Senior People & Culture Generalist

Westside Justice Center•Chicago, IL

1d•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Westside Justice Center (WJC) is growing and expanding its administration team! Unleash your strategic management skills and make a difference with the Westside Justice Center. Join our mission-driven team as the Senior People & Culture Generalist and play a critical role in advancing access to justice in our communities. Founded in 2015, the Westside Justice Center (WJC) is not just a workplace—it is a community-centered Legal Aid clinic committed to eradicating barriers to justice and uplifting authentic community leadership. As the Senior People & Culture Generalist, you will play a key role in fostering an inclusive, values-driven, and mission-aligned workplace. This position supports the full employee life cycle—from recruitment and onboarding to engagement, development, and retention—ensuring that all people practices reflect the organization’s commitment to equity, transparency, and community. If you're a proactive individual with a passion for strengthening organizational culture, promoting employee well-being, and advancing equitable people systems, we invite you to join us in our mission.

Requirements

5+ years of progressively responsible HR or people operations experience, including demonstrated experience independently handling employee relations, performance management, employment compliance, and supervisor coaching
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Nonprofit Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Thorough knowledge of nonprofit employment structures, employment-related laws and regulations, compliance, and best practices
Deep alignment with WJC’s mission and values
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
Intercultural competence and emotional intelligence
Collaborative spirit and relationship-building skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities with care and professionalism
Integrity, discretion, and empathy in handling confidential matters
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
HRIS experience (Preferred BambooHR)
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace

Nice To Haves

HR certification (SHRM-CP, PHR, or similar) preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Champion a culture rooted in belonging, collaboration, and respect.
Coordinate new hire onboarding to ensure staff feel welcomed, supported, and connected to the mission.
Serve as a trusted resource for employee inquiries and concerns; providing guidance and resolution to personnel issues such as poor performance, employee conflicts, and manager-employee disputes
Promote a positive work culture by drafting and implementing the annual People & Culture Plan, which includes employee recognition, wellness, engagement surveys and action plans, culture- and spirit-building activities, and individual and organization-wide learning opportunities
Oversee employee benefits offerings and services (known as Total Rewards) by liaising with benefit service providers, meeting with employees to track benefits, and reporting on Total Rewards
Partner with supervisors to implement and sustain equitable performance management practices.
Coach supervisors on feedback, communication, and employee development.
Support implementation of learning and development programs aligned with mission and values.
Lead recruitment, ensuring relevant candidate pools and fair hiring practices.
Manage job postings, candidate communications, and interview logistics, and support leadership in determining salary bands.
Screen candidates and make hiring recommendations.
Coordinate orientation and onboarding to ensure new staff members integrate smoothly into the team and culture.
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.
Create and communicate People and Culture policies and procedures that align with WJC's mission, vision, and values.
Consult external counsel to ensure legal compliance in WJC policies and procedures.
Maintain accurate and confidential personnel files.
Review employee timesheets and supervisor payroll approvals.
Operationalize equitable practices across all HR functions, from resume screening to performance reviews.
Support culture-building activities and community learning opportunities.
Collect and analyze workforce data to inform continuous improvement and accountability.