Senior HR Generalist / HR Business Partner

Location: Kirkland, WA
Job Type: Direct Hire | Fully On-Site (No Hybrid or Remote Options)

About the Company

Our client is a premier real estate and construction firm specializing in high-end, multi-million-dollar homes. Originally founded as a husband-and-wife business, the company has grown into a fast-paced, innovative team committed to excellence, efficiency, and craftsmanship. With a strong focus on detail and quality, they are passionate about building top-tier homes while fostering a tight-knit, collaborative culture.

As they continue to expand, they are seeking an experienced Senior HR Generalist or HR Business Partner to establish and lead their HR function from the ground up. This is a unique opportunity to shape policies, drive talent acquisition, and implement HR best practices in a company that values problem-solving and continuous improvement.

📌 This is a direct hire position, and the role is fully on-site in Kirkland, WA. The company is NOT flexible with hybrid or remote work.

Position Overview

As the Senior HR Generalist / HR Business Partner, you will be responsible for building and managing the HR department from scratch. You will oversee recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, benefits administration, and overall HR strategy. You will play a pivotal role in establishing policies, driving engagement, and supporting leadership with workforce planning.

This position requires a hands-on, strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is comfortable handling a variety of HR responsibilities. You will also be responsible for tracking and reporting HR metrics to support company decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

HR Strategy & Department Development

• Establish and implement HR policies, processes, and best practices tailored to the company’s needs.

• Serve as a strategic partner to leadership, advising on workforce planning and HR-related decisions.

• Develop and maintain a structured framework for hiring, onboarding, performance management, and employee engagement.

• Create and manage HR reports, tracking key metrics such as hiring trends, employee retention, and engagement levels.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Manage the entire hiring process, ensuring a structured and efficient recruitment strategy.

• Oversee a thorough multi-stage interview process, which includes:

  • 20-minute phone screening

  • On-site panel interview with managers

  • Second on-site interview with team members

  • Potential trial workday (full working interview)

• Ensure all open roles are filled within a 30-day timeline and maintain a turnover rate of less than 10%.

• Develop and implement a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding plan for new hires.

HR Compliance & Policy Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws.

• Develop and maintain the company’s Employee Handbook, reviewing and updating policies as needed.

• Address HR policy violations and implement corrective actions within five business days.

Employee Relations & Retention

• Serve as a trusted resource for employees, addressing workplace concerns and resolving conflicts effectively.

• Conduct regular engagement surveys, aiming for a 90% employee satisfaction rate.

• Maintain a 95% retention rate for key roles beyond one year.

• Facilitate team-building initiatives and company culture programs to foster a positive work environment.

Compensation, Payroll, & Benefits Administration

• Oversee payroll processing, ensuring a 99% accuracy rate.

• Manage benefits enrollment and administration, ensuring 100% of eligible employees are enrolled.

• Ensure company salaries remain at or above industry standards through benchmarking.

Training & Development

• Implement professional development initiatives, ensuring 75% of employees complete at least one training program per year.

• Create an internal Training Video Vault within 90 days to streamline onboarding and compliance training.

Culture & Employee Engagement

• Develop and manage employee recognition programs, achieving 100% adoption by managers.

• Organize company events and team-building activities, ensuring full participation.

• Maintain a 100% engagement score based on employee surveys.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in HR, preferably in a generalist or business partner capacity.

• Proven experience building HR policies and departments from the ground up.

• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.

• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growing company.

• Experience with HR reporting and data-driven decision-making.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 DOE

• Paid Time Off: 3 weeks PTO + 8 Federal Holidays

• Mileage Reimbursement: IRS standard rate

• Phone Allowance: $50/month

• Health & Dental Benefits

• 401(k) Plan: 4% company matching

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance