Sr. HR Specialist

Eternal Optimist•Louisville, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports a locally owned independent restaurant group across four concepts spanning full-service and fast casual formats. The Senior HR Specialist manages HR operations across all locations, supporting recruitment, onboarding, employee documentation, benefits, compliance, and day-to-day administrative functions. This is a combination administrative and HR generalist role that advises managers while also handling the operational and administrative side of HR and the business. The position reports to the VP of Restaurant Operations and works closely with the VP of Culinary Operations and operating partners. This role requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to prioritize across competing demands with minimal direction. It is a hands-on, onsite position and is not remote. Flexibility for evening and weekend hours, to meet the needs of the team, is expected on an as needed basis.

Requirements

3–5+ years of HR experience
Knowledge of FLSA, wage and hour laws, and tip credit compliance
Experience with HRIS and payroll systems; ADP experience preferred
Familiarity with collective bargaining agreements and basic union relations
Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, independent restaurant group undergoing organizational growth
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust across a diverse hourly and salaried workforce

Nice To Haves

Hospitality or high-volume hourly workforce experience preferred
HR certification (SHRM-CP or PHR) preferred, not required

Responsibilities

Coordinate hiring across all restaurants, including: posting jobs, screening applicants, interviewing, and managing offer letters. Includes creation and management of postings and processes within the HRIS and maintaining applicant files for compliance.
Lead new employee onboarding including all required documentation, review and management of handbooks and policies, benefit options overview, and completion of required information in the HRIS.
Maintain employee files within the HRIS and conduct regular audits to ensure accuracy in records and compliance.
Serve as an accessible, trusted first point of contact for employee questions and concerns across all locations, escalating to the VP of Restaurant Operations and ownership as appropriate.
Support grievance management at two fast casual locations with unionized hourly workforces and ensure CBA compliance at those locations.
Manage the day-to-day relationship with ADP, ensuring all documentation is provided and questions are answered for timely and accurate payroll processing.
Administer benefits enrollment, communications, and changes.
Administer unemployment claims and workers’ compensation claim filings. Support communication between the groups and employees.
Track employee certifications, training, disciplines, and required documentation within the HRIS with notifications for expiration.
Assist with employee relations documentation and investigations; coach managers as needed. Assist with attendance tracking management.
Support and lead all employee compliance efforts. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
Help administer training programs for managers and staff.
Track labor compliance. Work with VP of Restaurant Operations to determine key HR performance indicators and track metrics.
Support leadership with organizational culture and retention initiatives.
Manage business licenses and permit renewals across all locations, oversee incoming mail and correspondence, and handle light office management tasks that keep day-to-day operations running smoothly.