Demo

HR Operations & Special Projects Lead

Lensa
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 12/31/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/29/2026
Lensa is a career site that helps job seekers find great jobs in the US. We are not a staffing firm or agency. Lensa does not hire directly for these jobs, but promotes jobs on LinkedIn on behalf of its direct clients, recruitment ad agencies, and marketing partners. Lensa partners with DirectEmployers to promote this job for BRIDGE Housing. Clicking "Apply Now" or "Read more" on Lensa redirects you to the job board/employer site. Any information collected there is subject to their terms and privacy notice.

Summary

The HR & Special Projects Lead is a hands-on, execution-focused role supporting two senior principals who work closely with executive leadership. This position serves as a central coordinator and follow-through owner—ensuring priorities are tracked, communications are managed, and work moves forward efficiently.

In addition to core HR coordination responsibilities (onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, HRIS support, and compliance), this role plays a key part in special projects and operational execution. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-driven, self-directed, and comfortable operating with limited direction in a fast-paced environment.

This is not an entry-level HR role and not an executive assistant position. It is a doer role requiring initiative, responsiveness, and accountability for outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leadership & Special Projects Support
  • Act as a primary coordination partner to two senior principals, helping manage priorities, workflows, and follow-up
  • Serve as a gatekeeper for communications, assisting with high-volume email and ensuring urgent or high-impact items are addressed
  • Attend meetings, capture clear notes, decisions, action items, owners, and deadlines
  • Maintain task trackers and project lists; proactively follow up to ensure execution and completion
  • Drive special projects independently from start to finish, identifying next steps without needing detailed instruction
  • Coordinate across teams to keep work aligned, on track, and moving forward
  • Anticipate issues, flag risks early, and propose solutions
  • Maintain organized documentation, trackers, and files related to projects and decisions

HR Operations & Administration

  • Administer and support HR programs including onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, HRIS updates, employee files, and compliance tracking
  • Onboarding : Manage end-to-end onboarding processes including offer documentation, background checks, new hire paperwork, HRIS setup, orientation coordination, and 30/60/90-day check-ins
  • Offboarding : Coordinate resignation and termination processes, required documentation, exit packets, and system updates
  • Benefits : Support benefits administration including enrollments, changes, renewals, and open enrollment support; respond to employee benefit questions
  • Maintain accurate and compliant employee records, including personnel files, onboarding documents, and HRIS data; assist with audits, legal requests, and reporting as needed
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for the HR inbox and helpdesk, responding promptly to employee inquiries
  • Compile and maintain documentation for compliance, reporting, and annual HR requirements
  • Support HR projects and initiatives as needed, including recruitment coordination, job postings, offer support, and reference checks

Required Experience & Qualifications

  • 2 years of experience in HR coordination, HR operations, or a similar execution-focused role
  • Strong understanding of HR processes including onboarding, offboarding, benefits, and employee records
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail—this role does not work without them
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal oversight
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Self-starter with a bias toward action and follow-through
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with limited direction and evolving priorities
  • High level of professionalism, discretion, and judgment
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR systems; ADP experience a plus
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred (or equivalent experience)

Working Style & Expectations

  • This role requires high responsiveness and follow-through
  • Extended hours may be required during peak periods (open enrollment, audits, major projects)
  • Success depends on ownership, initiative, and the ability to execute without hand-holding

Working Conditions

  • In-office
  • Standard workweek with flexibility based on workload demands

Physical requirements

  • Ability to remain in a stationary (standing and/or seated) position more than half the time
  • Ability to operate machinery and/or equipment that requires the constant use of hands/fingers/wrists more than half the time
  • Ability to spend more than half the time viewing computer monitors
  • Ability to move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 25 pounds without assistance

If you have questions about this posting, please contact support@lensa.com

Salary.com Estimation for HR Operations & Special Projects Lead in Chicago, IL
$74,515 to $90,647
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