and volunteer match for eligible nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic activities supporting communities.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid time off and holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level