Senior HR Generalist

OBAYASHI CORPORATION is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Senior HR Generalist to join our team. This role manages day-to-day human resources operations and serves as the primary point of contact for employee relations, recruitment, benefits administration, and policy compliance. Handle onboarding, performance management, and HRIS data maintenance, requiring strong interpersonal skills and knowledge of employment laws. This versatile role supports both salaried and hourly employees across NACG (North American Civil Group), ensuring compliance and enhancing the employee experience.  This role will be based in Foster City, CA, and will report to the Vice President, Strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ownership of HR tasks and outcomes: mobilization/onboarding, job changes, separations, leave coordination, and benefits support delivered with urgency and accuracy.
• Partner with project office managers to provide HR support to field operations
• Maintain employee personnel records and ensure HR documentation compliance
• Develop job descriptions, sourcing and screening candidates, conducting initial interviews, and collaborating with hiring managers to identify staffing needs
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee inquiries, mediating conflicts, addressing grievances, and conducting internal investigations.
• Oversee employee benefit programs (health insurance, retirement plans, leave of absence) and ensure accurate payroll processing.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory reporting requirements across multiple states and public works (ex. Davis Bacon, prevailing wage, etc.)
• Support union labor administration and coordination activities as needed
• Assisting managers with performance appraisals, setting goal-setting frameworks, and documenting performance improvement plans.
• Coordinate employee training and development, and compliance training
• Assist in developing scalable HR policies, procedures, and organizational systems
• Help establish HR infrastructure and best practices for a growing organization
• Develop and maintain HR templates, workflows, and process documentation
• Assist NACG leadership with organizational communication and change management initiatives
• The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, those listed above, and other duties may be assigned

Education & Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Human Resources, or related field.
• 5 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2 years in a generalist or senior-level role.
• Experience in the construction industry is required.
  

Skills:

• Able to build trust with project leadership - communicates clearly without ‘HR-speak’.
• Ability to perform detailed analysis and apply business acumen to develop insightful value-added solutions/process improvements.
• Demonstrated field-first HR approach—prioritizes jobsite operational needs while ensuring compliance and consistency.
• High initiative, strong judgment, and ability to provide solutions.
• Excellent communication skills between jobsites and the Home Office.  

Qualifications:

• Experience supporting heavy civil and/or underground projects required.
• Experience with union and non-union work environments.
• Experience with multi-state compliance, including federal compliance.
• Versatility and the ability to work on multiple software platforms are required.
• Familiarity with Viewpoint Vista HR software is preferred.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR certification is preferred.

Working Conditions

• Office-based with occasional travel to project sites, depending on business needs.
  

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Anticipated Salary Range:  $90,000-$120,000 USD / yr

In accordance with California state law, Obayashi Corporation is committed to providing clear and transparent information regarding the compensation for this position. The final salary offered will be based on various factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and relevant market considerations. This salary range reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this role within California. Compensation in other states may vary based on local market conditions and applicable regulations. We strive to offer competitive and fair compensation across all locations.

Benefits:  

Obayashi Offers Competitive Market Salaries and Benefits Packages, including: 

• Medical PPO Plan and HDHP
• Dental DPO Plan 
• Vision Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Employee Assistance Program  
• Life Insurance   
• Disability Insurance 
• 401K Matching
• Paid Time Off, Holiday, and Sick Leaves
• and more..
  

Employee benefits are 100% covered by Obayashi, and family coverage is covered at 80%. 

About Obayashi   

Obayashi Corporation has delivered quality solutions to infrastructure challenges across the globe for more than 130 years. Founded in 1892, Obayashi is the largest Japanese Contractor and the fourth-largest International Contractor conducting business in the United States. Obayashi has been operating and completing projects in the United States since 1979. Obayashi provides a full range of general contractor services in both public works and private sectors including: office buildings, residences, tunnels, highways, rail systems, bridges, artificial islands, airports and nuclear power plants. Other services include urban planning and architecture, real estate and property development, environmental, and waste services. The North American Operations consolidated revenue is over $3 billion in the United States and Canada.

Equal Opportunity Employer   

Obayashi Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. The Company is committed to compliance with all applicable laws, providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of the Company, including supervisors and coworkers.

To comply with applicable laws ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, the Company will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or an employee unless undue hardship would result. If you need accommodation to complete the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department by either visiting Obayashi Corporation at 950 Tower Lane, Ste 800, Foster City, CA 94404 or call (650) 952-4910.