We are looking for a capable, hands-on HR Generalist to join our New York team. Reporting to the Head of HR - US, you will become the operational backbone of HR for our US business, which makes this a broad, varied role with genuine ownership from day one.
Employee relations sits at the heart of the role. You will be the first point of contact for US employees and managers on the majority of day-to-day people matters directly with confidence, partnering with the Head of HR - US on the most complex or sensitive issues.
Alongside employee relations, you will own a wide span of operational HR – policy and compliance, HR systems and records, payroll coordination, benefits administration, immigration administration, and the full employee lifecycle. You will sit within a global HR team spanning London and Hong Kong, working to ensure employees enjoy a consistent, welcoming experience wherever they are based. An interest in supporting social activities, bringing people together, and considering actions through an EDI and Sustainability lens will be warmly welcomed.
This is an exciting time to join a growing business, where you will play a key role in shaping the way we work.
Employee Relations
- Act as the first point of contact for US employees and managers on day-to-day employee relations matters, providing timely, empathetic, and pragmatic advice.
- Manage employee relations matters end to end – including leaves of absence, complaints, disciplinary matters, and performance concerns – escalating complex, high-risk, or sensitive cases to the Head of HR - US.
- Support and, where appropriate, conduct investigations, ensuring accurate documentation and fair, consistent outcomes.
- Coach and guide line managers through performance conversations, feedback, and informal resolution, building their confidence and capability.
- Maintain accurate, confidential records of all ER activity and track themes to surface trends and recommend improvements.
- Maintain and regularly review US HR policies and the employee handbook, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local requirements (including NY/NYC and multi-state), and escalating material changes to the Head of HR - US.
- Maintain compliance records and support statutory and regulatory reporting obligations.
- Administer immigration and work-authorization processes, including record-keeping for visas, secondments, and relocations, coordinating with external counsel and the Head of HR - US as needed.
- Serve as the primary US administrator for HR systems (Hibob and TriNet), maintaining accurate, up-to-date records and strong data integrity.
- Manage the operational HR budget for the US business, tracking spend against budget and managing day-to-day vendor relationships within agreed parameters.
- Own employee lifecycle administration, including offer letters, contractual changes, salary and promotion letters, resignations, and template management, ensuring timely and accurate communication.
- Produce and analyze HR data to support decision-making and recommend business and team improvements.
- Provide day-to-day administration of US employee benefits, acting as a knowledgeable first point of contact for employee queries.
- Support the annual benefits renewal and open enrolment process – with a view to leading operational delivery over time – ensuring smooth execution and clear employee communication.
- Own employee onboarding and offboarding, partnering with line managers to deliver a consistent, welcoming, and smooth experience.
- Conduct stay and exit interviews, analysing feedback to identify retention and engagement themes, and sharing insight and recommendations with managers and the Head of HR - US.
- Manage the Buddy scheme for new starters and conduct onboarding check-ins, summarizing feedback for managers where appropriate.
- Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion through proactive engagement, initiatives, and events.
- Work closely with HR colleagues in London and Hong Kong to ensure a consistent employee experience across PEI, wherever colleagues are based.
- Support ad hoc HR projects and wider people initiatives as the US business grows.
About You
Essential Experience:
- Solid HR generalist experience (typically three or more years), ideally in a fast-paced or international business.
- Demonstrable employee relations experience, including managing issues independently.
- Working knowledge of US federal and state employment law (New York / multi-state advantageous).
- Experience administering a mid-tier HRIS (Hibob or similar).
- Experience administering employee benefits.
- Strong administrative discipline and accurate record-keeping.
- Experience working with a US-based PEO (e.g. TriNet).
- Supporting more than one location across time zones.
- Maintaining HR policies and employee handbooks.
- Exposure to immigration / visa administration.
- Working in an environment where EDI or ESG considerations are a priority.
- Strong relationship building and collaboration skills across all levels of the business.
- An ownership mindset with curiosity to problem-solve.
- Discretion and confidentiality.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Exceptionally organized, with strong time management and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Consistent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Confident with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and workplace communication tools (Slack, Zoom).
- HR qualification (aPHR, PHR, SHRM-CP or working towards one).
About Us
HR Generalist in City of London employer: PEI Group
PEI Group is an excellent employer that values diversity and fosters a collaborative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and training, ensuring that our team members excel in their roles while contributing to the integrity of our data products. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment where your attention to detail and commitment to quality will be recognised and rewarded.
