Fractional HRBP / HR Generalist

About the role

This role delivers human-centric HR solutions for a client based in Chicago. It focuses on M&A integration and operational excellence in a hybrid, project-based engagement. You will act as a strategic HR partner, advising client stakeholders on complex people challenges during periods of change. The position requires you to navigate ambiguity while maintaining a high standard of professionalism and discretion. You will leverage Paylocity and other tools to drive accurate reporting and efficient HR workflows. Success in this role depends on your ability to build trust quickly and communicate effectively with senior leadership. You will own end-to-end responsibilities that directly influence integration outcomes and employee experience.

Key facts

What you'll do

Drive end-to-end HR operations in a hybrid, project-based model focused on M&A integration for a Chicago-based client.

Support due diligence activities, integration planning, and workforce transition initiatives to ensure smooth execution.

Configure and optimize HR systems such as Paylocity to handle day-to-day operations, compliance, and data accuracy.

Analyze and interpret HR metrics to generate insights that inform executive decision-making and stakeholder communication.

Serve as the primary HR advisor, delivering clear guidance and solutions to cross-functional partners in a consultative capacity.

Manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining ownership of deliverables and timelines.

Champion change management practices to support employee adoption and minimize disruption during transitions.

Maintain strict adherence to multi-state compliance requirements, with a focus on Illinois employment law to mitigate risk.

Act as the key point of contact for client engagements, ensuring consistent and professional executive-level communication.

Leverage project-based frameworks to adapt to variable scope, ensuring flexibility without compromising quality or outcomes.

Utilize tools and workflows to streamline reporting, enabling transparent and timely insights for leadership stakeholders.

Demonstrate adaptability by navigating ambiguous requirements and delivering results despite shifting priorities and timelines.

Build long-term relationships with client contacts, fostering collaboration and trust through consistent delivery of value.

Contribute to the livingHR talent community by participating in talent development and continuous improvement of service offerings.

Requirements

The posting states a bachelor's degree requirement. Paylocity experience is required, with hands-on configuration, reporting, and day-to-day HR operations.

Demonstrated M&A HR experience, including due diligence support, integration planning, and workforce transition activities.

5+ years in an HRBP or HR Generalist role, ideally within a consulting, professional services, or multi-client environment.

Availability to work on-site in Chicago on a hybrid schedule as client needs require.

Experience working directly with clients in consulting, professional services, PEOs, or agencies.

Strong advisory, stakeholder management, and executive communication skills for professional engagements.

Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, client-facing environment while managing competing priorities.

Comfort working in flexible, project-based engagements with variable scope and timelines.

Nice to have

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or platform certifications to validate expertise.

Experience supporting PE-backed or high-growth organizations through rapid change and transformation.

Familiarity with multi-state HR compliance, particularly Illinois employment law, to mitigate regulatory risk.

Willingness to travel occasionally as client needs require for in-person support.

Practical notes

Work is delivered through livingHR's talent community, with opportunities considered over time. Typical interview steps

Marketing interviews often include a portfolio review, a campaign exercise, and analytics questions. Candidates may be asked to plan a launch, write a brief, or improve a funnel. Some loops include a presentation. Results from past campaigns carry the most weight. Interviewers ask about specific campaigns you ran and what the numbers said. Preparing a short case of one campaign with its results is strong preparation.

Good to know

The role centers on HR operations, M&A integration, and consultative advising in a professional services context.

Tools such as Paylocity are used for HR workflows, data management, and reporting.

Success requires adaptability, stakeholder influence, and comfort with project-based engagements.

The position supports client organizations in Chicago and may involve occasional travel.

People-focused, outcome-driven practices help improve workplace experiences and business alignment.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.

Career growth

Marketing careers move from associate to manager, director, and VP levels. Specializations include growth, brand, product marketing, and content. Generalists often start, then specialize as they advance. Measured impact on pipeline and revenue drives progression. Marketing careers reward measurable results and adaptability. Channel experience plus business sense usually beats a general resume.

About the company

Let us introduce ourselves. livingHR is the remote-first, professional services "work agency" created to make work better. We have served over 400+ organizations to provide human-centric, future-of-work ready, HR-managed services, professional services, and products to augment HR and People functions around the world.