Job description

Job Title: HR Generalist II Job Description The HR Generalist II administers human resources policies and procedures across multiple functional areas, with a strong focus on investigations, performance management, compensation, and general HR inquiries. This role collects and analyzes HR data, provides recommendations to leadership, and ensures HR processes and documentation are completed accurately and on time. The position offers exposure to a unique pool model, allowing you to support a variety of organizations and teams while building broad corporate HR experience, particularly in employee relations and performance management. Responsibilities • Administer human resources policies and procedures that span at least two functional areas, ensuring consistent and compliant application across the organization. • Collect, analyze, and interpret HR data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities, and make clear, actionable recommendations to management. • Lead and conduct HR investigations, including gathering facts, interviewing involved parties, documenting findings, and partnering with Employee Relations and Legal as needed. • Manage and support performance management processes, including coaching leaders on performance discussions and helping employees understand expectations and feedback. • Support compensation-related activities, including handling compensation inquiries, clarifying pay structures, and partnering with Compensation teams on issues and adjustments. • Respond to and resolve general HR inquiries from employees and managers, providing timely, accurate, and customer-focused guidance. • Process HR paperwork and transactions according to established procedures, maintaining accurate records and documentation. • Prepare and deliver internal employee communications related to compensation, benefits, policies, and other HR programs, using clear and professional language. • Collaborate closely with Employee Relations, Legal partners, HR Business Partners, Compensation Partners, and other internal teams to address HR issues and drive aligned solutions. • Apply strategic HR thinking to support organizational goals, using data and insights to influence decisions and improve HR processes. • Use strong technical skills, including MS Office Suite and collaboration tools, to manage cases, track investigations, and document HR activities. • Utilize AI tools and prompt creation where appropriate to enhance HR workflows, data analysis, and communication efficiency. • Demonstrate customer obsession by focusing on employee experience, building trust, and delivering high-quality HR support. • Exhibit a strong learning mindset by staying curious, seeking new information, and continuously improving HR practices and personal knowledge. • Perform a variety of HR tasks under general supervision, relying on judgment and a degree of creativity and latitude to plan and accomplish goals within established guidelines. Essential Skills • Minimum of 2 years of relevant corporate HR experience, preferably in a multi-functional human resources role. • Demonstrated HR investigations experience, including conducting investigations, documenting findings, and partnering with Employee Relations and Legal. • Strategic HR experience, with the ability to use HR data and insights to influence decisions and improve processes. • Experience in performance management and compensation, including supporting managers and employees through related processes and inquiries. • Strong corporate HR experience with familiarity with standard HR concepts, practices, and procedures. • Ability to work under general supervision while exercising sound judgment, creativity, and latitude in planning and accomplishing goals. • Strong technical skills, including proficiency with MS Office Suite. • Ability to communicate effectively with employees, managers, and cross-functional partners in a clear and professional manner. • Comfort working in an open desk, onsite environment and engaging with multiple teams on a daily basis. Additional Skills & Qualifications • Bachelors degree in a related field is helpful but not required when the candidate has at least 2 years of relevant corporate HR experience. • Understanding of AI tools and the ability to create effective prompts to support HR workflows and data analysis. • Experience using communication platforms such as Slack or similar tools for internal collaboration. • Experience working in a pool model or supporting multiple organizations or business units is an advantage. • Familiarity with partnering closely with Employee Relations, Legal partners, HR Business Partners, and Compensation Partners. • Strong curiosity and desire to learn, with an interest in continuously improving HR practices and personal skills. • Customer-focused mindset, with a commitment to delivering a positive and supportive employee experience. Work Environment This is an onsite, corporate HR role based primarily at an open-desk workspace. Preferred locations include a major headquarters site in Arlington and a Seattle office, with flexibility between these locations as needed. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some flexibility depending on travel, as long as you are able to be onsite daily. Overtime, weekend, and holiday work are not expected. The work involves approximately 60% investigations and 40% performance management, compensation, and general HR inquiries, with frequent collaboration with Employee Relations, Legal, HR Business Partners, Compensation Partners, and other internal teams. The environment supports working with a unique pool model, enabling you to engage with many organizations on diverse HR matters and build broad experience in investigations, employee relations, compensation, and performance management. Dress expectations align with a professional corporate office setting. Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Arlington, VA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $31.00 - $33.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Arlington, VA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 26, 2026. Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Arlington,VA. About Aston Carter Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Requirements

Must-haves

Administer human resources policies and procedures that span at least two functional areas, ensuring consistent and compliant application across the organization.
Collect, analyze, and interpret HR data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities, and make clear, actionable recommendations to management.
Lead and conduct HR investigations, including gathering facts, interviewing involved parties, documenting findings, and partnering with Employee Relations and Legal as needed.
Manage and support performance management processes, including coaching leaders on performance discussions and helping employees understand expectations and feedback.
Support compensation-related activities, including handling compensation inquiries, clarifying pay structures, and partnering with Compensation teams on issues and adjustments.
Respond to and resolve general HR inquiries from employees and managers, providing timely, accurate, and customer-focused guidance.
Process HR paperwork and transactions according to established procedures, maintaining accurate records and documentation.
Prepare and deliver internal employee communications related to compensation, benefits, policies, and other HR programs, using clear and professional language.
Collaborate closely with Employee Relations, Legal partners, HR Business Partners, Compensation Partners, and other internal teams to address HR issues and drive aligned solutions.
Apply strategic HR thinking to support organizational goals, using data and insights to influence decisions and improve HR processes.
Use strong technical skills, including MS Office Suite and collaboration tools, to manage cases, track investigations, and document HR activities.
Utilize AI tools and prompt creation where appropriate to enhance HR workflows, data analysis, and communication efficiency.
Demonstrate customer obsession by focusing on employee experience, building trust, and delivering high-quality HR support.
Exhibit a strong learning mindset by staying curious, seeking new information, and continuously improving HR practices and personal knowledge.
Perform a variety of HR tasks under general supervision, relying on judgment and a degree of creativity and latitude to plan and accomplish goals within established guidelines.
Essential Skills
Minimum of 2 years of relevant corporate HR experience, preferably in a multi-functional human resources role.
Demonstrated HR investigations experience, including conducting investigations, documenting findings, and partnering with Employee Relations and Legal.
Strategic HR experience, with the ability to use HR data and insights to influence decisions and improve processes.
Experience in performance management and compensation, including supporting managers and employees through related processes and inquiries.
Strong corporate HR experience with familiarity with standard HR concepts, practices, and procedures.
Ability to work under general supervision while exercising sound judgment, creativity, and latitude in planning and accomplishing goals.
Strong technical skills, including proficiency with MS Office Suite.
Ability to communicate effectively with employees, managers, and cross-functional partners in a clear and professional manner.

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

Platform: phenom
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Pto