HR Operations Generalist

Illumination

HR Operations Generalist overseeing payroll, benefits, and HRIS management at Illumination. Focusing on compliance, employee leaves, and day-to-day HR operations for the studio.

Posted 5/11/2026full-timeSanta Monica • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $80,000 - $95,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own and manage biweekly payroll processing, partnering with Payroll to ensure accuracy; audit payroll data, verify timesheets, wage calculations, deductions, and withholdings, and resolve discrepancies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for any employee related inquiries.
Administer and maintain the HRIS (UKG Pro), ensuring accuracy of company and employee data, process workflows, automated file feeds, end of year processes; liaise with UKG consultants as needed to troubleshoot issues and implement system enhancements.
Administer employee benefits programs, including new hire enrollments, life events, and open enrollment; coordinate employee education sessions. Work closely with Benefit Brokers and UKG Pro for new benefit implementations and enrollment configurations.
Manage employee leaves of absence, including CFRA, FMLA, PDL, PFL, ADA accommodations, and workers’ compensation, ensuring full compliance with federal and California regulations. Knowledge in New York and Connecticut leave law is a plus.
Maintain and update the Employee Handbook to ensure alignment with current laws, regulations, and business practices.
Ensure the company’s required Compliance: Maintain accurate and compliant personnel files, training records, and employment documentation.
Proactively and monitor changes in federal, state, and local employment laws (with an emphasis on California) and support the implementation of compliant policies and practices.
Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, including new hire documentation, I-9 compliance, benefits enrollment, final pay coordination, and exit interviews.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of HR operations, documentation, and standard operating procedures using HR best practices.
Perform additional duties as needed to support evolving business priorities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of experience in HR generalist, payroll, and/or benefits administration roles.
Hands-on experience with HRIS platforms, preferably UKG Pro
Strong working knowledge of federal and California employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, leaves of absence, and workplace accommodations.
Experience supporting payroll and HR operations for a small California-based workforce.
Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.
Proven ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
Proactive, solutions-oriented, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and their family
401(k)
paid time off
tuition reimbursement
a variety of other perks

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

payroll processingHRISUKG Proemployee benefits administrationcompliance managementonboardingoffboardingwage calculationsleaves of absence managementemployment documentation

Soft Skills

organizational skillsattention to detailwritten communicationverbal communicationdiscretionproblem-solvingconflict-resolutiondecision-makingproactive mindsetability to manage multiple priorities